Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with part-time

Help me find a part-time job!!

The1andonly — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:05:46 -0800

Part-time job ideas that are not minimum wage? I am a full time business analyst and a part time singer-songwriter. I am looking for some funds to do my own release of an album (I will self-release it on CDBABY, Itunes, etc).

I am currently employed in a financial services company somewhere in wall street. In order to finance my album I got into some debt thinking that in time I will be able to pay it back thinking I had a stable position right there and then my company stock went down 90% wiping out most of 401k (which I wont even look again until a year) and my position all of a sudden is not as stable as I thought it was.

I am looking to work part-time in order pay off the debt I incurred while recording the album (about 15k), I was thinking of working in a retail store but I mostly have office experience and was wondering whether there are any other faster ways of getting this money.

If it helps to know some of my info I've been steadily employed in said company for 4 years, graduated from NYU in 2005, and for the most part I am good with people and learn fast......any ideas of what I could do to pay off my debt faster? I am very sorry to say that I am not even sure I will have a job in the next couple of months the way things are going. Please help

Balancing work experience and college?

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:58:59 -0800

I am switching from full-time college with a part-time job to part-time college with a full-time job to gain more experience. I'm in the Web software development industry. How do I keep motivated and not get discouraged? I have had a part-time/full-time job since I was 15 developing a niche Web application. I've since graduated from high school and completed my freshman year at a nearby university working 30+ hrs/wk with classes 15 hrs/wk (not including studying) with a 3.5 GPA. The job is going downhill quickly with new management and many of my smart coworkers leaving for bigger out-of-state companies. If I could, I'd work somewhere else, but there isn't a lot of companies doing what I do in this area.

That's why, a few months ago, I resolved to quit the job by the end of summer to focus on getting my degree in Computer Science while living with my parents to cut expenses. I planned on doing some consulting type work, not for the money per se, but to keep my current skills.

A month ago, an ex-coworker called me asking if I'd be interested in joining their team at a company I always dreamed of working for. It's at a relatively large company in California. I decided that I should give it a shot because I have noting to lose-- and got the offer. It's definitely not over my head but it'll give me a new challenge. The job will start out using the skills I developed at my present job and I'll have the opportunity to learn more as I continue to work there. I'll get paid a lot of money and can live on my own. The people are great, I feel wanted, and the environment rocks.

The only problem is that I'm not through school yet! My friends and family think that this is a non-issue because I'm getting relevant job experience and the company will pay for school. My parents argue that continuing with school here will leave me without relevant experience when I graduate. Indeed, many of my coworkers are working below market to gain Web app experience-- and they have CS degrees from the university I have attended.

At the same time, I recognize the need for a good education. I know that the "CS theory" & math skills I have must be improved on if I want to continue a career in this field because the Web isn't going to be using my current skills forever. I plan on going to a local community college part-time with this full-time job. There is a university nearby but, of course, my admission there isn't guaranteed.

I'm concerned that I'll be a greater risk of getting discouraged with school. I'm concerned that I should be focusing on school to potentially transfer into a better school. (Basicially, that I should be a "traditional student" and not going part-time.) I'm concerned that if I don't take this job opportunity doing what I love, I'm going to regret it forever. However, I could leave this job after a year and return to the same university.

I'm looking for advice. I'm pretty much committed to taking the job right now but I'd like to get some perspective from others who have more experience than I do.

Here are a few starting points:

How do I transfer from a community college to a university as a part-time student? Should I look into online or distance education? Any gotchas? Should I be concerned about 7-10 year time limits on undergrad degrees?

Any wise words to keep me motivated to get through school and work? Will this job be an asset or a liability to applying for a university in a couple of years (think application essay and/or my knowledge gained on the job)?

Thanks everyone! You may contact me here: workingstudent@rocketmail.com

Should I become a Secret Shopper?

djuna — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:25:55 -0800

Can I really make extra money as a Secret Shopper? I'm looking for some part-time work and am considering becoming a Secret Consumer after seeing a job listing for this on a popular job search website. Can anyone vouch for the legitimacy and profitability of first, this type of work, and more specifically the website/organization SecretConsumer.com? If so, what's the catch?

A reliable work-at-home job

deeman — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:33:03 -0800

A reliable work-at-home part-time job? I graduated from college about two years ago and I have a full-time job. I'm looking to pay off as much debt as I can in the next year without sacrificing going out with friends etc. I figure if I can make an extra $250/week I'll be completely out of debt in a year and can start a decent savings plan.

The problem is that my full-time job may not like the fact that I'm looking for a part-time job because some days I work late and I don't want them to feel that I won't be reliable. Also, because there may be scheduling conflicts, I'm looking for a part-time work-at-home job that will realistically pay at least $250/week without any set hours.

I've looked online but have heard that many work-at-home jobs are a pipe dream or don't pay what they promise. I'm not looking to get rich quick, just something that will consistently bring in extra income. I've got programming and web development experience and photoshop/illustrator skills.

Does anyone have any recommendations for work-at-home jobs that:
- will realistically earn me $250/week
- doesn't have set/minimum hours
- is reliable (isn't a pipe dream)
- are good about payouts

Cover letter for a full-time job that shouldn't be

tigerjade — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:21:35 -0800

Help me write a winning cover letter! I'm trying to convince a company looking for software engineers that I could be a great addition even though I don't want to work full-time. I'm trying to write the perfect cover letter that'll convince a company that's looking for a software engineer that they'll benefit from hiring me on a part-time and/or after hours basis.

I have a job that I love, but we have a baby on the way and I'd like to get some more work to get into better financial shape (nesting doesn't just refer to painting the nursery!). I've found a job posting that looks ideal; they even want telecommuting. I have the intro paragraph down, and the teaser about how great I am ;> , but I can't figure out how to word the paragraph where I suggest that I would be a great fit on their team, just not from 8-5.

Or would it be better to just let it wait until they contact me to tell them I don't want a full-time day-time job?

Thanks to all!

Ideas for part-time jobs that don't require you to commit to very many hours per week?

socrates — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:33:49 -0800

Ideas for part-time jobs that don't require you to commit to very many hours per week? I'm a student but the on-campus jobs are basically all taken. Jobs where I could work with other students (or recent graduates) would be ideal.

Similar threads suggested Starbucks/Borders/Barnes&Noble/Princeton Review/Kaplan -- if you've worked for one of them, how did you like it?

How do I find a part time GIS job?

Morgangr — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:39:28 -0800

How do I find a part-time GIS job with a nonprofit or NGO in Washington DC? I recently took a job with the federal government here in DC. One of the big differences between this job and any other I have worked is that we are only allowed to work for 8 hours a day. No exceptions. No overtime. I am use to working 10 to 12 hours a day. I have spoken with several of my coworkers and many of them have second jobs; most often in retail. I have toyed with the idea of taking a second job, however I would prefer to work for a NGO or Nonprofit. I am a GIS professional and know that my skill set is in high demand. I am looking to work no more then 10 to 15 hours a week. I have searched Craigslist, local papers, monster and the normal GIS job boards. So far nothing. I have search askMetafilter and found several unique NGO/Nonprofit job boards but they all seem to be looking for full time employment. Is there a place anyone knows of that list only part time jobs? Or does anyone have other suggestions for finding a second job in the GIS field?

JobFilter

bad grammar — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:25:06 -0800

Should I accept this job? I've been offered a part-time librarian position at a special education school for junior high and high school kids with behavior and emotional disorders. I've worked as a library assistant there for about seven months (not continuously), being hired to help overhaul and set up the school library. They sometimes have had a full-time teaching librarian, and otherwise have hired a traveling consultant who was my immediate supervisor.

Though I don't have an MLS, I've done everything that a full-time librarian would do to maintain the collection, including entering new items in the computer catalog, processing new books, shelving, inventory, weeding out unsuitable books, etc. But I don't have experience teaching the students, and it isn't clear that I'm being hired to teach them. I don't have a degree or any experience in special ed.

Should I accept this job? I would prefer library work elsewhere, as this school is a depressing place to work in, and the full-time librarians seem to last as long as teachers of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. Furthermore, they'll probably be looking for a full-timer, though they haven't said so.

The students are mostly minority, and I am white / Asian. I can see that this might be a problem. I don't think of myself as racist, but I would like to avoid possible conflict. Of course my parents are afraid that someone will go VT/Columbine one day (it is a place where the students are searched as they arrive for the day).

I am also looking at law library assistant positions, which are more what I would like to do, but I don't know if I'll get any offers. If I take the school job for now, I feel bad because either I am stuck with it or because nobody (neither the school nor myself) is committed to it.

Do part time IT jobs exist?

tremolo1970 — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 19:39:31 -0800

Do part-time IT jobs exist? I've had enough of the self-employment/freelance thing and am looking to find a part-time IT job. Does anyone out there have experience in landing a 20-30 hour/week job in system administration (preferably) or tech support? And specifically, what about using a staffing firm/temp agency to find p/t IT jobs? Or how about landing a p/t contract? (I am ignorant to a lot of the contract/staffing stuff.)

I can find plenty of clerical work that pays a decent amount, however, I was thinking that if I could find a tech job that it would pay more. So far I did find a tech support position that was nights/weekends, but it didn't pay much more than an average clerical job.

My goal is to be able to replace some or most of my meager self-employment income, but still have some spare time during the day to work on another project I have cooking.

Am I wasting my time looking for a p/t IT position? Any suggestions?

What are good, easy part-time jobs?

clairezulkey — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:48:59 -0800

What are good, easy part-time jobs? When I got laid off, I spent most of my time looking for new jobs and freelance writing. I tried to get a job as a dog-walker but was turned down--they wanted people who would be with the organization long-term, not somebody who would quit once they got a new job. I would have returned to waitressing but then I wouldn't have been able to get my unemployment (I was looking for an office job.)

Have any of you supplemented income with part-time work? Other than, say, baby-sitting and waitressing, what are other part-time jobs that are good for people who want to earn a few extra bucks without dedicating a lot of time or working super-long shifts? (Mostly interested in positive, or at least not-bad experiences.)

Thanks!

I have the power...now what do I want?

fuzzbean — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 08:25:00 -0800

What's the best way for me to structure going from being a full-time, on site employee to a half-time, offsite one? Short version: I'm moving to New Zealand and various other places. I gave my notice to quit a few weeks ago, and my boss has approached me with the possibility of me working anywhere from full to part time remotely.

I don't really want to work more than 20-25 hours a week, as I want to have time to work on my own projects and pursue other interests. I've basically been told, "We can structure this however *you* want," whether that means signing on as an hourly consultant, as a part-time salaried employee (with benefits), as an hourly employee, etc., etc.--up to and including working full-time, salaried, benefited, remotely. They've offered to continue to pay for part of my health insurance costs (COBRA would be in the neighborhood of $350/mo), and to share the cost of a Windows laptop for business use.

What's the "best" way to structure this? No matter how I do this, I'm going to have to provide an accounting of my hours and work done, so consider that point irrelevant. I'm not very familiar with the tax implications of various statuses (aside from knowing that if I'm a consultant I'll have to pay those myself rather than having them withheld.)

What are your suggestions and recommendations? I'm in a great negotiating position here...what do I ask for?

Part-time w/benefits??

crapulent — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 04:01:26 -0800

Where can I work part-time and get benefits? I'm making a pathetic attempt to beat the system (or else I'm moving to Canada). The pay doesn't have to be spectacular, just reasonable. I think Whole Foods and Wild Oats offer benefits to part-time employees, but I need more options.

Which job should I pick?

Jaybo — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 22:42:12 -0800

Which job should I pick? My current job at a non-profit organization. It's four days a week which I love, four weeks of holidays plus a bonus week at Christmas, offers good benefits, pays a decent wage, and allows me some flexibility with my hours.

It's also been incredibly stressful for the past year with a fair-sized deficit, staff running a full complement of programs even though we were short-staffed for the last year and probably will be for the next year due to an extended maternity leave, undergoing a major audit by a funding agency, and a variety of internal problems mostly related to the chaotic, unorganized nature of our organization in general. In a very creative environment, my job tends to be one that is "grinding" and detail-oriented in a way that I'm not great at. Because of all of these things, I find myself taking my job home, worrying about it, having restless sleeps, feeling depressed.

I've been offered a part-time job as a clerk at a local children's library that would be a nice change of pace, probably more fulfilling than my current job and could lead to a full-time position in the future though it's anybody's guess how soon this would happen. On the negative side, it would be a step backwards in terms of my career, would be only two days a week but this would mean 2/3 less salary so I would have to likely find another decent PT job to complement this one, I'd have to work a lot more evenings and weekends as opposed to my current job's (mostly) Mon-Thursday hours.

It really comes down to this: "I love everything my current job offers me but don't enjoy the work I'm asked to do." "If the job I've been offered was four or five days a week instead of two, I'd take it in a minute."

I'm leaning slightly towards the library job whereas my wife thinks I should tough it out at my current job until something better comes along.

Help me decide - I need a decision by the end of the day on Monday September 25!

part time jobs

gottabefunky — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 21:27:13 -0800

What's a good part-time job that doesn't suck? One that's flexible, pays more than minimum wage, and won't have you reaching for the cyanide pills after two weeks. [MI] Sitting behind a desk all day doing someone else's drudgery didn't work out. Full-time freelancing is a financial highwire. So there's gotta be something in between, to augment the latter: a good 20-or-so-hour-per-week gig for a 30-something with too much education and a short attention span. Something to cover the bills.

In a perfect world it would have flexible hours (and you could do it anywhere), it would be at least somewhat mentally challenging, pay decently, and not require another degree or months and months of training.

I've considered: working in a bookstore (dull, but you can read on the job) or outdoor gear store (up my alley, but retail - ug), substitute teaching (high stress, but over at the end of the day), full-time teaching (use the masters', challenging, maybe even rewarding, but high stress and low pay), playing in a band again (fun, but bar smoke shortens lifespan), and waiting tables (actually, no - swore I'd never do that again).

I was inspired, kind of, by a formerly-drifting friend who just got certified in massage and reflexology. Pays great, totally flexible, short certification process, relaxed working environment. I'm thinking something like that, just one where you don't have to touch strangers all day.

So come on - what are the great secret semi-careers? What can you learn relatively quickly and then do occasionally and make decent cash doing? Something like...nursing sounds perfect, except for the years of training. What else? Real estate agent? Building inspector? Pizza delivery? Birthday clown?