Amelia
New member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2026
- Messages
- 11
I'm a student at SJSU, and honestly, the cost of living here is no joke. My "student job" basically needs to pay like a full-time career just to afford my half of a shoebox apartment in San Jose. I’m currently working about 25-30 hours a week at a tech support call center, and I am exhausted.
My grades are starting to slip, but I can't afford to drop hours because I need the money for rent and instant ramen.
I see all these postings for "fun" student jobs on campus, but they pay like $17/hr, which just doesn't cut it out here. The off-campus stuff pays better but is way more demanding.
I’m trying to figure out if there’s a middle ground. I’ve thought about trying to get a job at Stanford or one of the big tech companies as a part-time contractor, but the commutes are killer. I’m also looking into remote work, but that market is so saturated.
For my fellow California college students, especially in the Bay or LA, how do you balance it? How many hours are you working? Is there a secret industry I’m missing that pays well and understands you have midterms? Send help (and caffeine).
My grades are starting to slip, but I can't afford to drop hours because I need the money for rent and instant ramen.
I see all these postings for "fun" student jobs on campus, but they pay like $17/hr, which just doesn't cut it out here. The off-campus stuff pays better but is way more demanding.I’m trying to figure out if there’s a middle ground. I’ve thought about trying to get a job at Stanford or one of the big tech companies as a part-time contractor, but the commutes are killer. I’m also looking into remote work, but that market is so saturated.
For my fellow California college students, especially in the Bay or LA, how do you balance it? How many hours are you working? Is there a secret industry I’m missing that pays well and understands you have midterms? Send help (and caffeine).