Many students take on part-time work to help with the cost of living - but there’s more to it than just earning money. Working has really added to my university experience. The right role can help you meet people, build skills, and gain confidence. The challenge is making it all fit around your studies and your wellbeing.  

Here’s an honest look at what working while studying in Belfast really looks like — plus some practical ways to make it work for you. 

Finding the Right Kind of Job 

Not all part-time jobs are created equal. Before you start applying, think about what you actually need. 

• • Do you want a steady job that helps with bills every month? 
  • Or something flexible and occasional that fits around your timetable and commitments? 
  • Just some extra spending money? 

Knowing this makes a big difference when you start your job search. Everyone is different and needs their own balance, having full time university and a demanding job can risk burnout. It's important to prioritise your health. 

Where to Find Jobs 

There are lots of job opportunities available but often students don’t know how to find them. These are all the platforms that I have used: 

• • QWork – Queen’s own platform for flexible, on-campus jobs. You might find roles as a Student Ambassador, working at Open Days, or helping with events. The big perk? Most of these jobs are on campus and built around student life. You can work before or after class, with no added commute. 

💡Tip: Students are limited to 20 hours per week through QWork, which is a good balance for managing study and rest. Some students, with specific visa requirements or studentships, may have further restrictions and should check their individual circumstances -  see the latest guidance on the Immigration Support Service website. 

• • MyFuture – Queen’s Careers platform lists internships, placements, and jobs relevant to your degree. It’s especially useful if you want to gain experience linked to your future career. 
  • Indeed, TotalJobs, and LinkedIn – Great for local opportunities across Belfast. You can set up job alerts to get updates straight to your inbox. I do this for specific jobs that will help me build up relevant experience and skills for my future career. 
  • Your Queen’s inbox – Honestly, don’t underestimate this one. A lot of great student jobs (tour guides, ambassadors, Open Day staff, etc.) come through university emails. Plenty of students- myself included, say the best opportunities they’ve found were right there in their inbox. 
  • Social Media – jobs in the service industry; bars, hotels and restaurants, often post job vacancies on social media – Instagram and Facebook. 
  • Volunteer –  volunteering can give you great experience and get your foot in the door. Many courses in QUB have programmes to help students gain experience, for example, my school runs the Psychology Student Research Skills Scheme. I applied for this scheme but was unfortunately unsuccessful. I asked to volunteer with them for the experience. I spent 5 hours a month conducting research interviews. After less than a year, I was taken on as a paid research intern. 

And of course, ask around. Word of mouth still works — classmates, tutors, and even student societies often know what’s available. 

Finding a Balance That Works 

Working while studying can be brilliant, but it’s easy to overdo it. Everyone’s capacity is different, so it’s important to find what balance works for you. 

A few tips that help in real life: 

• • Plan ahead - If you’ve got time between classes and shifts, bring your lunch and something to study. The Students’ Union or McClay are great places to use during those gaps. 
  • Keep organised - Colour-coding your calendar really helps. Use your phone’s calendar or apps like Google Calendar or TimeTree to track classes, work, and personal time.  

💡 Tip: You can also use these apps to combine calendars with your friends and families to make creating plans easier. 

• • Know your limits - Bar work or late-night jobs can sound appealing but be realistic about what you can manage alongside coursework. It’s okay to say no to shifts when you need rest. 
  • Protect your wellbeing - You’ll do better in both work and uni when you’re not running on empty. Some people can juggle 20 hours a week; others can’t — both are completely fine. 
  • Find ways to bring joy into your day – I do this by getting coffee on my way to work (using my own mug to get a discount) or taking the slightly longer walk to class through the Botanic Gardens to see the squirrels. 

Money Matters 

Once you start earning, it’s easy to lose track of what’s coming in and going out. Keeping an eye on your budget can make life a lot less stressful. 

Here are a few useful links and tools to help: 

• • Student budgeting tips 
  • More budgeting advice from Queen’s 
  • Blackbullion – a free platform from the Students’ Union with short online courses and budgeting tools. 

 Making It Work for You 

Working while studying isn’t always easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding parts of university life. You’ll learn how to manage your time, meet new people, and pick up skills that will help long after graduation. 

Finding a job that you enjoy is important. I have a job in Psychology Connect (a student engagement programme run by the School of Psychology), this involved working at events that I was already attending. So now, I get paid to go to these events, like to play with puppies and explore Carrickfergus Castle. 

Start small, stay organised, and look for roles that fit around your life — not the other way around. With the right balance, part-time work can be so much more than just a payslip.

 

By Elayna Watters

Third Year Psychology Student