law w/part-time job (1 Viewer)

[-pari-]

i'm sure similar threads have been made but i wanted some feedback a bit more specific to my situation.

i've only started doing the business subjects of my buis/law degree at uts, and am to start law subjects in sem2.

the subjects i'll be doing are marketing (business subject), legal method and research and perspectives on law. its about 10contact hours per week.

as yet i havent been doing a part time job. but i want to know what different people feel are reasonable hours/week to be studying given the above info, if i'm looking at a D average.

i ask because there's a job in a small alternative disputes resolution firm that i've applied to....so it'd be good legal experience, but the work is 25 - 30hrs a week. is that "too much"? (yes i know it varies from individual to individual but generally speaking...)

 

[melsc]

I would say thats too much if you want a D average but thats just me. It sounds like good experience though, I suppose it depends on how flexible they are as well.

I do 8-16 hrs a week and thats more than enough for me with uni, mooting etc... but again its up to you.

It also depends on how those hrs equate into days, whether or not you will be able to fit it in

 

[Frigid]

i agree with mel, but would like to add that i wouldn't recommend working for more than your number of contact hours, unless money's an issue. there's more to life than study and $15/hr, so you need time to do those other things...

 

[hfis]

Yep, Frigid (and mel) are right. Remember that it isn't a binary choice between 'work' and 'study' - if you don't allow for time to socialise or enagage in activities which interest you, you'll either burn out or (arguably worse) become a total shut in with no personality to use in interviews at the end of your degree. Or pick up.

 

[melsc]

Its true, when I have worked more I cbf to study and thus my marks suffered. I would say thats too much but its a personal thing about how much you can handle. But do make sure you have enough time for a social life and you b/f / g/f if you have one...

Basically you need an employer who understands your study commitments and will be flexible at exam time etc. I don't know what is like with biz law and maybe Frigid can tell you but I find my Arts subject less effort for the same marks than my law subject.

 

[amaccas]

no more than 10 hours , i agree. and secondly, shut-outs can get good jobs from what I've seen

 

[Strawbaby]

I had an employer who was very flexible about hours last semester, and up till around week 10 I worked around 5-8 hours a week, which was fine. Any more than that, I think, and I wouldn't have had enough time to study as much as I needed to, and have time off to rest a bit. 25 hours a week would be WAY too much for me - the reading for law classes alone can take hours and hours, not to mention assignments.
Unfortunately, my boss ceased to have the money to pay me and moved back to the office in his home, so that wonderful freedom is gone

 

[GreenLeaf]

I'd say any more than 15 hrs/week would be too exhausting physically and mentally. And let's be honest, after coming home from a tiring 8 hour shift, it's unlikely you'd be wanting to spend another 4 hours with your textbook. Come exam time, you will be drained from overload and would be needing to cram like hell.

Getting work experience is definitely a good thing, but not if it's at the expense of dragging down your marks. If you get through the interviews, I think you should still give the job a go, or negotiate less hours with your employer, but doing 25 hours/week wouldn't be worth it if you want to maintain good grades.

 

[Rorix]

I do 16 at the moment and its not easy, especially if you have other commitments beyond uni and work.

 

[Frigid]

I'd say any more than 15 hrs/week would be too exhausting physically and mentally. And let's be honest, after coming home from a tiring 8 hour shift, it's unlikely you'd be wanting to spend another 4 hours with your textbook. Come exam time, you will be drained from overload and would be needing to cram like hell.

that said, however, in the future, it is likely some of us would be working 15 hours a day and needing to come home to eat/wash up/shower/put the kids to bed/read/study etc so it's good practice.

 

[maka]

Hey pari,

I work between 2-3 days per week during semester. This really dependent upon the weekly workload. I mean I am scheduled on for 2 set days per week but if they need me to come in for some extra stuff and my uni work isnt overly demanding, I'll go in for an extra day.

It really depends on what the job description entails. If your job involves a lot of filing and lodgments at say the Courts, there is ample time to do some readings if you like. You can maximise that time where you would otherwise play your mobile games. Maybe theres quite a bit of downtime where you can catch up on uni work.

25-30 hours would be 3 full days I am guessing. I dont think that is too much as long as it doesnt impact upon your other committments and social life. Ask them about how flexible they are about work hours, like if you can work less when you have assessments or exams.

Many firms recognise that when they take on uni students for part time jobs that they have committments that can not be changed. So, most would understand the concerns that you have and work with you to get the best deal for you both.

It is always great to get legal experience but it isnt worthwhile if your uni marks suffer, you arent enjoying working too long and if it consumes so much time that it completely wrecks your balance.

 

[-pari-]

mm...

well they did say they'll work around me, but from the level of responsibility for the role i get the feeling i'll be spending more towards 30hrs than 25. so their idea of flexibility is a week when i'm spending 25 hrs instead of 30...
and instead of being able to cover it in the minimum days, they'd like me to be there a bit everyday.

i've had another job offer thats 20hrs and the location is right next to uts so convinience-wise its great and there wont be any extra travel time. just it wont gimme any legal experience...its' not industry related at all.

and thats the thing thats sorta putting me off. i know i'm just first year so legal experinece isn't the be all end all, but i was wonderin: how much of a big deal is it at this stage?

 

[maka]

It depends upon how much you want legal work.

Like if the other job is in a professional field and you feel 25-30 hours is too much work, I would take the other job.

I couldnt imagine working more than about 25 hours a week during semester without having to sacrifice on something else.

 

[melsc]

Its not that important in first year and many don't even get the opportunity until 3-5 year. You have plently of time ahead of you to find a job that suits you. I would just kep looking and take the job that suits your time best as you need to determine your limitations etc..

 

[charlie_charlie]

I would say concentrate on developing as many skills as possible at this stage - employers would appreciate you to be as well rounded as possible. I'm still bumming at my retail monkey job in 4th year. Then again, if you can balance work and uni and life, a legal job will be excellent at this stage. But there will be more opportunities in the future and bumming around as a first year student is still a worthwhile experience - I miss my days of shopping and eating at Market City after Law Lectures...

 

[= Jennifer =]

i work 22 hrs a week I will let you know how well it works out soon when results come out