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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Weekend jobs

30 replies

Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 09:37

Has anyones child been successful in finding a weekend job to help pay their way through university.

For the last 2 years dd has been working on a Saturday assisting at kids drama classes but they closed due to Covid and although they are about to re-open half the classes have been dropped so they need less staff.

She's been looking for weeks now but everything that is advertised wants flexibility to be able to work weekdays and weekends. She is only available Saturdays and Sundays. She's very close to a major retail shopping outlet but there is nothing, lots of 20 hour per week contracts and temporary christmas vacancies but they want someone to start October/November through to January.

Are there any places known for employing student on a weekend who she could maybe write to on spec or any other ideas where to look?

OP posts:
Stopyourhavering64 · 10/09/2020 10:42

She could try student's Union for any jobs ( eg bar work , campus shop) ...although in current climate there may not be as many jobs going and they would probably want her to work weekday evenings as well
I think opportunities will be very limited this year

Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 11:05

There isn't a SU at her college. She is on a very practical, vocational course with high contact hours (to satisfy industry accreditation) She's in from 8.30am - 6.00pm Monday - Friday.

OP posts:
Frazzled6 · 10/09/2020 11:33

I can give her some ideas of flexible work when I'm home I will pm you..

muddledmidget · 10/09/2020 11:38

Supermarkets like tesco are flexible and employ for weekends or evenings. They also offer student transfers for during the holidays so she could transfer to a store close to home over Xmas

Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 12:00

At the moment Tesco are just recruiting for a full time shift leader and an early 5am-11am fresh food assistant but she will keep looking and asking.

OP posts:
AriettyHomily · 10/09/2020 12:02

I worked in McDonalds, lots of us did. breakfast shifts and late evening to fit around lectures and you progress pretty quickly on the payscale.

ClerkMaxwell · 10/09/2020 13:33

My 3 have done bar/hotel work, supermarket and McDonalds. The latter the most flexible as they are the most desperate for staff in our area. Being able to do some work during the week would help secure the job e.g. evenings or even Friday nights. DS2s tip is to apply for a job even if over the number of hours you want e.g. 20 when you really want 16, do these hours for a month and then ask to drop shifts or switch with others. Worked for him.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 13:58

I really think it would be asking too much of her to do evenings. She is absolutely exhausted after a full day of 8.30am - 6.00pm. Last year there were some evenings when she was in college until 7pm but she has dropped those classes this year as it was too much.

OP posts:
BalloonSlayer · 10/09/2020 14:12

@Frazzled6 could you pm me too please? Thank you.

AriettyHomily · 10/09/2020 14:34

@Comefromaway

I really think it would be asking too much of her to do evenings. She is absolutely exhausted after a full day of 8.30am - 6.00pm. Last year there were some evenings when she was in college until 7pm but she has dropped those classes this year as it was too much.
To be honest she beds to man up a bit, sorry. If she doesn't have the cash and wants the degree...
Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 14:41

I don't think you can tell a girl who since the age of 11 has left the house at 6.30am to go to school and not returned home until 7.30-7.45pm, every day for 5 years then did 2 years of a full time diploma from 8.00am - 6-7.00pm plus studied for A levels in her spare time to man up. During lockdown she had zoom college every day from 9.15am - 4.00pm. A levels were cancelled, her practical training was not.

Her course is 35 hours per week minimum and it is practical & physical, she doesn't get free periods.

OP posts:
Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 14:42

Her flatmates in halls have called her hours "insane"

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 10/09/2020 14:42

To be honest she needs to man up a bit, sorry. If she doesn't have the cash and wants the degree...

Being told to "man up" isn't very helpful Hmm. The OP's DD will no doubt have to fit in some self study on top of her contact hours.

Would you want to work a full time job with those hours and then do a second job in the evening?

Unfortunately there are people who are out of work and able to work more flexibly, so it is going to be harder than ever for students to find work.

Ginfordinner · 10/09/2020 14:44

Cross posted @Comefromaway. What is your daughter studying? She sounds like she isn't afraid of hard work.

roadsurvey · 10/09/2020 14:46

@Frazzled6

Why can you not post your 'ideas'

rbe78 · 10/09/2020 14:47

I found working during the uni holidays was more pratical than trying to find a job that would fit around classes/societies etc. The holidays are long enough that working full time during them got me thorugh term time.

Etinox · 10/09/2020 14:50

Does she have to work? Not in a Marie Antoinette way? But can she work in the holidays rather than during term time? That's a lot to juggle.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 14:54

Dance & Musical Theatre

OP posts:
titchy · 10/09/2020 15:03

Does she really need to work? She's in danger of not having enough time for uni work if she's in 35 hours a week and then spends her weekends working. Presumably she will also have research, assignments, exams, rehearsals as well. Why isn't her loan enough?

Pythonesque · 10/09/2020 18:51

Is there any teaching / tutoring she could do 1-1 or online?

PastaAndPizzaPlease · 10/09/2020 19:19

Look for student guide jobs at the college. Also called ambassadors or advocates. They’ll do open days and things like that. Good pay, and flexible.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 19:39

Open days are online this year. And they are expected to do guided tours etc as a matter of course. It’s all part of being a student there.

OP posts:
Gymntonic · 10/09/2020 20:36

Does she have any other work experience that might point the way? What does she plan to do after university? Local shops and garden centers advertise for Saturday staff around here but the positions go quickly atm
I agree that she might have to take on a bigger commitment initially just to get some experience and her foot in the door.

Original poster
Comefromaway · 10/09/2020 22:31

She volunteered at a local library during the summer holidays of year 11 and she’s been a class assistant at kids drama/dance classes for two years.

OP posts:
Serin · 11/09/2020 00:20

Halloween attractions start recruiting around now. They often take drama students.
Santa's elves are another possibility (if Chridtmas isnt cancelled).

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