Working While In School

 

Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who are in financial need, thus allowing them to earn money to help pay for their educational expenses.

 

This program emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to your course of study if possible, however there is a huge variety of jobs both on and off campus that are eligible to students. If you select an on campus job you will usually work for your school, while off campus jobs are generally employed by a private non-profit organization or public agency.

 

The amount that you can earn depends on your total work-study award through the FAFSA, which depends on how early you apply, your level of financial need, and your school’s funding level. You are guaranteed to make at least the current federal minimum wage, but you can earn more depending on the type of work and skill required for the job. As a professional student you can either be paid by the hour or by salary and your school must pay you directly at least once a month. The number of hours you can work is limited to the amount of work-study aid that you are receiving from the FAFSA.

 

Getting a work-study is advantageous for students who exhibit financial need because there are particular jobs that are only designated for students who have a work-study. This will give students in this situation a better chance of getting a job that will help supplement the cost of tuition.

 

Work-study information = http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/work-study

 

Working

For students who are not eligible or uninterested in taking part in a work-study job can get part-time employment on and off campus to help pay for their tuition and living expenses. In general, any job you take part in during veterinary school isn’t going to pay too well and your hours will be very limited because your educational commitments are extensive. It is a good way to have some extra spending cash, but I wouldn’t depend on it too much. In fact, most students are told not to seek employment during their first year so that they can aclimate to the rigorous schedule and courses of veterinary school. It can be very challenging to both work and attend veterinary school.

 

In my personal opinion, I don’t plan on getting a job during my first year and in the years after I will only take on a job that directly related to my future professional goal of working in a small animal veterinary clinic. You are going to be taking on massive amounts of loans for veterinary school, so there is very little reason to risk your education by working 10 to 15 hours a week making minimum wage. That time should be spent studying and importantly resting so that you don’t burn yourself out. Students definetely successfully work throughout their four years in veterinary school, but you just need to be careful that you are going to be able to make it work with your own personal circumstances. 

 

If you are thinking about working during veterinary school, then I would highly encourage you to speak with current students and staff at the veterinary school you are planning to attend, in addition to your family and veterinarians that you have worked with in the past. They can help you make the decision and point you in the right direction towards potential job offers that could work well for you!