BENEFITS OF WORKING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Abygail Smit

@Abysmit06

 

Many students use their vacation time to rest, reconnect with friends, and simply unwind. Others, however, choose to spend their break doing holiday work — whether to gain experience, earn extra money, or simply keep themselves busy. Here’s a look at how students at North-West University (NWU) perceive holiday jobs.

 

KeyStaff Professionals, a company created to assist businesses with recruitment and outsourcing, explains on their website, keystaffpro.com, that having a job during the holidays brings numerous benefits for students. These benefits include:

 

• Hands-on learning opportunities: Students can gain practical experience in fields such as retail, customer service, or logistics. This exposure builds transferable skills like problem-solving, communication, and time management — all qualities that future employers value.

 

• Boosting your holiday budget: Extra expenses such as gifts, travel, and outings can strain a student’s budget. A holiday job can help relieve some of the financial pressure.

 

• Seasonal perks: Some seasonal positions offer additional benefits such as discounts on merchandise, free meals, or even tickets to festive events. These perks vary depending on the job.

 

An anonymous source, who studies English and Literary Studies at the NWU, said they decided to work during the holidays to gain experience and build an impressive CV. They believe that holiday work is beneficial because it not only provides experience but also gives students an advantage in future job applications. They emphasized, however, that rest is important — especially because it is a vacation period.

 

Daniel Ferreira, an NWU student studying Sport Coaching with Human Movement Science, decided to start working to make extra money. Although his holiday job isn’t related to his field of study, he has learned that time management is crucial when balancing work and university commitments. Ferreira says retail is a good job to consider during the holiday season, and through working, he has learned to work hard, find purpose in his job, and handle realistic life challenges.

 

With the demands of academics, sport, and the arts, students work hard throughout the year. Using your vacation time for a holiday job can feel draining, but it’s important to recognize the benefits. As students, we are preparing for our future careers, and working during the holidays can strengthen your professional skills, enhance your CV, and open doors to potential job opportunities.

 

Just remember to stay mindful of burnout and avoid pushing yourself too hard — you’re still learning how to thrive in this new stage of life.

 

 

Edited by Simoné de Witt