Six benefits of temporary work while you’re studying

For students, temp work can offer more than just monetary benefits. From flexible working conditions to the opportunity to bolster your CV and reference list, taking on something temporary can pay off in more ways than one.

Here are just some of the reasons to consider temping while studying:

1. Income

Perhaps most obviously, taking on a temporary role offers a way to make some extra cash. With living expenses continuing to increase, having an income, even just for a short while, can make a huge difference to your lifestyle and relieve any financial stress from potential tuition fees.

2. Experience

There are some things university can’t teach. Temporary work offers an opportunity to garner some real-world experience without committing to a permanent position. Soft skills such as time management, customer service, team work and communication are translatable across a variety of industries and after graduating, will indicate to prospective employers that you are more than capable of taking on a permanent role.

3. References and a stronger CV

The very nature of temporary work means it can brief and so, having a collection of temping experiences on your CV won’t put potential employers off. In fact, it could work in your favour, with an increased pool of possible references and an indication that you could adapt to a variety of situations. It also shows to any prospective employers that you are reliable and keen to take on more responsibility.

4. Flexibility

Committing to a part-time or casual job may require continuing to work during busy academic periods such as exams or assessment periods, adding additional stresses and pressure. With temporary work, you can commit to time periods that suit your lifestyle, deciding precisely when you work and how much you’d like to take on.

5. Career Testing

Temporary positions are needed across a huge variety of businesses, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to figure out what you like and don’t like about particular industries. For example, law students who temp in a law firm over a summer may discover that in fact, law isn’t what they want to do. By switching their major, they end up saving time and money in tuition fees and are one step closer to deciding what career they’d like to pursue.

6. Networking

Creating and maintaining relationships while temping can prove to be incredibly beneficial when looking for a position post-study. Having a network of knowledgeable professionals from a diversity of industries means a strong contact book to call on when the permanent job search begins, as well as a foot in the door at organisations you may have already worked for.

While balancing work and study may seem too arduous, especially at times of academic pressure like exams or assessments, temporary work offers the best of both worlds. With the flexibility to choose when you work and the opportunity to bolster your CV and reference list, temping can open doors to your preferred industry long before your permanent job search begins.

Looking for a temporary role? Our expert team of consultants can help, so register or get in touch to find out more.

Author Rebecca Siciliano Tiger Recruitment Team