Part-time Jobs and Volunteering

How important is it to gain some work experience during your time at Aston?

The answer is simple: very!

Experience in the real world of work shows placement and graduate employers that you've gone beyond your academic studies to gain employability skills. In a competitive placement and graduate jobs market, work experience is highly valued and could be the difference between you landing a role or not.

A paid part-time job not only helps boost your CV, but can also boost your bank balance while you're studying. Employers across the region offer flexible opportunities that you can fit around your studies and commitments.

Volunteering is a win-win: the organisation gains support in delivering its service and you gain valuable experience in the working world. Approved volunteer work can be added to your Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR).

What do we mean by employability skills?

Employability skills are essential in a variety of roles and careers, whether it be in retail or radiography. You may not find them explicitly mentioned in job descriptions, but that doesn't mean employers aren't looking for them. Here are just a few examples:

Communication
Teamwork
Time management
Leadership
Problem-solving
Initiative

In interviews, it's likely you'll be asked to give examples of where you've shown these skills, and work experience gained through part-time work or volunteering makes answering these questions much easier.

Olivia Smith BSc IBAM

"Part-time work helped me to build an idea of what I wanted to do and made me very employable. I also gained a lot of confidence, inspiration and motivation to explore and not be afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone."

Education Recruitment Consultant for Frontline Education. Sydney, Australia.

How can the Careers & Placements team help?

The Careers & Placements team is on hand to help Aston students develop their early work experience and find part-time or voluntary roles to fit around their studies. They also offer CV support and advice on applying for roles, as well as help with interview preparation.

In addition, the team runs a range of events during the academic year where you'll have the chance to chat with employers. Keep an eye on our social media channels or Aston Futures for more details.

Start your search now

All of the vacancies which the Careers & Placements team source are added onto Aston Futures. Log in using your Aston student username and password.

Although we recommend using Aston Futures to start your search, we know it isn’t the only job portal available. Here are some links to some other suggested sites you can use to help you with your search:

Indeed

Indeed is one the biggest job sites in the UK and features a host of part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities.

Totaljobs

Totaljobs features hundreds of part-time jobs in a range of industry sectors.

StudentJob

StudentJob is a jobs board that specialises in helping students find part-time work to fit around their studies.

Student Ambassador and Mentor Scheme

An opportunity to work with young people as an ambassador for our student recruitment team. These roles are both rewarding and great for your CV!

CharityJob

One of the UK's biggest job sites for work in the charity sector. They work with both large and small charities across the UK to showcase volunteering roles.

FAQs

We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions our Careers and Placements team get about part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities.

How do I get help finding a part-time or volunteering role?: Log in to Aston Futures, where our part-time and voluntary opportunities are advertised. The Careers and Placements team keeps in touch with local employers and charities to find out what vacancies they have. Thousands of vacancies are advertised on Aston Futures every year – many of these exclusive to Aston University students. Aston Futures is also where placements, internships and graduate roles are advertised.
Where are the jobs based?: Any part-time jobs linked on Aston Futures will be located in the West Midlands area, with many situated close to campus.
Can I find a weekend job?: Employers understand you're a student and many are flexible to your needs, including offering weekend work.
When is the best time to look for work experience?: Begin as soon as you start university – preferably in your first term. It gives you a head start to build your employability skills and your CV.
What types of part-time jobs do the Careers and Placements team advertise?: The Careers and Placements team liaises with all sorts of organisations within a variety of sectors including marketing, care, administration, hospitality, retail and many more. Take a look at Aston Futures to see the wide variety of exciting opportunities we have for you.
What types of volunteering roles do the Careers and Placements team advertise?: Most of our advertised volunteering opportunities are course-related. We advertise roles that are related to business (administration, marketing & HR) as well as roles in befriending, IT and admin support. Take a look at Aston Futures to see the wide variety of exciting opportunities available.
Why should I get a part-time role?: Part-time jobs are a fantastic way to gain real-life examples of your skills in skills in action which will be perfect for your placement and graduate interviews later down the line, as all employers want to see evidence that you have some form of work experience. It tells them that you're self-motivated and that you understand the expectations an employer has of you. Plus there’s the added benefit of earning some money.
Why should I look for a volunteering role?: Aside from the valuable contribution you'll be making, working for a charity could allow you to experience an industry that relates to your course. You'll develop many transferable skills such as working as part of a team, dealing with people and overcoming obstacles. Approved volunteer work can also be added to your Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR).
What are the other benefits of work experience?: It'll give you an insight into the working world, you’ll develop a range of transferable skills and you’ll make new connections. It's also a great training ground for your placement or graduate career search, as you’ll gain experience applying for jobs and handling interviews.
Do I need a CV to apply for a part-time job or volunteering role?: Yes, you do. But don’t worry if you don’t have one yet. Book an appointment with the Careers and Placements team and we'll advise you on how to put your part-time work CV together.

You'll need a CV in the future when you're seeking your placement or looking for your graduate job, so this is a great chance to start working on it. You can develop it over time – your new work experience will need to be added for a start!
Will I need to attend an interview?: Almost every role you apply for will involve an interview, even if it’s quite informal. As with your CV, we can help you prepare for it, and it'll be great practice for your placement and graduate job searches.
Should I get work experience related to my degree?: Not necessarily. Whether it’s connected to your degree or not, work experience teaches you skills that help you become more employable. These may include teamwork, thinking for yourself, interpersonal behaviour and even simple things like punctuality.
How many hours do you recommend I work?: We don’t recommend working more than 20 hours per week during term-time – your studies must come first! If you're an international student, your visa could restrict your working hours. For more information about visa restrictions please contact the Hub.
What is a National Insurance number and how do I get one?: You can’t work without a National Insurance number. If you're a British student, you should have one already. If you're an EU/ International student, please contact the Hub for advice.
How do I know if I need to pay income tax?: It's a myth that students are exempt from taxation. If they earn enough, students pay tax along with the rest of the working population. The only way to avoid paying tax is by remaining below your personal tax allowance. Find out more about paying tax as a student.
Who can help me with employment issues? e.g. I've not been paid.: Firstly, raise the issue with your employer. You'll probably find it's resolved easily. If not, or you need advice, there's always someone here in the Careers and Placements team to help. We won’t contact employers on your behalf, but we will advise and support you.