Why a student job can be invaluable for your future

Should you spend the time at your studies reading up and being as skilled and dedicated a student as possible? As far as possible, yes.

But some of the time can also be advantageously used in a student job. Career advisor at IDA, Sanne Mattebjerg, has advised numerous students and recent graduates in finding the right path both at the university and as a recent graduate, and according to her, a student job can be the key to finding out which path you want to take.

“A student job gives you the opportunity to see how you can apply the theoretical elements you have learned at university in a real company, where there is actually something at stake when you do your tasks. At the same time, it also gives you insight into which of the things you learned at university that you actually like to work with in practice. So in short, a student job is a great opportunity to test how you work and whether you enjoy that work,” says Sanne Mattebjerg.

Learning to work

Work experience, whether professionally relevant or not, can help you build a foundation of skills that are invaluable in any career. But according to Sanne Mattebjerg, not many people think about the fact that, just as you have to learn to go to school as a child, you also have to learn to go to work as an adult.

“Through a student job, you learn to collaborate, work independently, meet deadlines and develop the professionalism that is expected of you, as well as how to behave in an organization, which unfortunately is a skill rarely taught at university. When you enter working life, it’s not like university where you focus primarily on your own academic progress. The company is at the center, and that requires an adaptation of your thinking and behavior,” says Sanne Mattebjerg, adding that in addition to that, you also often learn such basic but important things as understanding punctuality and communication and how to use e-mails effectively.

Strengthen your employment value

The lesson about going to work, however, is not the only reason to get a student job. Studies show that relevant work experience can significantly reduce the period of unemployment after graduation, while IDA’s own data reveals that a considerable percentage of newly qualified members get their first job through an internship or student job. This, combined with the fact that employers often prioritize experience over grades, is another important factor to take into account in the big account of how your time at study should be prioritized.

“Of course, the most important thing is that you put the most time and energy into your studies. After all, it is there that you learn what you will use in your future work. At the same time, however, it is important to bear in mind that companies rank experience at the top in relation to what students should prioritise to avoid being unemployed as a recent graduate. That is why it is definitely worth taking the first step into business while you are a student,” says Sanne Mattebjerg and continues:

“The fact that you have already sat with just a small part of the work that you, as a recent graduate, may have to work on gives you an advantage when companies have to choose which candidates they think they will be able to get the most out of hiring . At the same time, work experience also helps you understand and navigate the real labor market world, and this is also a factor that companies choose based on.”

A student job is the first step towards a network

However, it is not only the real experience you get through a student job that is worth taking into consideration. A student job also gives you the opportunity to build relationships in the industry, find mentors and get an insight into the companies.

“It can help open doors to informal job hunting opportunities where you can talk to people in the industry and find job opportunities that may never be advertised. It’s something you don’t often take into account when considering whether you should get a student job, but it’s an almost equally important part,” says Sanne Mattebjerg and continues;

“Through a student job you meet a lot of different people. Some of them you will never talk to again, while others may suddenly become relevant for you to know at some point in the future. Not because they are necessarily the ones who will be able to get you a job, but maybe they are the ones who point you in the right direction or who know someone who knows someone and so on. So the network that comes with a student job can definitely be just as important as the experience.”

It is also worth noting, that a lot of jobs never make it to an official listing. A lot of new hiring in Danish workplaces goes through unofficial channels, such as unsolicited applications and network opportunities. Don´t be afraid to tap into the ressources you have at hand and make an overview of your connections.

5 good reasons to get a student job

1. A student job is more than just a source of income; it is an investment in your future career.
2. Through a student job, you can translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills and find out what really drives you.
3. This is also where you learn the basic work skills essential in any career, from collaboration to time management.
4. Student jobs can reduce your unemployment period after graduation and give you valuable experience that employers prioritize.
5. The network you build through a student job can open doors to future job opportunities and mentors to guide you on your career path.