Part-Time Work: For

by STEF VAN GERVEN

Part time work is one of those necessary evils. Without it, you’d probably homeless or sober. Aside from the fact that it is 15 hours a week that could be better spent on Facebook chat or getting your Sim a promotion, it has its upsides too.

NEW FRIENDS!

Part time work is a great way to meet new people. So there are some pretty daft characters at uni and those friends you had in high school are about as interesting as a fashion blog. Luckily, workplaces are full of every variation of human being. Within this petri dish of personalities, something great is cultivated. There is nothing like a mutual hatred for the retail and hospitality industries to bond the young and the poor. These are the kind of bonds you don’t usually get to the opportunity to form. The bonds can sometimes end up lasting a lifetime. And even if they don’t, they are a pretty fun perk of working at the time.

FREE STUFF!

If you don’t receive freebies at work, you’re at least scoring some sort of discount. Who doesn’t like cheap or free food? Who would pass up the opportunity to get new clothes for half price? And who wouldn’t do a sneaky shot between serving the rude and obnoxious? The best things in life are free, duh!

POSITIVE DISTRACTION!

Here’s a place that won’t distract you in 140 characters or less. Work is a very healthy distraction from pending assignments, bills and your love life or lack thereof. Mental breaks are the key to passing uni. Luckily, this break doesn’t make you fatter or rob you of your dignity. Instead, you get paid to meet people and get free things. How great is part time work sounding now?!

GETTING YOUR ANGER OUT!

The retail and hospitality industries are high stress environments. This isn’t just because of the speed of service, but because humanity is full of passive aggressive types who want to ruin your day. Let this be your catharsis. A customer doesn’t like the price of food? MAKE THEM A SHITTY MEAL! A customer doesn’t like your service? HAVE THEM ESCORTED OUT THE STORE! Of course, too much anger might cost you your job. Give your favourite co-worker a dead arm instead.

MONEY!

Money is pretty handy. It buys you petrol, pays the rent and gets you your 10^th vodka and raspberry. Money is the best part of having a job. Somehow, those little pieces of paper remedy smelling like burgers and dealing with drunks every single time. Just remember, you’re earning money so you can pay for uni and not have to work in fast food or retail ever again. You too can grow up to take your frustrations out on customer service reps and sales assistants when you’re having a bad day.