1. Definition of part-time job
Part-time job is an employment characteristic which has seen rapid growth for several decades in society. According to Basterlaer, Lemaitre and Marianna (1997), the phenomenon of part-time job is determined in respect to weekly working hours compared with those of an equivalent full-time job. While digging more deeply into investigation and analysis of part-time job definition, scientists have shown a variety in its clarification from country to country. For instance, in Australia, people who work less than 35 hours per week are classified as part-time laborers whereas in Canada, part-time jobs are supposed to account for less than 30 working hours per week. (Basterlaer, Lemaitre & Marianna, 1997). This may be due to the fact that full-time employment has not got an officially international interpretation about the margin of working hours per week yet; therefore, clarification of part-time job also varies by each country (Gomez, Rons & Marti, 2002). However, on general, in the consideration of international study, the most reasonable definition of part-time job can be applied for which do not exceed the usual hour per week of 30 hours.
2. Purposes of doing part-time jobs
It can be seen clearly that many undergraduates work while studying at school. According to American Community Survey in 2011 (as cited in Davis, 2012), 72% of undergraduate undergraduates worked in full-time or part-time jobs. Although most of students who do part-time jobs report that their getting a job is prompted by the demand of raising money for study and personal life (Ransome, 2006), the objectives of these part-time employees are not simply for earning some income. Significantly, many students are willing to do part-time jobs owing to having a job will make students feel more self-dependent and acquire experience for their future career (Lyn, 1999). The same study also indicates there is are a small number students who are urged to do part-time jobs to make ends meet for their living and studying, which account for approximately only one tenth of the whole employees. These students are mostly among who receive means-tested benefits.
3. Benefits of doing part-time jobs
While doing part-time jobs may be overwhelmed for freshmen who are getting accustomed to the new mode of life (Boyington, 2014); however, it is more possible for seniors to take advantage of part-time employment. There are several benefits of doing part-time jobs during studying higher education. First and foremost, according to Greaves, a Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Marketing Management student at the University of Guelph, (2013), one outstanding benefit of doing part-time jobs is that, it provides students a steady income to relief their financial burden. Secondly, students working part-time can achieve beneficial experiences both in working and studying, as well as sharpen their soft skills (Greaves, 2013; Ransom, 2006). In particular, part-time student employees can learn how to work more efficiently and productively, they can develop team working skills, learn time management skills, strengthen leadership skills and improve their money management skills (Greaves, 2013; Hammond, 2006). In addition, some research indicates that having part-time jobs with rational working hours, approximately fewer than ten hours per week, can help students obtain higher Grade Point Average, compared with those who do not work at all (Hammond, 2006; Mussie, Kathryn & Marzie, 2014). Last but not least, as reported by Shanahan, Finch, Mortimer & Ryu (1991); Mihalic & Elliott (1997) (as cited in Ransom, 2006), doing part-time jobs can encourage students’ self-confidence, independence and maturity. In brief, a stable flow of income, an opportunity to gain experiences, soft skills and enhance independence are the most significant benefits of doing part-time jobs among second-year students.
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