Current openings in Colombia
When you are studying abroad, you may find that a part-time job can really help pay a few extra pennies or fund leisure activities and travel that would have otherwise been outside of your budget.
If you have been thinking of working whilst studying abroad, you are not alone, many international students seek employment during their studies.
When searching for a suitable job, it’s important to take several things into account, such as the laws in your country of study, and whether there is a limit to the number of hours you can work according to your visa type, if applicable.
Different countries have different regulations when it comes to work available to international students, so it’s important to check them before applying for jobs. Another important things you should take into account is your studies and lifestyle. A job should thus have minimal impact on your education.
A good job should:
- Fit the student’s lifestyle (part-time jobs that leave enough time for your course and studying or provide flexible working hours)
- Enable a student to develop stronger language skills (very important for international students who are not native speakers)
- Help a student integrate quickly into a new culture and meet new friends
- Ideally, offer some good work experience and open future opportunities.
You may already have an idea of what you want to do here, but if not, we have put together a list of some of the most common and accessible part-time jobs for international students.
Work at the University
Working on campus is one of the most popular alternatives for international students. There are diversities of jobs offered on campus, from working in the writing center, as a teaching assistant, in the cafeteria, to computer centers.
Another on-campus option is working in the students’ union. This is a good opportunity to get involved in current issues and to help other students at the university. Depending on the union and their mission, you might be able to help other international students and support them in getting around the university.
As an international student, working on campus will help you meet new people, improve your language skills, and render you some valuable experience. You will probably spend more time with your friends from the university since many students work on campus in most of cases.
One downside to working on your campus is that paid work at the university is usually stiffly competitive. There are many international and domestic students who wish to work part-time during their studies, so itis important to get ready for the interview and to show enthusiasm even if the type of work is not particularly exciting.
Restaurants and Bars
There are many jobs offered at the bars, restaurants, and cafes in the surrounding towns and cities, and this might be the easiest way for you to find employment. Restaurants are always looking for more help, so chances are that you will find a job relatively easily. You could work as a waiter, bar staff, or even in the kitchen, depending on your experience, skills, and preferences.
These types of jobs may require good communication skills but there are often no formal requirements when it comes to past work experience. It means you will probably be able to find a job at a restaurant, which might be an excellent opportunity for an international student. This job opportunity will help you build your interpersonal skills, improve language proficiency and make you new friends.
Call Centres
Some international students find employment at call centers. This is a good choice for those who are communicative, friendly, and confident in their language and computer skills.
Also, call center jobs are not physically demanding, so they are a good choice if you prefer or need an office environment. On the other hand, working at a call center can be demanding. You need to possess excellent communication skills and proven above average language skills.
Customer Service related jobs
A common way to begin your employment journey can be through the customer service inclined job posts. Customer service employment can often be part-time and available to first-time job seekers because the training will happen on the job and flexible work schedules.
It is a great opportunity to learn many transferable skills and some organizations even offer extra training or professional development to gradually progress your time in the organization. If you enjoy interacting with people and care about how people are greeted, then this could be an area of interest to try.
"I am currently working as a Guest Relations Officer for Merit hotel. On a day-to-day basis I get to meet or work with people from everywhere." - Diyora Muattar from Uzbekistan
For companies interested in working with RocApply
For companies interested in working with RocApply to secure employment for students please send us an email at Colombia@RocApply.com
