Working Part-Time in Plymouth
Ready to learn the best hacks for working alongside your studies? Check out our Q&A with Obiageli, a UPIC Business Management graduate from Nigeria.
Tell us a little about your experience at University of Plymouth, and what motivated you to work part-time.
My experience at University of Plymouth so far has been amazing. Coming to university gave me so much anxiety, because I guess as a teenager, you’re thinking, how can I make friends? Or how would lectures be? Would I be able to adapt? Would I be able to get work experience? (and so on). Turns out, I had absolutely nothing to worry about!
The staff at UPIC and the University are so supportive, there are so many events and services that allow you to meet amazing people and grow, and because of those, I found amazing friends. I started looking for part-time work because I wanted the experience. I got tired of sitting at home, and at some point being dependant on my parents back home. I really wanted to understand not only how the school system works but also how the work life is in the country.
What kind of job did you find when you first arrived in Plymouth?
My first ever job was actually as a volunteer for the British Red Cross, and after that I got a front of house job, University of Plymouth central ambassador job, and social media and marketing internships. I got most part-time opportunities through an online job board: Indeed and I gained the ambassador role through the university. I got the internships by connecting with the Business School at the University.
How has working part-time helped you?
Working part-time, especially in customer facing roles, has really improved my confidence in talking to people and maintaining conversations – especially with people from different backgrounds. It has also allowed me to really understand money, how to save and how to buy what you need (and not always what you want). It’s so funny because, growing up, no one tells you what you can learn by working. I am so much more disciplined, focused and organised all because I had to learn this while working and studying. Lastly, it is because of my part-time experience that I was able to get internships and my yearlong placement.
What has been the most memorable experience for you?
I would say my most memorable experience from all the work I’ve done, is definitely when I had the chance to go to the Met Office headquarters in Exeter (twice) and create a content-based video (twice) which was applauded by the content lead Ross, who by the way was an amazing mentor while I interned with them. Even though I worked with the Met Office for a short amount of time, the entire experience has really pushed me to strive for success, knowing that I can be in any space I want to be as long as I’m determined.
What advice would you give to other international students considering part-time work in Plymouth?
The first advice I would give is to make sure you stay within your restricted hours. You can get experience in many ways, but make sure it’s never above 20 hours per week during term time. Secondly, remember you’re in the country to study, don’t allow whatever part-time work you want to do affect your attendance, or lectures. It is very important you pass every semester more than it is to get the job. Additionally, your main focus is to graduate with a high rank score in your degree.
Lastly, do not talk down on yourself. When I first got into the country, a lot of people tried to push me to do jobs that I felt had nothing to do with my field. You need to stay focused, check out the careers team in the library, they have mentor services in which you can get your CV or Cover Letter professionally checked. There are micro internships and so many opportunities to build skill. If you just seek any job or work you want to do, you can get it! DO NOT let anyone tell you it’s not for you, or because you’re an international student you can’t get it. Only you know what is good for you.