How to Get a Job Whilst at University: A Realistic Student Guide
- Gleb Sokolovski
- Feb 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 13
If you are thinking about how to get a job whilst at university, you are probably feeling one of three things: broke, anxious about your CV, or slightly behind everyone else on LinkedIn.
First, relax.
I've done all the work-uni combos you can think of: part-time job alongside studies, summer internships, freelancing, and even starting my own company. So lemme tell you what actually works.
1. Decide Why You Want the Job
Do you need money right now? Do you want experience for your CV? Do you want connections? Or is it just something everyone is doing around you? (also a good reason to get a job dw)
Your answer changes the strategy.
If you need money urgently, prioritise flexible, reliable work. Hospitality is where it's at for that.
If you want experience, prioritise relevance. The pay or hours might not be pretty but it's definitely a worth while investment in yourself.
If you want connections, then it's events and networking you're after.
Clarity saves you months of wasted effort.
2. Apply Smarter, Not Harder
When figuring out how to get a job whilst at university, most students make the same mistake. They mass apply.
Twenty generic applications rarely beat five tailored ones.
Instead:
Rewrite your CV for each role
Match your skills directly to the job description
Keep it one page
Quantify everything
“Worked in a team” is weak. “Collaborated in a team of 5 to organise a 200 person event” is strong.
Also, walk into places. Might be scary but so worth it!
Cafes, bars, small businesses near campus. Managers often prefer someone confident enough to introduce themselves.
As a person who has been on both sides of the interview, I can confidently tell you:
Personality matters more than perfect grades!
3. Use Your University Ecosystem
Universities are full of hidden opportunities.
Check:
Department newsletters
Research assistant roles
Campus ambassador schemes
Student union jobs
Internships posted internally
Professors often need help with marking, research, or admin. These roles are usually less competitive than external jobs and look great on your CV.
You are already inside the system. Use that advantage.
4. A Job Is Not Always Necessary to Get Experience
Here is something most people do not tell you.
A job is not the only way to build experience.
If your goal is growth, responsibility, and something impressive to talk about in interviews, you can create that yourself.
Join a society and take on a committee role. Run marketing. Organise events. Manage sponsorships. Handle budgets. Suddenly you have leadership experience.
Or even better.
Build something.
Start a small project with your mates. It does not need to be the next unicorn startup. It could be:
A niche newsletter
A campus events platform
A tutoring network
A small app
A social media brand
When you build something from scratch, you learn sales, communication, design, operations, problem solving. That kind of experience is often more valuable than a random retail job.
Speaking from personal experience, creating something teaches you more about real world skills than most entry level roles ever will. Because you own the outcome.
Employers love initiative. And building something shows exactly that.
5. Balance Work and Grades
If you are learning how to get a job whilst at university, remember this: do not sacrifice your degree for a shift.
A part time job should support your life, not dominate it.
Be realistic about:
Maximum hours per week
Exam periods
Burnout signs
It is better to work 12 consistent hours per week and keep your grades strong than to exhaust yourself chasing extra cash.
Future you will care about long term positioning more than short term money.
6. Network Without Making It Weird
Networking does not mean awkwardly asking for favours.
It means being curious.
Talk to:
Older students who already have internships
Alumni
Society presidents
Guest speakers
Ask them how they got started. Most people are surprisingly open.
Sometimes your first job will come from someone remembering you were switched on and proactive.
Opportunities often travel through people, not job boards.
University is a three or four year sandbox. You can either pass through it quietly, or use it to experiment, earn, build, and grow.
Be strategic. Be proactive. And remember, you have more leverage than you think.
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