Getting a job before starting?

EmmetOT

So this question, while not directly related to trinity, is still something I've been having trouble with and figure some of you guys might have experience with.

The minute I got my acceptance into Trinity my parents started putting pressure on me to get a job ASAP. Don't get me wrong, I want a job. I really do. However I keep thinking that it would be very unwise to get a job before I have any idea of my workload or schedule in my first year, along with maintaining some time for societies and the gym.

They argue that now is the time to get a job before people start moving up to Dublin from elsewhere in the country to attend UCD/Trinity/etc.

This has been driving me crazy with stress all week. I keep going back and forth on whether I should go out and start applying or not.

Any advice?

languagenerd

It's quite hard to get a job these days, so even you start applying, there's no guarantee that you'll get one . That said, lots of shops start taking Christmas staff in October, so that could be a good time to go for it

What course are you doing? Someone on here may know how full a timetable you're going to have. And if there's any particular soc or club you want to join, people here should know what nights they meet.

I'm applying to places at the moment, but I'm a fourth year and I know I'll only have 7-8 hours this year.

I would say that if you really want to get involved in societies, try to go to the first few meetings. I didn't (being 17 and really shy when I started ) and found it quite hard to get involved after the first few weeks had passed, because groups had already formed etc. But in 2nd and 3rd year, I went to stuff from week 1 and it was much easier to become part of them.

It's up to you. Some people I know have an amazing sense of time management and can juggle coursework and a job while still being an active member of everything. I am not one of those people... :pac:

Ash_M

I think it depends on how disciplined you are, as well as how intensive your course is. I don't think I'd manage a job along with work during college-time, but a friend of mine does more or less the same course and manages a job just fine! That said, I rarely finish until 6 or so, and often start quite early, so my hours aren't great for working either - which is something else to bear in mind. Also a lot of employers will want to know your timetable/availability before considering you.

EmmetOT

I'm going to be doing Computer Science, Linguistics, and French. I can't find a cohesive timetable anywhere, just the 2011 Computer Science part of it.

languagenerd

EmmetOT wrote: »

I'm going to be doing Computer Science, Linguistics, and French. I can't find a cohesive timetable anywhere, just the 2011 Computer Science part of it.

Ok, well I think you'll have 5 hours French. (I've just finished TSM French and I'm pretty sure the CSLF people were in all but two of our classes - no literature). A language lecture, two written tutorials, an oral tutorial and Contemporary France. French classes are nearly always at good times - you very rarely get a French class at 6pm, so you can be 90% sure that you'll be done by 5pm each day. Also, I'll bet that you'll have Grammar at 10am on Mondays and Contemp. France at 2pm on Wednesdays. (I can't say for certain, but those two lectures have been the same for the last three years :P).

OnlyMessin

I'm in the same position but doing cs and german, would love to get my hands on a timetable!

nommm

Start applying now. Sure by the time you get through the application process, you will have started college. And if it turns out that the hours don't suit, you can always just ditch the job.

I started applying in August last year and it wasn't actually in a job till October.

EmmetOT

nommm wrote: »

Start applying now. Sure by the time you get through the application process, you will have started college.

Thanks, I think this is what I needed to hear.

I was just terrified I'd end up getting a job and then being unavailable every time some society's night outs were going on.