Whatever your course and whatever your financial situation, the opportunity of part-time employment throughout university can bring many benefits.

For those of us not fortunate enough to have generous parents available to bankroll us, a trust-fund which has been blooming since we were born, or not confident enough to rely solely on a loan, jobs can provide a welcome alternative and a reliable source of income.

A vast amount of both the undergraduate and postgraduate student body at Kingston University are already well aware of this and have at some point of another taken advantage of the wide range of part-time jobs available throughout the town. A very student-friendly atmosphere has been created across the pubs, bars, restaurants and shops of Kingston who are all aware of their dependence on young people.

With the festive period rapidly approaching, those still searching could be forgiven for fearing that all the jobs have been snapped up - which is where the Kingston University JobShop comes in.

The JobShop is a service provided by the Kingston University Careers Service, part of the Student Services. Sarah Wallace, Head of Careers and Employability, explains, "Students can search for part-time and graduate vacancies online, via StudentSpace, where vacancies are divided by various different job sectors.  Each online posting includes a job description, application details, salary information and key contacts.  This ensures that students are well prepared when applying for any position."

Ms Wallace points out the additional service JobShop provides to Kingston graduates, helping them into full-time employment upon completion of their studies: "Graduates are also able to access the graduate vacancies via the JobShop website. This service remains open to them for up to three years after they graduate."

The economic climate you graduate into will potentially make things harder, but JobShop continues providing a reliable service for students and graduates alike. In many cases it is just a matter of knowing where to go, which is exactly where the JobShop fits in. The aim of JobShop is to have at least 100 part-time and graduate vacancies at any one time for KU students to access, Ms. Wallace continues.

So while the depressing weather and an increasing university workload may make it feel like finding appropriate employment is an uphill struggle, it's good to know JobShop provides a realistic lifeline. With 26,000 hits on the website since it launched two years ago and more than 850 visitors to a recent Jobs Fair event maybe it's time you joined the increasing numbers making use of it.

Important points to consider when taking on a new job....

Advantages....

• The extra money allowing you to spend more freely on all those wonderful things you came to university for, such as supplementary textbooks and ink cartridges

• The opportunity to widen your social circle and make a whole new set of friends with your workmates. You can retell all your best jokes that your uni mates are now tired of and no one will be any the wiser!

• A change of scenery and supporting cast in your weekly routine can be very welcome if you feel like your life is becoming a repetitive cycle of: 'flat - classroom - library'. 

Drawbacks...

• The crucial thing to consider is how time-consuming any employment will be and if you will be left time for your studies. Do you trust yourself to use your spare time wisely if you cash in on your evenings and weekends?

• It can be intimidating and often exasperating to learn a new set of rules and regulations when starting any new job, whether in a bar, shop, cinema or other. Remember, the customer is always right, no matter how stupid!

• Whether you'll get on immediately with new workmates and management can often feel like a bit of a lottery, and a workplace which appreciates your academic studies as your priority is a necessity.