How to Work Through College to Be Debt-Free

1. Don’t work so hard you burn yourself out

You don’t want to work so much that you end up burning out at college due to your working requirements. It could take you twice as long to pay off student debt if you drop out as opposed to if you finish your degree. So avoiding burnout should be one of your top priorities.

2. A small amount of work is better than none at all

It can be disheartening to learn that you can’t work through college debt-free, or that you’d have to stretch yourself pretty thin to do so. However, even a part-time or less than part-time job will still give you money that you can put toward your college tuition, reducing the amount you have to pay interest on. Even if you can’t do a lot of work, a small amount of work can help tremendously.

3. There are many great student jobs out there

Students need experience and flexibility, and many employers understand that. There are many jobs out there with flexible schedules and the ability to build experience. Many hiring managers market these jobs directly to students. A student job can be a great way to start creating experience for yourself so that your future resume shines.

4. Don’t settle for getting underpaid just because you’re a student

Even though you’re a student, you shouldn’t allow an employer to pay you less than you deserve. Your skills and time are still valuable, even if you’re a student. Remember that in most cases, your employer will still need to pay you at or above the minimum wage in your city and state, even if you’re working as a student.

5. Take a job that’s related to your future career

If you want to make use of your student job in your resume, take a job that’s in some way related to your career interests. An aspiring interior designer may take a job at a furniture store, while a future tax expert might work at a bank. This ensures that you can put these jobs on your resume and connect them to your career progression.