Life as a student and Starbucks barista

Many students hold jobs on campus as part of their financial aid package, and jobs are funded either by University departments or the Federal Work-Study program. Students who are receiving financial aid get priority when it comes to on-campus jobs, but there are many employment opportunities for those students not on financial aid.

So why work off campus?

Though Princeton provides employment opportunities on-campus, some students prefer to work off campus, either at internships or at stores and restaurants in town. Students who prefer to work off campus, either at local stores and restaurants or in internships often find a variety of rewards, from gaining experience in a particular field to taking advantage of meeting different kinds of people.

Off campus internships allow students to explore career fields that they may want to pursue after graduation. Emery Whalen '09 is an intern at BOMB Magazine and works two days a week at its office in New York City.

"I'm still thinking about either law or magazines, which are totally opposite," Whalen said. "I have an LSAT book I take with me on the train on my way to work."

At BOMB, Whalen does whatever odd jobs the office needs taken care of, from making photocopies to transcribing artists' interviews.

"Transcribing is my favorite part," Whalen said. "It's fascinating to hear these famous artists' voices as they have such intimate conversations about their art."

For Andrea Francis '11, continuing to work at Starbucks was easier than trying to find a job on campus.

"I wasn't sure how [on-campus employment] worked, so I got a transfer from my job in California," Francis said. "I had been working there for over a year, so I knew how everything worked."

When asked whether she enjoys getting off campus a few hours each week, Francis said that "about half the customers are Princeton students anyway, and really, it feels like town is part of campus, so it doesn't really feel like I'm getting away."

Some students may even find their living situation on campus to be more isolating then traveling off campus every week.

"Living in 1903 [Hall] makes me lose touch with people more than going to the city every week," Whalen said.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Whalen also holds a job on campus, working in President Tilghman's office as an assistant. She said she finds her work off campus to be more challenging and has enjoyed getting more technical experience working for the magazine.

Students looking for jobs, whether on campus or off, may find the Student Employment website helpful. Clicking on the link "Browse Job Categories" brings up lists of on- and off-campus job opportunities in several fields. Among some of the current listings was a request for a caricature artist at Six Flags theme park and a "Test Developer Internship for English Language Learning Tests," which offers $1,000 per week for six weeks. Another popular place for students to search for jobs and internships is TigerTracks, a website provided through Career Services that allows employers and alumni to list job openings. Students can search these listings by specific type of work and location.

Princeton's number-one tip on getting a job? According to the Student Employment website, "Do not be afraid to use your contacts."