Working in School

• You may be used to working your way through school. With few exceptions it is very very hard to do in a PhD program
• Many universities have a job website for students (e.g.,__jobcenter.wisc.edu__) and a lot of these jobs are geared towards grad students.
  • But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Earning money gets easier later in your program when you can do things like data analysis etc. for pay
    • It’s possible, but working will almost certainly add years to the time you need to complete a PhD. So you need to keep an eye on how extra years will affect your grad funding. It’s possible you can earn less money over the long term by working a 2nd job if it impedes progress enough.
    • Also, if faculty “find out” it may also communicate that you are not taking your research/other work “seriously,” so there might be non-monetary consequences.
      • It might be worth finding out from students further along in your program whether there are any faculty who are particularly sympathetic to the need to work to pay the bills. They can become allies in navigating university policy about taking on outside work - which is technically not permitted in many programs.
  • The best case job scenario is probably to have your supervisor PI (lead) a grant that includes your PhD research, so they can pay you to work on your own project. Explore whether this might be a possibility (it might hinge on you ghostwriting a successful grant application).
  • 3-year vs 2-year programs; getting a job while in school not attached to the school; you don't have to get school credit to do an internship; you may learn more about your chosen profession outside of class than in it; career resources is limited in what they can/will do for you if you're in a small program; grad school vs. undergrad
  • Stay in touch with peers on their way out who have part time jobs they can hook you up with. A lot of folks in my dep’t work second jobs (babysitting, catering, ETS scoring, test prep class teaching (Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc.) editing/proofreading, transcription, translation, etc) and we share this (job opportunity) info with each other.
    • ETS scoring (especially AP exams) is an excellent way to recoup some summer pay. I did this for a few years in grad school, and at over $1300 for a week of my time, the check helped fund research each summer.
  • Drop a resume off at ALL the local schools (guidance department, typically). It is a great way to get tutoring jobs-- even if your program doesn't allow outside employment they likely can't bust you for under the table tutoring gigs.
    • Where I did my PhD I could easily make somewhere between 70 and 90/hr tutoring. One or two tutoring gigs a week made a HUGE difference.
  • Are there programs within your uni that offer tutoring/extra help sessions? I made a substantial amount of extra money working within the uni running undergraduate review sessions for students in a NYS sponsored program called CSTEP/STEP. There is also HEOP in New York State which often runs review sessions, tutoring and summer programs. There are probably similar programs in other states. If your uni has one of these programs talk to them, they are often desperate for tutors, and once you are involved in them they offer great community, connections and support. Even though I wasn’t allowed outside employment there were no rules against me being additionally employed within the university. I worked both the academic semester and summers for this program and it made a huge difference.
  • Little known fact (US only): Federal Work Study Program can be tapped by graduate students if you did not exhaust your eligibility as an undergrad (few do). If you can find an on campus job (e.g., in a quiet library) you will be a “nearly free” employee to your university b/c the feds pay most of your wage. A 10 hour a week job at $10 an hour can be the utility bill, the food money, the decent pair of shoes for interviewing in $$.
  • Check your uni for other departments that hire part-timers; they’ll be used to (sometimes set up for) working around student schedules. If there is a community or city college nearby, check them as well. Usually, within the school you are hirable your first or second year; for local colleges, usually once you’ve attained an MA.
  • Also note that some universities are now banning or otherwise restricting outside employment. And this information can be difficult to find. Ask first! (If you find yourself in one of these scenarios, you can find a workaround by acting as an independent contractor in the summer. This is useful for those planning to explore careers outside the professoriat). Some fellowships also have stipulations against outside employment. MANY DO
    • And if you feel the need to gain some approval or affirmation that this is "not against the rules" - students in your program might know a faculty member or two who also had to work to make ends meet and has a track record of helping students play this game…
    • This is a great point and one I would not have known if it were not in my contract. I recommend reading through contracts (if they're used).
    • While you should absolutely be aware of your contract, some places turn a blind eye (as long as it doesn't impact your academic progress). Also, some places allow employment but cap the hours. In both cases, you should ask other students in the program (or perhaps even the department secretary) if those rules are actually enforced. Even if they do enforce an hourly limit, that doesn't necessarily apply to freelance work where you're paid in a lump sum.
    • And since you have to sign a contract in order to get said fellowship, you need to read what you're signing in case you're signing away your ability to work in a competitive/comparable industry).
  • However, if you’re an international student, check very carefully to see if your visa allows you to work (at all and/or off-campus) before accepting employment. You could risk deportation if you accept paid employment without permission.
    • An F1 visa, which most international students are on, allows you to work 20 hours a week ONLY FOR THE UNIVERSITY where you study during the semester. This includes graduate teaching and research assistantship hours. During school vacations you are allowed to work up to 40 hours a week only for the university where you study.
      • Some schools administer semester-long “fellowships” as research assistantships with no duties which, unlike a real fellowship, still count towards your 20 hours of allowed work. Be aware of HOW you’re getting paid.
  • Don’t be afraid to do basic non-academic jobs for pay, especially during the summer. I cleaned houses in the summers (as one of my jobs). I was tired, but it supplemented my income in a way that didn’t tax my brain, so I could write and work on my own stuff as well. People were a little horrified, but I’ve always worked, and it was a better gig than some of the academic ones.
  • Many of the skills that make you an excellent academic--especially writing and research--could also make you some cold hard cash. Consider freelancing on elance or Upwork (or other online platforms) as a side hustle. Sometimes, folks are looking to partner with a subject matter expert (SME) to develop online content, and your PhD-in-progress can help you go far if you connect with the right person. (Freelancing keeps me fed in the summertime and keeps me in the little luxuries like electricity and hot water during the academic year!) Doing this might make your taxes a little more complicated: because the work you do as a freelancer will be considered self-employment, you’ll need to pay your portion plus your employer’s portion of your federal and state taxes. You can, however, take deductions for things like home offices and other business expenses. Sort of a hassle, but ultimately worth it if you need the money. (Freelancing might also be an avenue of employment for non-US citizens, but double check that before you commit to any projects.)
  • Is there a practical component to your dissertation work, i.e. does it involve making things, designing, creating art, testing things, etc.? If so, don’t be afraid to start your own small business. Do this early in the program, if you can -- it can take a few years to build a client list, but after a couple of years it can be a major boon to your financial situation, and dovetail nicely with your professional development. It can also be easier to adjust your weekly hours to fit with university policy & your fluctuating academic schedule.