How to get a part-time job while studying

1. Careers and Employability team

When it comes to advice and support when looking for a job, UOW's Careers and Employability team can provide you with a range of resources and assistance to help kick-start or expand your career path. From getting advice on resume writing and job applications through to meeting prospective employers or getting a graduate position – they're ready to assist with all your career support needs.

2. Careers and Employability JobBoard

The UOW Careers and Employability JobBoard is a website available for UOW students looking for work. A range of jobs are regularly posted by employers – from taxi drivers and child carers to English teachers, tutors and IT support officers. The website offers multiple work categories, including internships, vacation work, jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, international jobs, graduate recruitment programs, PhD jobs and internships, and jobs for people with a disability. Your options are endless!

3. Jobs on campus

Casual work is a great way to develop your skills and increase your employability once you finish your degree. Available to all current students, there are many casual jobs available at UOW from admin and project assistants through to student mentors and hospitality jobs, all of which can be done around your class schedule. To earn some cash without having to leave campus, look no further than UOW’s JobBoard.

4. Paid internships

There’s no better way to prepare yourself for the competitive work environment than getting real-world experience while expanding your knowledge at uni. UOW facilitates a range of paid internship opportunities, which in many cases can lead to a full-time job in the workforce. Whether you’re studying a degree in business, IT, engineering, social science, law, humanities or the arts, you can find opportunities to get on-the-job experience with reputable businesses, in Wollongong, across Australia and internationally. Find internships on the JobBoard or explore external opportunities.

5. UOW Pulse

Throughout the year, UOW hosts major student-centred events, which often require both casuals and volunteers to assist new students settle into life at uni. UOW Pulse (which exists to enrich campus life for students) recruits marketing casuals to work at major events such as O-Week. These casuals generally work in sales and do shifts at the UniLife membership sign-up tent, helping students to join UniLife or renew their membership.

For something more consistent, UOW Pulse runs many businesses on campus, including UniBar, UniShop, UniActive and the Village Grocer, so there are always opportunities for roles in retail, hospitality, early childhood education, health and fitness, and more, advertised through UOW Pulse.

If volunteering piques your interest, there are plenty of opportunities to help out. These roles include working as events crew, wellness ambassadors, enviro-warriors, active tribe digital volunteers and community volunteers. For more information or to apply, visit the UOW Pulse volunteering webpage.

6. External employers

Many students find casual work in bars, cafes, retail shops and other roles, which help pay their way while studying at uni. UOW international student Sherry Davaa, who is doing a Master of Business (International Business and Marketing) at UOW Sydney Business School, shares her experience of making ends meet while doing her postgraduate studies.

"My first job when I arrived in Sydney was a waitress in a restaurant, located in one of the city’s busiest places called Circular Quay, just five minutes from the UOW Sydney campus," Sherry says. "I never wait for an opportunity to come towards me, instead I went job hunting to help pay for my expenses. I wrote my resume with a little help from some websites and asked for some help from the University staff to adapt it to the Australian resume writing style. Then, I went around with my printed resume in the busiest places where all restaurants and cafes are located, such as Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, and Sydney Airport. That is how I found my first paid casual job while studying at the University."

7. Accommodation Student Leaders

For students living in a UOW student residence, there is an opportunity to apply for a residential scholarship to become a Student Leader. These positions play an important role in the residences, providing advice and assistance to fellow students, while helping to maintain order and foster a strong sense of community and belonging. In exchange for their services, Student Leaders receive a reduction in residential fees based on their level of responsibility and gain valuable leadership experience while completing their studies. Students can only apply for these roles if they are already living on campus at UOW. This process typically takes place in September each year, with additional intakes as required.