Part-time Jobs vs. Holiday Jobs

You’re working your way through university or college, and you need some money… The last thing you want to do is get a job that requires lots of time and will affect your studies.

You know you have to get a student job, but a new dilemma hits you. Do you work during term-time and get a part-time job? Although part-time jobs are popular and fairly easy to come by, there is the possibility that it will affect both your studies and your socializing. There is nothing worse than having to work on a Friday night when all your mates are ready to go out and have some fun.

So, there are problems with part-time jobs – but what are your other options? Holiday jobs could be the answer. You have a few months off over the summer. You’re probably going to be back home, and have fewer things to do. With some full-time work over a few weeks you could save enough money to last you a few extra months when you go back to your college or university. What are the other benefits of holiday jobs?

Holiday Job Benefits

1. Opportunity to get some work experience – if you are with a big company that has permanent vacancies available, they may well ask you to come back after your studies.

2. Opportunity to build up your CV – holiday jobs allow you to show a potential employer that you have had experience, and have gained an understanding of that industry, or have gained some knowledge that may be relevant for your new position.

3. An opportunity for you to try a few different jobs to see what you are most interested in and what career most suits you.

4. Frequently a full-time holiday job will pay a weekly or monthly wage. This could easily work out better than an hourly part-time job rate, so with any job this is worth checking out!

Part-time Job Benefits

1. One of the greatest things about a part-time job is that it doesn’t have to take over your life. A couple of evening shifts here or there leaves you plenty of time to do the things you want to do.

2. Part-time jobs frequently involve work where you can earn more than your basic hourly wage. Part-time jobs such as bar work, waitering, etc. in general pay a pretty standard rate. Take into account tips and bonuses (and maybe food and drink) and all of a sudden the pay becomes pretty good! This is something you want to look into before taking any job.

3. Working over the holidays means you have less time for holidays – part-time jobs may take a few hours during your term, but at least you’ll have the whole holidays to do what you want to do.

If you do end up with the dilemma of choosing a part-time job or a holiday job always make sure of a few things. With proper research and a bit of luck anyone can get a job that they will both enjoy and earn reasonable money from.

(Abridged from the site http://www.e4s.co.uk/docs/part-time-jobs.htm)

Comprehension check

1. Match the words in A with their definitions in B. Refer back to the text if necessary. Translate them into your native language.

A	B
benefit	privileges granted to an employee by a company or corporation
tip	money that employees receive for doing their job
perks	pay given to an employee who is on a holiday or vacation
bonus	an amount of money paid at regular intervals
holiday pay	a small present of money for a service given or expected
wage	pay given to an employee who is away from work because of illness
pay cheque	a kind of award to employees beyond their normal pay
sick pay	advantage
salary	a way of referring to the amount of money that you earn

2. Match the verbs in A with the nouns in B. Some verbs can go with more than one noun.

A	B
to get	cash
to affect	job
to save	studies
to have	knowledge
to gain	experience
to take	shifts
to do	money
to earn