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Have you ever worked or thought about working more than one job at a time?
Well, did you know that In 2022, there were a little over one million employees who were employed at two or more jobs simultaneously in Canada?
As a graduate student, a full-time worker, and a part-time teaching assistant, I too am working more than one job at a time.
I always get comments such as “How do you do it”? or “You must be so tired.”
I've learned a lot over the years working more than one job at a time. It can be both rewarding and challenging.but I've learned some strategies to manage having multiple jobs.
Some pros and cons
You may need help deciding if working more than one job is right for you, or to create a healthy work-life balance while juggling multiple responsibilities.
Evaluating the pros (rewards) and cons (challenges) can help you decide.
Pros
Extra income
More knowledge/experience
Skill development
Cons
Less personal/free time
Increased exhaustion
Risk of neglecting one job
Ask yourself:
Why do you need/want more than one job?
Are you struggling to make ends meet financially?
Do you want to grow your network?
Are you looking to increase your experience or knowledge?
Do you hope to grow your skills?
When I took on two jobs, my main goal was to grow my experience.
Write down your goals if it helps you decide!
Things to consider
When I was working more than one job, I realized there were a few important things to keep in mind. These included staying motivated, being committed, getting permission from my main employer, and taking care of my health and well-being.
Consider:
Motivation: Do you feel motivated to take on the additional responsibilities?
Time: You may have other things going on in life. Do you have the time to commit to a second or third job?
Financial: Sure, an extra income sounds great, but is the extra income worth the time and effort?
Conflict of interest: Check with your current company and the contract that you signed. Read more about conflicts of interest.
Health and well-being: Make sure you put your health and well-being first! Can you physically or mentally handle more than one job?
For me, the main thing I needed to consider was the time. Did I have the time to take on more responsibilities?
Photo by Abdul A on UnsplashQuiz
You're currently in school full-time and working part-time at a fast-food chain. You want to make extra income by taking on a second job but you're worried this will affect your grades. What should you do first? Select all that apply:
Before you commit, you should weigh out the pros & cons. This will help you determine whether taking on another job is worth it. You should also create a time management schedule to ensure that you have enough time to make this commitment.
Find a balance
When I chose to work as a teaching assistant in addition to my studies, the main thing on my mind was keeping a good balance between work and life!
If you do choose to go ahead with working at multiple jobs, you need to ensure that you can find a healthy work-life balance.
You definitely want to be careful not to burn yourself out!
How to find that balance
The key is proper time management!
Create a time management schedule for yourself! There are many benefits to time management.
Proper time management will teach you to:
Prioritize your tasks
Meet your deadlines
Allocate time for yourself!
If you practice good time management, you'll be able to do more and feel less stressed!
For more on time management check out this Byte: Time Management 101
Quiz
You end up taking a second job. What is one way you can maximize your free time?
Creating a time management schedule allows you to have a visual picture of how you are going to spend your time. With your schedule, you can make time for productive tasks, as well as free time!
Key takeaways
Having multiple jobs can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time.
For me, the most rewarding part is the greater appreciation for my free time and increased skill development. The most challenging part for me is setting boundaries.
Remember, these takeaways could look different depending on your needs.
Time management
You'll understand how to prioritize and make time for yourself. You'll be grateful for your free time!
Soft & hard skills
Through working multiple jobs, you'll enhance your skills and learn new ones.
Career goals
Working more than one job allows you to explore different work environments and establish career goals.
Boundary setting
Be open and honest with your employers and set boundaries for yourself. It's okay to say no.
Take Action
Are you ready to take on multiple jobs?
This Byte has been authored by
Pamela Morrone
Future Instructional Designer