The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the professional landscape. Recent data showed that as of May 2022, 24% of UK workers are hybrid workers and 14% work fully remotely. As a result, students and graduates must now navigate a totally different workplace. From remote internships to virtual onboarding, the students of today are tasked with learning a brand new way of working. Remote student jobs are the perfect way to build valuable skills and experience in today’s new era of virtual careers.
We explore 5 compelling reasons why remote student jobs can help prepare you for your future career path.
How Remote Student Jobs Can Propel Students’ Careers
The benefits of remote work are huge, especially for students and graduates. Here are 5 top ways a remote student job could benefit your career.
1. Remote Student Jobs Offer Flexibility
Perhaps one of the most obvious advantages of remote student jobs is the flexibility they provide. Online jobs for students are flexible enough to fit around busy schedules, classes, assignments, and personal commitments. And this is an essential deciding factor for many job seekers.
According to the 2018 Deloitte Millenial Survey, 50% of millennials and 44% of Gen Zers rank job flexibility as a very important factor. With the next generation of workers already expecting flexible work options, remote working fulfils this need. Since remote student jobs can be done from anywhere, students can stay in employment during the summer, after they graduate, and during any major life changes.
What’s more, thanks to the rise of online learning, the profile of students and graduates is more diverse than ever. Remote student jobs offer student parents, foreign students, and low-income students the opportunity to earn while they learn. As a result, the pool of recent graduates and school-leavers is more diverse than ever.
2. They Save Money (and the Planet!)
Generally speaking, most students are strapped for cash. Between tuition fees, school supplies, and living costs, students have a lot of expenses and very little time to earn money. With most students taking on part-time jobs (or relying on their parents for financial support), saving the pennies where you can is a must.
Data shows that 75% of UK workers commute less than 10 miles to work, with 20% commuting between 5 to 10 miles every day. Commuting can be expensive. Whether you pay for petrol or public transport, there is an extra cost involved. A great advantage of remote student jobs is that there is no commute. This reduces extra expenses on petrol, transport, and food. Plus, it’s better for the environment.
3. They Develop Vital New Skills
A common misconception about remote work is that you lose out on some valuable skills, such as communication, collaboration, and creativity. However, the opposite is true. Remote workers learn a host of tools that help them to develop those key skills. For example, collaborative tools such as Miro are perfect for brainstorming and team planning.
Conferencing tools such as Zoom also come with a range of engagement tools that actually foster more creativity and employee engagement. Features such as breakout rooms, polls, and whiteboards have turned even face-to-face meetings into more interactive, engaging, and creative spaces.
Remote jobs for students empower students to discover these tools early, learning how to create, collaborate, and engage virtually. On top of technical skills, remote work also hones some key soft skills. Virtual workers have to learn the art of self-motivation, communication, initiative, and attention to detail. They must stay in constant contact with their teams while maintaining a higher level of autonomy and accountability. These skills are invaluable in any career, but particularly for budding entrepreneurs or business owners.
4. Working Online Encourages Students to Network
Finding a remote job as a student will encourage you to grow your network. This is a crucial skill to learn for your future career. Networking helps you meet professionals and potential mentors who could support you as you enter the workforce. While many in-person networking events have slowed down, there is a plethora of online networking events for students in the UK.
New to networking? Check out our top online networking tips for students.
Students who work remotely are more likely to use online platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to grow their network and build an online presence. In doing so, they are getting a leg up on the competition, by developing their personal brand while they study. What’s more, they can use these platforms to showcase their portfolios and share their endorsements and achievements.
5. They Broaden Your Horizons
Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity both professionally and personally. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to get this opportunity. If you were not able to study or work abroad, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the benefits. Finding a remote job as a student gives you the chance to apply for positions further afield. With location no longer a barrier, you look for student jobs across the UK (or the globe!) and experience working in a diverse culture.
On top of broadening your horizons, it also increases your chance of finding a student job if you live in a rural area where there aren’t many job opportunities.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of remote student jobs are huge. In addition to being flexible enough for students’ busy schedules, they are a wonderful opportunity to develop valuable employability skills.
Our website, Developing a Student has many valuable resources for students and graduates, including CV writing tips and cover letter writing tips. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter with the form below.
Looking for your dream job? Be sure to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities near you.
