Ah yes, the perennial question: What about working while in school? Some students depend solely on student loans, while others utilize savings or family income, but the majority of our students work while studying at The Seattle School. When anticipating the start of grad school, it can be difficult to know what kind of job (and how many hours) will work best while managing class and studying as well. To help you imagine what this transition might be like for you, we’re sharing a snapshot of how students coordinate work and school, including some of the helpful job search resources we’ve found along the way.

What will my school week look like?

This is one of our most frequently asked questions, and understandably so. The Seattle School is designed to be a full-time graduate institution, meaning classes (for both low-residency and on-campus students) typically take place during the week between the hours of 9:00am and 7:00pm Pacific, so it’s rarely feasible to work a typical full-time, 9am-5pm schedule (30-40 hours) while being a student full-time (7-10 credit hours). 

With that said, we try (as much as possible) to provide consistency in the schedule. . Required classes take place Mondays-Wednesdays and electives are offered throughout the week. Some electives are offered in the typical weekly meeting format and others are offered as intensives.Due to intensives and lab-style courses, there will be  some variance in the days you have classes, but the bulk of your required core-content area classes can be completed in two days per week.. 

How many hours a week do students typically work?

Many students work a flexible part-time job between 15-20 hours a week while studying full-time. Some students also choose to work more hours per week and take fewer credits per term. What works best for you will depend on your study habits, class schedule, family commitments, and other factors. 

What else should you know when considering what job will work best for you? 

A word about volunteering and other commitments 

Adjusting to the work-load of grad school is difficult and both of our degree programs require either an internship or field experience in their final year. For students who regularly volunteer, coach, engage in lay ministry, or manage one or more side-hustles, it’s important to seriously weigh what you may need to say “no” to while you are prioritizing juggling work and being a student. While it may be possible to keep doing all the things while you are in school, it is likely not possible to do them all well. 

What jobs most often work best for students at The Seattle School?

There are a few types of jobs common to Seattle School students. We recommend reflecting on the impact of the type of work you choose as it relates to your emotional, social, physical, and financial health. Some students feel energized working with kids as a nanny, while others prefer having more independent work online.

Nannying

For those of you who love children or might have baby-whisperer skills, nannying is a job with flexible hours and good pay. Here are some ways to find nannying gigs:

Work Study

The Seattle School does have federal work study positions in multiple departments, including in admissions, the Allender Center, and the front desk (which requires on-campus presence). Open positions will be posted on our Current Openings page later this summer. Here is the important information to know:

Part-Time Jobs with Insurance

For students in Seattle, here are some local companies that offer insurance to part-time employees. Usually they require that you work a certain number of hours, such as an average of 21-25 per week. It depends on the company, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Also, some companies consider you full-time and offer benefits if you work a minimum of 30-32 hours. Most students find that to be too much to accomplish on top of school, but there are some who do it.

The Restaurant Industry

Waiting tables can offer good paychecks in the city. In Seattle, for example, servers make minimum wage—$21.30+ an hour or more, depending on the company—plus tips. 

Ministry and Counseling Jobs

If you’re looking to find employment in the industry you hope to work in upon graduation, you’re not alone. Elliott’s Wall often has postings from social service agencies, mental health hospitals, and churches, even from around the country. Depending on your previous experience or education, some of these may be a great fit. Mental hospitals and agencies occasionally need on-call staff or overnight workers, and some students have found this to be a schedule that works for them.

With church jobs, depending on your financial situation, this may or may not be enough financial support during this season. Of course, that varies depending on placement. 

Administrative Jobs

Some people like to do temp work because they can say yes when they’re available and no when they’re not. Also, it’s possible to find administrative positions that are part-time at churches, businesses, and in the public sector.

Self-Employed

Remote Work 

For those of you not planning a move to Seattle, or for any who prefer the convenience of working from home, check out:

Gyms / Fitness / Dance / Yoga Studio Front Desk 

A wonderful part-time opportunity might be working for fitness studios. Gyms, fitness, dance, or yoga studios are often busy outside of business hours such as early mornings, evenings, or weekends–making it conducive for working while navigating daily class schedules. Students have sometimes received perks for these jobs, for example, free or discounted classes at the studios they work for, and the supportive, community-based ethos and empowerment of these communities could be just the space to unwind while not in the classroom. 

How do people find jobs?

Here are the most helpful job searching resources we’ve found.

Internally

Externally

Temp Agencies

We hope these will be some helpful resources as you discern and explore your options for working as a student!