Work/Financial
Why is your work and financial health important?
There’s more to school than just the classroom. As a university student, financial health is something that many can’t afford to forget. Costs quickly add up and over 30% of UBC students mentioned finances being difficult to handle.[1] For some, finding work is a way to alleviate this form of stress. Increased confidence, transferrable skills, and enhanced employability are further positive effects of holding a part time job; however, students should also be mindful of work-related stress and tiredness that may come with the job. Other aspects of work and financial health include budgeting and career planning. By educating yourself about your options, you can develop better balance in this area of your life.
Some things to consider for your work and financial health
Seek volunteer or work experience
- Getting Involved will help you learn more about yourself – such as what you enjoy and what you don’t enjoy doing. There are many ways to get involved on campus: UBC Peer Programs, clubs, undergraduate societies, the AMS and their services. The opportunities are endless!
- Work Study and Work Learn are two UBC resources for students to use in finding the perfect part-time job. Many of the jobs are on campus, work well with student hours, pay above minimum wage, and may be relevant to your future career. Browse through the job postings often as they are updated fairly frequently.
Develop career plans
- If you are unsure about your career path after post-secondary, make the most of the resources that are available to you. Talk to an advisor about opportunities in your faculty such as Co-op, Internships, or Tri-Mentoring. By getting a sense of what to expect in the workforce, you’ll be able to decide if what you’re working towards is right for you. UBC Career Services is another great campus resource, providing career advising and other services to help you out.
- Connect with potential employers by going to career fairs, and open interviews. There are also clubs on campus that host networking nights based on your major/program. Look for them on Clubs Day or on the AMS website.
- You can also learn more about the career you’re interested in, or other career possibilities at WorkBC.
Manage financial life resources
- Whether it’s moving out for the first time, or saving up for a car, it’s important to learn how to build a budget and develop good credit. Use tools like CanLearn’s
Learning to Save resource and UBC’s budget planning worksheet as a starting point. - Paying for tuition and books takes up a large part of a student’s budget. To see if you are eligible for any awards or bursaries, Financial Assistance and Awards in Brock Hall can provide you with more information.
- Student Awards, an online resource, sends out emails periodically informing students about upcoming bursary and scholarship deadlines that they can apply for. Sign up on their website if you want to receive these emails.
- If you find yourself in an emergency situation or faced with an unexpected expense, contact Student Financial Assistance & Awards. You can make an appointment with an advisor to review your current financial situation and explore funding options.
- Be thrifty. As a student, you may not always be able to afford the trip to Whistler, or a night out. Find out about local, fun, and inexpensive things to do at UBC and in Vancouver.
- Get to know about places at UBC where you can get cheap and healthy food.
For some great student-to-student strategies for maintaining your work and financial health, check out the Healthy Minds Blog.
