A Balancing Act

Published on September 19, 2016, at 4:26 p.m.
by Lauren Williams, Contributing Writer.

With the constant difficulty of work-life balance as a student, taking on more than one job can seem daunting. However, it is often worth the time and energy it takes to pull off.

This summer my internship was mostly a remote position, with travel to the office occurring every week or two. Due to the flexibility of the position, I was able to be incredibly productive and often completed tasks ahead of time. After approaching my boss about the possibility of an increased workload, I learned there simply were no more worthwhile tasks I could help with.

Wanting to make the most of my summer, I started applying to other jobs. I was transparent about my primary internship and the scheduling constraints it would include (mainly just the days I needed to be present in the office). I landed a part-time position in town to balance with my remote position.

I could not be happier with my decision to reach out for more work. Balancing the duties of the two jobs was difficult at times, but the experience improved my time management skills immensely. I was able to get more work experience under my belt and encountered more companies and organizational cultures than I would have originally.

If you’re looking for increased responsibility, first speak with your boss about your wants and needs in relation to your workload. If nothing can be changed, explore the option of a second job. Be honest in the interview process that you have another position and explain any constraints this could have on the new job. Should you be hired for your second job, the benefits could be endless.

1. You learn to schedule your time, whether or not one or both of your jobs is remote.
2. Keeping deadlines and tasks straight in your mind requires you to be organized and attentive.
3. Going above and beyond to take not only one, but two jobs shows that you are a go-getter with the determination to work hard.
4. Learning to work with various types of bosses and personalities in two offices increases your ability to be flexible and easygoing — not to mention, double the jobs, double the money.

It can be scary enough to have one job, but with the post-grad world wanting experienced, young professionals, adding a second job may make you a more competitive candidate in the future.