Working during the school year can have its share of benefits and drawbacks. Here are some major pros and cons:

Pros

1. Money + benefits - The main reason most students work is to make some money, whether to help pay for college or for personal spending. Some jobs also come with extra benefits - for instance, most schools give special meal plan discounts for students working in the dining halls.
2. Gaining experience - Depending on the type of work, some student jobs can be valuable work experience for the future.
3. Networking - Working diligently can earn you quality future references from your boss. If you work in an environment with other students, work can become a good place to meet and get to know people.

Cons

1. Time - Working 10 hours a week is around average for college students. Those 10 hours may not seem like much on a week with nothing going on, but around exams or project deadlines, it can cause stress. Finding a job with flexible hours is key, and most campus employers will help you with time crunches.
2. Energy - College can be tiring, not just from classes, but from other activities, social events, sports, etc. Working a job can be an added burden of stress, both physically and mentally.
3. Some jobs are just plain bad - make sure to talk to other students before applying for a job. Some campus jobs are extremely tedious while others are great.

If you do decide to work, there are many types of campus jobs. If you have Federal Work Study, finding a job should be easier for you. In my opinion, the best jobs are ones that don’t necessarily pay the most, but where you’re allowed to study and do homework on the job. This includes sitting at an information desk, or monitoring a computer lab. Other great jobs include ones involving research or something that will help you advance in your field of interest. Your college should have its own online system for campus job postings, which is probably your best bet in job searching. You may also want to use Monster and Yahoo’s HotJobs to look for jobs in your area. It’s free to sign up for an account and post your resume on both.