As an international student, finding a part-time job can be a great way to earn some extra income, meet people outside of your study circle and maybe even gain some experience in your chosen field.
But, as three international students discovered, finding work isn’t always as easy as hitting ‘apply’ on a SEEK ad, or dropping in your resume and crossing your fingers. Getting involved in university life, building connections and being open to different opportunities can make all the difference between getting a part-time job and not.
Start by getting involved
For Glynnis, who studied a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Environmental Science at James Cook University (JCU), her first part-time job came about unexpectedly.
“Actually, my first part-time job found me rather than the other way around,” she says.
Glynnis was approached by a Learning Advisor and asked whether she would be interested in becoming an Academic Ambassador; a role which helps to promote academic integrity across campus through helping facilitate discussions, activities and events.
“It was a great first job because it helped me build confidence, communication skills, and connections within the university community.”
Volunteering or doing an internship can also be a great way to increase your employability, and you never know, it might lead to a paid role in the future!
Tell people you’re looking for work
Sometimes the best opportunities come through people you already know. Crystle, a third-year PhD student studying coral restoration at JCU, found her first paid part-time job looking after two dogs and a turtle.
Since then, she has worked in a wide range of casual roles, including photography, teaching swimming lessons, running courses on coral identification, social media and even working in safety training for the Australian Defence Force.
“I mostly asked around with friends for jobs that enabled me to be active, as I needed a mental break from the academic rigour of a PhD,” she says.
Crystle was lucky enough to find all of her part-time work through word-of-mouth, with friends and previous clients also recommending her for opportunities.
“It helped that I'm also always willing to learn and try new things, so having a diverse skillset made it easier for me to try various jobs,” she says.
Think about all the skills that you already have and tell people about them when the opportunity presents itself. You might have experience in hospitality, childcare, sport, social media or something completely different, and you never know who might be looking for someone with exactly your skills!
Attending networking and career events
Glynnis recommends looking beyond traditional job websites and making the most of university and community events instead.
“I was constantly attending networking events, career workshops, and university activities. These events not only helped me learn about potential opportunities but also allowed me to meet professionals and employers,” she says.
She even found a full-time opportunity through a class after taking the initiative to stay in contact with an organisation they’d been working with that was looking for interns.
“That experience taught me the importance of building genuine relationships and following up on opportunities,” she says.
If you're not quite sure about what sort of work you’d like to do, the annual Townsville Careers Expo might be an event worth attending. As North Queensland's largest careers, employment and training expo, they deliver the latest career opportunities around Australia!
Keep work and study balanced
Finally, remember that your studies should remain a priority. Glynnis worked three part-time jobs during her second and final years but was careful not to spend too much time away from her studies.
“I was careful not to overcommit to work and made sure I allocated enough time to my coursework and exams. I also believe it's important to maintain a healthy balance, so I set aside time on weekends to spend with friends and regularly call my family. Having that balance helped me stay productive and avoid burnout,” she says.
Crystle agrees that balancing work and study can be challenging, particularly during a PhD, which is why she prefers casual jobs and short-term opportunities that fit around her research.
Whether you find your first job through a university contact, a friend, a networking event or simply by letting people know you’re looking, be open to unexpected opportunities.
Glyniss says, “Building connections takes time, but the more involved you are, the more rewarding your experience will be.”
