Top 3 Tips for Balancing A Part-Time Job & An Internship

Whether you want to make extra cash or add experience to your resume, there are several reasons for taking on both a part-time job and an internship at the same time. You might need the extra cash from a part-time job because of an unpaid internship or you might be trying to increase the amount of money you can save by working two paid positions at once. Whatever your reasons, it takes a lot of time and energy to do both. In order to maximize your time in each role and prevent yourself from burning out, check out these tips to help keep your schedule manageable.

1. Speak to your supervisors.

Working two jobs will inevitably lead to a busy schedule so  it’s important to be upfront with your supervisors at your internship and your job about your other obligations in order to avoid conflicts. If your internship requires you to be in the office on weekdays, see if you can take night and weekend shifts at your part-time job. Although most employers will understand that you have other responsibilities outside of work, sometimes an overlap is unavoidable. Having a packed schedule almost always results in a conflict at some point or another, so if your supervisors are aware of your situation, things will go much more smoothly when an issue arises.

2. Be realistic about your time.

Good time management skills are a must when you have a part-time job and an internship. Because your days are planned around your work schedule it’s important to make sure that you use your spare time well. This could include doing homework, studying, going to club meetings or hanging out with your friends. You don’t want other aspects of your life to fall to the bottom of your priority list. You know yourself best, so if you find that your schedule is getting to be too much to handle, you may need to rethink your situation.

3. Take care of yourself.

Self-care often becomes nonexistent when you’re running around every day, but it’s something you need to prioritize if you want to maintain a balanced life. Since your body is constantly moving, you need to recharge yourself. Eat healthy meals, sleep seven to eight hours per night and take breaks throughout the day. Although those things can seem trivial compared to what you have on your plate, ignoring your physical and mental health is not the answer. The busier you are, the more necessary it becomes to take care of yourself, because no matter what you’re doing, your well-being comes first.

Finding the perfect balance can be challenging and frustrating at times, but at the end of the day, you’re going to have great experience, a top-notch resume and hopefully some financial security. Just keep your eye on the prize, but remember not to stretch yourself too thin. Follow these tips and you’re already on the right track.