CAREERS AND EDUCATION

Managing full-time school and part-time work

Important considerations to keep in mind

There are a number of good reasons to combine school and work. Many students work while they go to school often because they cannot afford to do otherwise. But there are many other benefits that go beyond just finances, such as gaining work experience in your field.

An employer may be more inclined to hire you if you are studying a subject related to the work you want to do.

For instance, if you are studying gerontology, you may be able to find work with a service for seniors. You get to see if you like the work and make contacts for employment when you graduate.

Another eye-opener could be that it may confirm your interest in your chosen subject of study. If you find that you dislike the work, then a counsellor or academic advisor at your school may support you in exploring other career options and help you determine how to qualify for them through academics or other means.

How to manage school and work

If you have the option, you may want to postpone working in your first semester until you see how much time you need for your studies. The first semester may also alert you to any academic deficiencies you need to concentrate on, which may require the additional time.

Once you have decided that you can or must work while also attending school, juggling both will require some effort and planning. Managing your time will be critical, but other factors may also prove to be equally important.

For instance, by making time to attend all classes, you can participate in quizzes, get detailed instructions, closely follow what the professor highlights, ask questions and get clarification. The professor’s emphasis will help you determine what to study. Attending classes may seem like something you can skip, but rarely is this the case.

Identifying some time wasters may help you find extra study time. If you have a long commute, you could organize your notes on cards so they can fit in your pocket or convert them to become audio files. Using your commuting time wisely could also mean a nap if you are short on sleep. You can also use other times such as when waiting in line. If you can find work on campus or near your home, you will be able to cut down on commuting time.

When choosing work, an important consideration could be some flexibility in your shifts. There will be times when school demands increase because of exams, group work or looming assignment deadlines. You may need to either take some time off from work or exchange job shifts to accommodate your school needs. This may be something you will want to discuss with your employer initially.

Being aware of and using your personal best time for studying may ultimately save you time. After all, it is not about the quantity of time you set aside that’s important, it’s the quality of attention. When you are most alert and able to concentrate, your toughest subjects should be tackled.

Fitting in some daily exercise may also give you extra stamina and sharpen your focus; although you don’t want to overdo it so that it takes too long and tires you out. If managing your time and achieving the right balance is a struggle for you, you may want to seek support with this at your school. Most post-secondary institutions have counsellors, advisors, or peer mentors that can help with this. They may also offer workshops on strategies for managing your time.

Whether this is an obligation or you just want to get a job, work shouldn’t be a constant source of stress. There is enough of that in being a student. Work should help you with your finances, gain needed work experience, or help with contacts. If it is none of these, it may be time to reconsider or visit the career centre at your school and look for a better job. The goal is to reap some benefit of working while being a student.

Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer have extensive experience working in university and college settings, providing career, academic and personal counselling to international and immigrant students.

Emotional intelligence at work

10 ways to improve your workplace experience

The pandemic and its after-effects have fundamentally altered the way we live, work and relate to one another. In its scale, scope and complexity, the transformation has been unlike anything we have experienced before. In the new normal, the professional with high emotional intelligence (EI) will definitely have the edge. EI is nothing but the skills to manage your emotions and express them in respectful ways. Today, EI is essential for navigating the important relationships in your life both personally and professionally.

Being empathetic at work has many benefits. From improving communication to strengthening working relationships, here are 10 ways EI can improve your workplace. 1 Improve communication Strong communication skills are essential for emotional intelligence. The ability to write and speak well is essential for building strong relationships.

Anyone with high EI can adapt his or her communication style to the people they are dealing with. They can identify how to voice their opinions and requirements to others in a direct way without hurting anyone. This also ensures that respect is earned without coming across as too aggressive or too passive.

2Strengthen relationships When you are empathetic, you automatically become a better collaborator and team member. You build rapport and instant trust by understanding your colleagues’ backgrounds and perspectives better. As a result, you use words of encouragement when others share their opinions and ideas.

3Be more self-aware Emotional intelligence starts with selfreflection. A crucial cornerstone of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. This greatly influences growth, within ourselves and in the organization. People who possess high EI are aware of how their actions affect other colleagues. They are also ready to learn from their mistakes by taking feedback and criticism in a positive manner.

is a hallmark of high EI. These individuals are always ready to act on opportunities, are committed to personal and organizational goals, and keep on going in the face of setbacks.

Nothing is more contagious than a positive attitude. The power of an encouraging word, a positive email and a kind gesture are well understood by such individuals. This attitude helps others around you remain calm and also encourages problem solving and teamwork.

5Embrace change Once you understand and accept that change is the only constant in life, you’re able to effectively handle the psychological challenges associated with it. This empowers you to efficiently manage the many demands from your organization’s stakeholders and handle priorities easily.

6Improve listening Emotionally intelligent individuals are experts at active listening, the ability to fully comprehend a speaker before giving a response. EI helps you to focus on the other person’s needs to fully understand their perspective.

Remember that people use verbal and nonverbal communication, and a highly aware person can grasp both forms of messages. The ability to listen to others also demonstrates your 7 Validate feelings An important component of emotional intelligence is knowing how others can feel. It shows how you can empathize with feelings that you may not be feeling yourself and respond in a way that’s respectful and comforting to others.

You can practice empathy and validate the feelings of others by showing that their feelings are important. When you acknowledge their feelings and needs, it will have a positive impact on the conversation.

8Attract opportunities An enhanced level of empathy helps you anticipate the wants and needs of others. The same empathy also enables you to address the challenges of others, be it a professional one or a personal matter.

As a result, your colleagues are likely to feel valued and accept your suggestions. By showing that you are dedicated to ensuring their success, you earn their trust and loyalty. This can in turn lead to your colleagues facilitating connections for you with their networks and a possibility of connecting with opportunities.

9Boost creative thinking When you use empathy in the workplace, you also develop more creative solutions. Your high EI helps you to look at things from the client’s point of view. You are now able to identify newer challenges and opportunities and implement solutions that work for everyone’s benefit.

10 Sharpen leadership skills Individuals who are emotionally intelligent excel in leadership skills. You possess the strength to take on any endeavour without fear of a setback. The ability to be resourceful, creative and open-minded enhances productivity in the long run.

You set high standards for yourself and also set an example for others to follow. As a result, people start taking initiative and get good at problemsolving and decision-making. Naturally, this leads to a more productive level of performance in life and at work.

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, life coach and best-selling author of The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening, The ACE Abundance and You Are HIRED!. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. Learn how he can help unlock your magic at unleashyourwow.com.

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