I'm not working at 21

LegacyUser

I'm 21, and I'm not working. I'm in 3rd year of college, studying CS. I spend a lot of my time on course work, and when I'm not doing course work, I'm improving my development, and design skills.

But I don't have a PT job. Is this weird? I had one in second year (seasonal work) and made about 2K from it. I worked in landscape gardening last summer and made another 2K. I have about have about 1500 in savings to keep me going, and my parents cover the basics. My parents don't have an issue with me not working as long as I'm in college. But for some reason I feel it's weird not having a job.

I'm going to attempt freelancing this summer to make some money, and work at my leisure, but is my situation good or bad? Normal or abnormal.

Thanks

redbel05

Nothing abnormal about you. Its not as if you're on a long term holiday in college. And you're using any free time that you have to better yourself and make yourself more employable once you graduate. No wonder your parents don't mind! It speaks well of you that you feel awkward having your parents pay for things.

Don't beat yourself up over it though, just put your time to its best use. If that happens to be freelancing this summer, then go for it! You'll look back on this time longingly, that you actually get to choose what you do, because when you graduate and get into full time work, you may not have the time or energy to do things like exploring new skills, or trying out things outside of your area of study.

yerwanthere123

Personally, I think it's fine not to work when you're studying in college but I think you should get a job the summer.

Noo

Savour it! You'll spend the rest if your life working so if you are fine financially then leave it be. I never worked through college, it was pretty much a 9-5 course so i didnt want the stress of a job on top of that. But i did work through my summers and the money I made covered me for the rest of the year. Like you my parents were happy with that during my time in college. Watching my classmates leave class early to get to their work shifts, or spending 5 days a week in college then all their weekend at their part time jobs.....no thanks, wasn't for me.

Im nearly 30 now with a good full time job so it didnt do me any harm.

Rubberchikken

if you get work during the summer , then enjoy it and enjoy saving.
if you don't, then keep improving your skills in CS and enjoy any free time you have. when you're in full employment in years to come, you'll look back on time off during the summer and feel green with envy at your younger self:)

Hollister11

Unless you or your family desperately need money, I wouldn't work alongside college.

You are in an envious position, so make the most of it, and best of luck.