What part-time jobs and hours do uni students typically manage?

[Echobelly]

Obviously I know there is bar work/wait staff working stuff, but interested to know what people's kids who are uni students have done for work and how many hours they tend to do?

Oldest DC starts uni this year - we will pay for accommodation but want them to get a job for 'fun money' because for one thing we won't have much to spare after paying for accommodation, especially as they are probably going for a London uni. Also I think it will be good for them to learn money management (which they're not great at right now).

As I said, I know people will do bar working/wait staff, but DC is possibly autistic, and very sensitive/overwhelmed by loud noise and late nights, so bar staff may not be ideal. Do people manage to work as baristas, shop staff or delivery riders as well? They can ride a bike, though haven't done it for years - I think they should pick it up again over summer for both p/t work options and maybe saving travel money.

One of DD's friends works as a hospital cleaner.

When I was a (mature) student I did lots of call center work. Mostly market research, inbound and outbound sales. I even did debt collecting. This kind of work can be challenging as callers can be rude. However most companies give you akind of script to work from and which keeps the conversation on track.

Despite 2 years working full time at a theatre/bar 1 year working full time as a barista prior to going to uni did was unable to find work in this area. Hundreds applied for each job in a city with 5 different universities.

so she works in the office of our family company during holiday times

My son does GCSE and A level tutoring. He only does about 5 hours a week but it’s well paid so he earns a fair bit from it.

DS is at uni, he's studying maths and physics, playing sports and playing in a band. It's quite full on tbh so he doesn't work during term time. He works in the uni holidays (he has done pizza delivery, stacking shelves in a supermarket and worked in a pub at various times). I'm ok with that as I want him to make the most of uni while he's there.

Some unis are good at employing students. Some of mine do work for the events team but also have worked on sustainability projects, graphic design for the SU, cafe work on campus, reception work on campus ..all sorts.

Some of the jobs my students do outside....supermarket shifts, baristas, lifeguard, clothes shops, sweet shop, Lush, working in a garage, freelancing, care work...all sorts.

I have lots of autistic students. If they don't need many hours, I'd try working on campus perhaps.

My son works in a bookies, he works 10 hours a week.

I think a lot of this will depend on the number of contact hours they have in their course.

My daughter has sent off about 50 cvs to cafes. No joy yet apart from 'trial shifts' that you never hear back from!

Could they maybe do a lifeguarding course?

I worked as a chambermaid when I was at uni - mostly very peaceful, though hard physically. There's also office cleaning, which would be very quiet as it's generally late at night.

Probably not a strong enough swimmer, but could look into that, thanks.

Cleaning might be good as then they could actually learn how to do it properly! 😂But also, yes, it might be quieter and more manageable.

I would say baristas/shop staff are more common than bar/restaurant if anything.

Lots of student unions organise jobs (both within the uni and acting as a hub for external recruiters), that might be a good place to start. It's probably all done via AI now but I remember a friend used to have a job taking notes for students with additional needs (blind, dyslexic etc.)

Other than that, they can do pretty much anything!

Cinema is another popular one (that I did) which might be good if she prefers something quieter - other than really huge releases it's rarely that busy, most people buy tickets online or at the counter so it's mainly cleaning the screens and serving popcorn.

Just a warning - it is incredibly difficult to find jobs for students in the current market.
If they do get one, be prepared for them having to stay in uni towns over holidays if they want to keep them.

DD worked in fashion retail.

DS was a barista.

Although my 18 year old is aiming to avoid university and aims to go down the apprenticeship route (NHS) , if she were to go to University, she would keep up with her current job which is Lifeguarding, as the work with her availability. She should also qualify as a level 2 swim teacher soon and that would be another string to her bow. She's also make some lovely friends and has gained a boyfriend too.

I am a lecturer and have had several students working in supermarkets. They can usually pick up shifts at home in the holidays too.
Others have worked in smaller shops and there were some students (not mine) working at the DCs holiday/after school club.

Some of these answers have reminded me: I've also had a lifeguard, who also taught swimming to one of my DCs. A mature student I have this year is a carer. Plus some get paid for doing tours on open days.

I think it varies from place to place - some places seem to never turn up anything. We're in London but they will be living out (on the other side of it if they go to what is probably their first choice) and I'm not sure if that is easier or harder than other places. My niece worked at a pub at Manchester (DC's probable second choice).

I should add that they're actually quite a morning person, so may be up for more early-morning roles than is typical for a student!

What job have they done through secondary so far? What experience do they have?

I worked in a pharmacy through uni because due to location and my course, I stayed living at home. I'd worked in a pharmacy since age 14 on Saturdays, then added 1 evening a week. During uni, I think I did 2 evenings and a Saturday.

My sis did bar work
Cousin worked in Greggs
Neice is at a shelf stocking

See if he can get a job now with somewhere he may be able to transfer with. My neice and Cousin both did this and had no issue getting transfers to fairly close to the Uni. My sis on other had took a while to get a job.

It really depends on the course and contact time too.
Some are more full on than others and some have placement hours too.

You mentioned they’re possibly autistic. Have you/they thought about being assessed? That would probably be really helpful for accessing support at uni.

My sis did bar work
Cousin worked in Greggs
Neice is at a shelf stocking

See if he can get a job now with somewhere he may be able to transfer with. My neice and Cousin both did this and had no issue getting transfers to fairly close to the Uni. My sis on other had took a while to get a job.

Nowadays the restrictions on how many hours, how long breaks have to be and having to get a licence from the council signed off by the school means very few businesses employ school aged children.

My AuDHD DC2 works as a lifeguard. Well paid and flexible hours. Usually does a 12 hour shift every Sunday but does the odd few hours regularly and gets free use of the gym.

To be honest, @Echobelly , if you suspect your child is autistic they may very well find studying and living independently (especially if they already struggle to manage money) quite enough to be coping with and imagining them working too might be a step too far. (I speak from experience!)

Have they had any part time jobs yet? If not, what has stopped them? Would that still be a consideration at uni?

If I were you, I'd get them assessed before they go, and if they are autistic, they should apply for Disabled Students Allowance to get extra support.