Make Money and Gain Experience While at University
Finding a job while at uni can be a great way to gain extra experience, expand your social circle and of course, earn some much-needed bonus student funds. Being a compact and vibrant campus and city, Lancaster has tons of opportunities for both paid and voluntary work – so what are you waiting for!
There are lots of ways for you to gain that all important experience, contribute to the community, and get some extra cash at LUSU, the university, and beyond. So, here are some tips on the best ways to find them!
Keep up to Date Online
Probably one of the best ways to keep track of your options now a days is regularly keeping an eye out for opportunities online. Lancaster University hosts part-time student vacancies on their ERS website, which is also where we will post any available opportunities for you! Here, you’ll find a list of opportunities alongside detailed descriptions, application deadlines, person specifications, and instructions on how to apply. We recommend coming back to the ERS Site frequently, as new roles will often pop up throughout the academic year.
Specific departments/ industries you’re interested in gaining experience in? Follow them on social media! You’ll find that departments within the university, and companies in the city will often post job and volunteering opportunities on their own socials, giving you a direct line of knowledge immediately when jobs go live. Here at LUSU, we will occasionally post volunteer opportunities over on Instagram (shameless Insta plug, soz).
Join LinkedIn
Speaking of social media, LinkedIn is the pinnacle of personal development focused social media. It’s a great place to keep track of all your achievements, milestones, experiences, and network with other people sharing theirs.
Plenty of Lancaster based businesses, including the university and us here at LUSU, utilise LinkedIn to celebrate their successes and also discover new potential in people like you.
Plus, you deserve the chance to big yourself up every now and then – feel proud of those achievements!
Attending Events
The academic year is a busy busy time. So, you’ll find that there’s a lot of events going on year-round that offer the perfect chance to discover new opportunities, and network within communities to progress your personal development. From career fairs hosted by the university in which you can meet Lancaster based companies in person, to charity run events and more, there’s always something going on.
For us at LUSU, this means hosting a variety of student events and campaigns throughout the year – which is also a great way to get to know us! When you come to our events, you learn more about what it is we do, and discover where you might fit in.
By attending events, you can not only find opportunities but also get a better understanding of what to expect in different roles, helping you tailor your applications more effectively.
Discover all the events at LUSU and around campus here.
Join a Society/Student Community
Joining a student community can be the ideal gateway into volunteer roles with real responsibility, and gives you experience that looks great on a CV.
At LUSU, we’re home to over 160 societies and communities, each with their own volunteer projects or who need help organising events and activities, offering you a chance to get involved in leadership and planning. What better way to gain experience, than in something you already are passionate about! Additionally, being active in these communities can lead you to further opportunities within LUSU, such as Officer roles.
Self-initiated Opportunities
It might sound a little silly, but hear us out! If you’re a budding entrepreneur, or have a passion project of your own, then a side gig might be something that works for you. Running your own small business can be hard, but for the right person it can also be incredibly rewarding and lead to great things.
The experiences you can gain and the skills you hone in setting up your own business are invaluable - and come with the added independence of being in control of everything yourself. The personal reward can be plentiful, for your own wellbeing and confidence, and of course, any money you make is a big plus.
Network, Network, Network!
Don’t underestimate the power of networking!
There are people all around you, you just need to start the conversation. Lecturers and teaching staff within your department are often looking for students willing to help with research, and it doesn’t hurt to ask. You can also talk to your peers, and other university staff about opportunities they may know of. Often, word of mouth can lead to discovering roles that haven’t been widely advertised or that require a direct recommendation.
Plus, if you’ve already participated in any activities or held a previous role, stay in touch with those you worked with. A good reputation and connections can open doors to new opportunities and lead to more significant roles in the future.
Reach Out to LUSU
There are always people ready to help you if you’re struggling. The university have a dedicated page on managing your money while at university that includes resources and support available for you.
And of course, we’re here to help too! If you're unsure where to start or need guidance on finding the right volunteer role, LUSU is here to help. We can offer and can direct you to opportunities whenever there are vacancies. You can reach out to us at help@lancastersu.co.uk or send us a DM over on Instagram.
Finding the right opportunities for you can be a long but incredibly rewarding process.
The skills you develop even through communicating, networking, researching, and applying for roles are invaluable to you and your development.
And here at LUSU, we’re all about championing you! So, whatever it is you’re passionate about, we’re here to help.
You can find out more ways to get involved at LUSU here!
Written by Yueyi Wang
INTERNATIONAL PHD STUDENT