- Degree: (and possibly include average contact hours)
Physiotherapy. Contact hours originally in the 20s+ and then later down to 10-15. Now no contact hours while not on placement but doing FT hours when on placement.
- Job(s):
Sports trainer/first aid - in first, second and third year
Retail - end of second year through to now (fourth year)
- Average work hours per week:
Sports training - ~10 (Tuesday, Thursday nights and games on weekends)
Retail - anywhere from 5-20. When I had contact hours at uni probably ~5-10 because I was also doing sports training. Atm closer to 20+ because I'm not on placement. When I'm on placement I tend to just work 1 shift a week (5 hours), maybe 2 if I'm needed.
- Flexibility: (How flexible and supportive is your workplace? Do they offer you more or fewer shifts based on your timetable, holidays, exams etc? What might your schedule look like on a typical week – weekends, evening hours, online work etc?)
Sports training - really chill, flexible if I couldn't make it some nights or needed to do some different hours
Retail - casual so I can just put in my availability, I tend to work friday nights and on weekends. Most employees are uni students so they're pretty understanding of your schedule.
- How is it going? (Is it easy/manageable, or super hard? How are you finding it?)
It's good. On placement I cut down to one shift/no shifts just because it's so busy, but during usual uni times I've found work and study manageable. IMO it's good to have something to focus on that isn't study. It also helped me make friends.
Honestly I couldn't imagine not working during my degree, I think I'd be really bored lol.
- Tips: (Any advice you've got is fantastic!)
Don't beat yourself up if you need to reduce your hours or whatever because you're struggling. It can be hard to find a balance but once you get into a rhythm it gets much easier!
- Other: (Anything else you want to share, e.g. average income, self-supporting or parent-supported, what you feel you've gained from it, interaction with youth allowance, etc)
I've needed to work because I don't live at home so need to support myself - pay for groceries, other expenses, etc. and I've found the hours I've worked enough to cover this. Some weeks money has been a bit tight but as a uni student you get used to being broke lol.
I don't qualify for Centrelink due to being under 22 and my parents' income is over the threshold, despite the fact I don't (and can't) live at home. I would have to work 30 hours a week to qualify as "independent" when under 22 so just wasn't worth it for me, my parents thankfully support me with my rent.