With the start of the new semester comes the stress of college, and for some, an awesome part-time job.

Everyone likely has had some part-time job or side hustle, but do they know how beneficial their job could truly be?

It’s no secret that college students are strapped for cash, and having a part-time job while enrolled in college can help with that. While working, you can cut down on the number of loans you have to take, while also earning some spending money for an extra Starbucks run. The additional money teaches you early on how to manage and save your money so you can be financially independent later on in life.

Since you will be going to school and having a job, you will develop effective time management skills that will not only help you while in school but also as a young professional outside of college. Professors and employers expect you to be on top of the game and having a part-time job can help since you need to find an effective schedule that works for you.

A part-time job can give you that much-needed experience in your field. Maybe you’ll be a receptionist at the school you will teach in the future.

Even that part-time job working at Panera can help you find something better once you graduate. Employers love to know that you have experience, and even a basic entry-level job can provide skills that can be transferred to any industry or job.

Even if your part-time job isn’t your dream job, it’s great to get your foot in the door. You can have the experience to put on your resume which can give you a leg up compared to your peers who didn’t have a job while in college.

You can still make and find connections through your part-time job even if you don’t like it. Your coworker might help you find an awesome job in the future, and maybe that customer will help you land an interview at a company you want to work at.

If you’re having trouble making friends in college, maybe you could find some friends at work. Those friends could potentially become lifelong and help you cope with the stress of being a college student.

All in all, it’s important to have a balanced social life, personal life and professional life, and having a part-time job can help you get the push you need to effectively balance and manage your life for the better.

Even if the job is not glamorous, it can still provide many perks that are essential for college students to be aware of.