Is this advisable? It would be on campus. I need to get a job eventually (was planning on second semester) but just found the UM student employment website and saw a couple positions I would really like to scoop up. I don’t have a schedule of classes yet or have been to orientation. I have picked out some classes but don’t know about a potential schedule yet. I was not granted work study (wah) but I will be doing research through UROP. Is UROP+ a job too much?
It’s all a careful balance. First, you want to ensure you grad in four years so you want to take enough credits; and of course with a distribution that they will all apply to your requirements.
Next, you’ll want to still have time to get involved in EC’s. Some take an application process. You also want to be able to adjust to your classes.
Also - keep your UROP to the minimum credits if possible.
But, it’s understandable to want z job too if you need some cash. Try it and keep it down to about 10 hrs a week initially. Ideally it is something that could even allow you to study during the job when it is slow.
I’ve never done UROP but most of my friends who have recommend doing it for money instead of credit. Also, I’ve worked every semester that I’ve been at UM, and have balanced class, marching band, and a job, and it is definitely manageable. I would suggest student jobs more so than others because they do tend to be more understanding that you are a student.
@letsgoblue1 Nice. I would do UROP for money but it’s work study only and I wasn’t granted it 
Thanks for the input.
@wayneandgarth So what you’re saying is I should wait until the semester starts to see what I can handle. That’s the best idea. Are student jobs super competitive? I mean I would think so.
If you find just the right job in terms of hours per week, hours of the week and potential ability to study you may not want to wait. You can always give the job up if necessary.
Waiting is fine too; I just may take a job early if it seems a good fit. There will always be new positions coming available if you feel it is best to wait.
Just chill out with the whole finding a job thing. Your priority first semester is to adjust to college. I know some places that do not like to hire first semester college freshmen because from experience, they have a hard time getting their lives together, resulting in them missing out on their responsibilities.
The transition from high school to college cannot be overlooked. Not only are you on your own for the first time, but you also need to figure out how to have proper study habits. People often underestimate the amount of time they need to devote to academics outside of class. At first glance, it may seem like your life will be easier because you are spending less time in class than in high school, but in reality, you will be spending a lot more time outside of school studying to make up for it. Umich is a very academically competitive environment, since like you, all of your classmates performed very well academically in high school.
My daughter worked the first semester of her freshman year at Umich for a biology lab she was very interested in. She interviewed well because she’d done lab work at a biological station in the summer between her senior year of high school and her freshman year of college, so she had some experience. If you’re looking for an interesting research job (as opposed to a service job)…it’s very competitive and freshman rarely are offered positions. That said…it can’t hurt to write some emails and see if you can get an interview. All they can say is no. My advice to you would be to do a lot of reading about what that particular lab is doing, so you’ll have something substantive to discuss. Also, think about what you, personally, can offer the lab that makes you a good choice.
Previous poster made a good point about Freshman year being a lot to adjust to. The academic rigor of UMich blindsides a LOT of kids who were the cream of the crop in high school. Cannot stress enough that this is a pitfall for MANY freshman. Add that to the other stresses of leaving the nest and becoming completely self-accountable…and it can be a handful. Might be a better idea to put off a job until at least second semester. Give yourself a little acclimation time. And yes, employers do worry about the Freshman learning curve for balancing their lives.
If you’re doing UROP, I would suggest NOT getting a job (at least for the first semester). Put your time into getting the most out of it. Use UROP to learn some skills and competencies that you can later use to interview…if you want a more interesting job.
Depending on the rigor of the classes you’re taking…aim to work up to 10 hours a week. Working more than that will be extremely difficult if you carry a full load.
I disagree with a previous poster who said to find a job where you can study. They don’t pay you to study. They pay you to work. It’s poor work ethic to study on the job unless you have been expressly invited to do so…and even then, there is always cleaning and organizing to do. Someday your supervisor will write you a luke warm recommendation or an outstanding one. Keep that in mind.
My kid started working for a particular lab her freshman year. She worked for them both semesters. Her Sophomore year, she did Urop, but her lab was able to accommodate her project. They have invited her back to work for them her Junior year, to work and continue her research…and stay with them a third year. She’s made some excellent contacts and has enjoyed some “insider” access to speakers and events. She’s also used her experience and skillset to get a great summer job at another lab. She is told that having this work history and these affiliations will be helpful when applying to grad schools.
It’s all a balance, and it’s very individual. My kid isn’t a hardcore EC person. She has just a couple of ECs that she really enjoys (completely independent of her major), but for the most part a lot of her her community contacts and interactions have occurred through her lab experiences.
Good luck!
I’m the one that said to get a job you can study at if you NEED the job for the money. Jobs like these include Computer Lab Monitor (ck printer ink, report issues), Desk Asst for a dorm, library desk worker, night security, night hotel desk, radio/tv monitor, Fire Watcher for a fire dept.
None of these allow full time to studying or the job.
Look, I’m not saying to work immediately unless you need to either. It would have to be a trade off with other ECs. Not everyone can get paid lab work.
UROP doesn’t need to prevent taking a job if you need it. UROP for the OP is effectively another class he will get credit for, within the 15 or so credits of a normal class load. Plus, UROP doesn’t start until after the first few weeks of school.
10 hours a week is a good idea. I had a great job working at the front desk for my dorm. I could get some studying done and I didn’ t have to go outside.
Those kind of jobs are ideal. If you are talking about the CA Resstaff position (working in the residential hall community center, aka "front desk), those jobs are unfortunately not open to first semester freshmen. You need to at least be a second semester freshmen, and those positions are now VERY competitive to get. If you get such a position, take it!
A ton of people I know did, and had no trouble. Most employers (especially university ones) know you’re a student and that comes first. Don’t aim for anything more than 10-12 hours a week. The weeks I worked 12 hours usually kicked me in the butt, but the weeks I only worked 8-10 were okay. It makes all the difference. There are employers out there who will schedule you for only a shift or two a week if that’s what’s going to be easiest for you. It makes all the difference.