Cash Flow for the Fall
Job-Hunting Tips for College Students

If you're interested in entering college in the fall, chances are there will be many changes in your lifestyle, from adjusting to campus life to the increased workload of college courses. One of these changes does not have to be your access to spending money, however. If you like the freedom and cash that comes with working while in school, you're in luck. There are many ways in which you can earn money while getting an education.

You can look for a job on your own, either on or off campus. The advantages here are that you can earn more than minimum wage (if you serve tables, the tips can really add up!) and you may have more employment options from which to choose. The downside to working off campus is that some positions may require you to work full-time. Even jobs that want part-timers can still turn on the pressure for more hours. If the company or business has openings only for nights and weekends, that could put a damper on your study time and social life.

If you're a senior in high school, start early to plan for a job in the fall. If you know where you're headed for school, you can take several steps now to ensure your future cash flow.

1. Get a subscription to the college or university's campus newspaper. Most area businesses will run job openings in the classified section. Checking the paper weekly can give you a jump-start on the rest of campus.

2. If you are still planning a campus visit this spring, make sure to watch for help wanted signs posted in shop windows and on campus bulletin boards. If you find something in the campus paper prior to the visit, set up appointments to speak with employers while you're visiting.

3. Although most campus jobs are reserved for work-study programs, there are still some that are open to other students. The campus dining halls and library are good places to start. Find out which campus facilities are hiring by calling them directly or by looking for ads in the paper or on campus bulletin boards on your visits. If you find out they aren't hiring until the fall, make sure to get a contact name and number and call them as soon as you get to school. If they aren't hiring at all, give them your name and phone number anyway (some students may quit a job after the fall semester starts if their work load is too heavy or they find out they don't need the job). You can also ask the contact person if he or she knows of any on- or off-campus facilities that are hiring—and get names and numbers!

4. If the company or organization you currently work for has an office or franchise in the city where you'll be attending school, ask for a transfer. It may sound simple, but if you serve tables at an area Denny's or work behind the counter at McDonald's, you can ask your manager to put in a good word for you at the new city's franchise.

5. Another way to earn money, respect, and experience is to work for a professor or faculty member. You can build up your résumé and wallet by assisting a professor in your field of study. Some faculty members need help researching the molecular makeup of a moth, while others need help writing their dissertation. Whatever the cause, most professors can't handle teaching and research without a little help. And while some may not offer monetary compensation, it doesn't hurt to ask!

Whatever you decide, you should remember that most students do seek employment while in school. Most won't think to start looking until the fall, so you can get a head start on your search now. Looking early will be especially beneficial if you plan to attend school in a rural area—jobs there are even harder to find without a long commute to a larger town.