Juggling a part-time job while studying at university can be daunting, and having certain work restrictions as an international student in Scotland can make it feel all the more uncertain. Luckily, Edinburgh offers plenty of job opportunities for university students, both Scottish and international, especially here at QMU.
My personal requirements when first looking for a job included: part-time, flexible, and within the food and beverage industry, if not to do with social media, marketing, and theatrical or film production. As a Drama student, much of my time is eaten up by uni and personal projects that require extra rehearsals, readings and research galore.
Outside of that, there’s also society sessions, society socials, and my own personal time with friends and loved ones that I’m simply unwilling to give up. So, having something that would give me enough hours to support myself and wouldn’t require an enormous amount of additional energy was key. Since beginning my job search, I have acquired two massively beneficial roles that have absolutely hit the mark on the requirements and restrictions I had when searching for them.
Student Content Creator
The first is my job as a social media Student Content Creator (SCC) for QMU. In this role, I have gotten the chance to create a number of pieces of content for the university that have expanded my horizons not only as an artist, but as a student too. I’ve gotten to explore much of the uni’s offerings, in terms of support services and alumni benefits, as well as all the fun things, like ResLife trips, photography and video shoots for the wider marketing team. The hours are those of a contracted freelancer, as they come with the projects you pick up, so if I find myself without the time to commit to a project this month or the next, I notify my boss and spend that time committing to the set schedules I have, which brings me to my second job.
Serving and hosting
I also work as a server at a bar and restaurant. The role offers some flexibility, meaning I can often request time off when I need to prioritise university work or other commitments. During term time, my employer can schedule me around my university timetable and the 20-hour weekly work limit that applies to me, while also taking into account my changing availability throughout the year.
Summer vs term-time:
In times when the juggling ends, or at least takes a pause, jobs like these are still absolutely ideal. During summer and winter holidays, when I’m available for full-time work, I’m able to pick up more shifts or take on more intense and involved projects. It’s great for saving up for my spending during semesters, while also still allowing me to take some time off to go home and see my family back in California or explore the coast
(or the clubs) of Scotland with a few friends.
Wrap-up:
Whether you’re a first-year student or a third-year like me, the idea of mixing a full-course uni workload and a part-time job or two can seem intimidating. But after spending a few years trying to figure out what works for me, I can safely say that getting your work done, having fun, and making money to do it is incredibly feasible.
So don’t worry at all, you’ve got this!
