Going out of state for college, I have realized the financial burden placed upon myself as well as those who support me (my parents). Getting a job, basically, has taught me the real value of money in our society. I’ve worked everywhere from being a country club pool attendant, an ice cream scooper, a busser, a server, and even a camp counselor in the summer. For the most part, there are many positives that students often do not see when looking into working through school.

Yes, it is time-consuming. We all know we would rather be out on a weekend night rather than tending to tables, obviously. But working gives us the incentive to enjoy the actual time off that we do have, to the fullest.Yes, it will get in the way of school work. There have been plenty of times where I have been cut at work at 12 p.m. and still have 4 hours of homework due the next morning. This happens… The main thing to remember is simply that once these tasks are all finished, work, and school, others see that. Your friends admire your work and don’t see you as someone who has simply had things given to them. More importantly, your professors, as well as future employers, see the hard work you put in, and how well you manage time. Many future employers would rather have a student who had average grades and worked part time rather than simply a 4.0 student who has no work experience at all. Lastly, take one of those paychecks or large tip-outs, and embrace it. put it toward something you’ve been really wanting, a trip, a new toy, or even better, enjoy it with the people who have been waiting for you to get off work all day and all night… They mean the world when you clock-out.

I extend this letter to those who find it difficult struggling with both class professors and bosses in their other world. The two are not directly connected (unless you work on campus that is) but they do have a correlation. Just know, the hard work you’ve been putting in means a lot to others, as well as to yourself.

Keep it up, y’all.

Brandon