Ah, the life of a student in the Netherlands – filled with bikes, budgets, and the perpetual quest for affordable housing. But fear not, fellow students, for the land of windmills and cheese, also offers a selection of student job opportunities to fund your adventures and cheese cravings. So sit back and let me tell you about all the jobs you should consider and why.
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Toggle1. Latte Art and Bitterballen
Ever dreamed of perfecting your latte art skills? (Me neither but hey it pays). Well, look no further than the bustling cafes and bars of the Netherlands. From serving bitterballen to mastering the art of Dutch directness (“Would you like fries with that?”), the hospitality sector offers a delightful blend of chaos and camaraderie.
The benefit of this type of job is the abundance of it, the number of restaurants, cafes, and bars in one city is usually numerous meaning you have plenty of opportunities to get a job.
2. Retail Realness
Brace yourselves for the adrenaline rush of scanning groceries at warp speed or folding clothes with the precision of a Dutch windmill blade. Whether you’re dodging runaway shopping carts or engaging in a spirited debate over the merits of Gouda vs. Edam, retail positions promise endless opportunities for amusement and mild existential crises in the snack aisle.
A huge benefit of this job is the hours, say goodbye to working into the long hours of the night, however with this comes a lack of flexibility, so you might not be able to work a lot due to your school schedule.
3. Warehouse Wonders
Picture this: you, decked out in fluorescent safety gear, navigating the labyrinthine aisles of a Dutch warehouse like a fearless explorer in search of treasure (or at least, the elusive extra-large stroopwafel stash). Warehouse jobs offer a unique blend of physical activity and existential contemplation as you ponder the mysteries of life amidst towering stacks of Dutch delicacies.
Warehouse jobs (Logistics) are one 9f the most popular jobs for international students, the lack of customers eliminates any language barriers, and these warehouses typically have long working hours, which means you can usually perfectly tailor your job to your study schedule.
4. Food + Bikes = Job
With the increasing demand for online shopping and food delivery, there’s a growing need for delivery drivers and couriers. Students with a bicycle or scooter can work for delivery companies, transporting goods or meals to customers’ doorsteps.
With these types of jobs the level of flexibility can vary from company to company however as a general rule of thumb, they are usually more flexible and pay better than some other student jobs. (Interested? Check out this vacancy: Weekend Pizza Courier)
5. Events Staffing
The Netherlands hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from music festivals to conferences and exhibitions. Students can find temporary employment as event staff, assisting with tasks such as ticketing, crowd control, setup, and cleanup.
Whilst you’ll get to see some fun events whilst you’re working, these jobs are more of a gig rather than actual long-term employment.
Why you really need a job
Now, you may be wondering: why subject yourself to manual labor while juggling textbooks and existential crises? Well, fear not, for the benefits of student employment are as abundant as a field of tulips in spring:
Financial Freedom: Bid farewell to the days of subsisting on a diet of instant noodles and dreams. With a student job, you can finally afford more or even start saving up.
Professional Development: Whether you’re perfecting your latte art skills or honing your negotiation tactics in the snack aisle, student jobs offer invaluable opportunities for skill development and personal growth. Plus, you’ll emerge from the trenches of retail warfare with tales of triumph and a newfound appreciation for patience. These are all things you can add on your CV.
Social Connections: From bonding over bitterballen in the break room to commiserating over existential crises in the warehouse, student jobs provide ample opportunities for forging meaningful connections and expanding your social circle. International Students Work provides community events for all its students.
So there you have it, it’s never to early to start planning for your future (or living your best life). Whilst having a job alongside your studies might be hard, the benefits are substantial. If you want a job but don’t know where to start looking check out our vacancies page: Vacancies – International Students Work