Working students: Smart career move or academic risk?

The Hanoi Times — On a weekday afternoon, a young woman taps furiously on her laptop in the corner of a cafe near Hanoi's university district. A cold coffee sits untouched next to her. She occasionally glances at her phone, juggling between messages and a spreadsheet open on the screen. She is not a full-time employee. She is a student, working between classes, stretching herself thin to keep up with both worlds.

It is a familiar sight in Vietnam's student centers. More than ever, young people are choosing part-time jobs over the lecture hall, forging their own paths while still in school. What some refer to as ambition, others as survival. Either way, it raises the question of whether real-world experience is more valuable than a degree. A packed resume may open doors, but without balance, students risk academic decline, burnout, and even financial instability.

Ironically, this is exactly what they were trying to avoid. The reasons for taking a job while studying vary, but for many, money is at the top of mind. "I never thought I would need a job so soon," admitted Kim Nga, a first-year student who had just moved to Hanoi for university. "I thought I would focus on my studies and maybe work later. But after a month, I realized that my parents' support was not enough for rent, food, and all the little things that add up. So I got a part-time job."

For others, work is about more than income. Many students believe that a degree alone is not enough by the time they graduate."I live with my family, so I don't need to work for money," said Phuong Thao, a third-year English major. "But I know that in my field, experience is just as important as a degree. If I don't start now, I might have trouble finding a job later."

Even professors acknowledge this mindset. Dr. Luu Tran Toan, a university lecturer in Hanoi, sees both sides of the debate. "Work experience gives students confidence and exposure to the real world," he said. "But the structured knowledge from university is just as important. If students prioritize jobs over coursework, they may struggle in the long run."

In some fields, early work is an advantage. Professions such as marketing, design, and communications benefit from hands-on experience. A part-time job can make academic concepts clearer and reinforce classroom lessons with real-world applications. In some cases, working can even make studying easier. But not all industries offer this flexibility. In specialized fields such as medicine, security, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), academic knowledge is non-negotiable. No hospital wants a surgeon who learned by trial and error. No engineer should gamble on bridges based on hands-on experience alone. In these fields, foundational knowledge is irreplaceable.

The benefits of early work experience are undeniable. Students who start working at a young age develop independence, financial management skills, and industry connections. They also gain soft skills in communication, teamwork, and time management that are not always taught in the classroom. Overseas, part-time student jobs are the norm. "In the UK, almost everyone works while they study," said Huyen Ngoc, a Vietnamese student in London. "It's expected. Employers even value it when hiring new graduates."

However, balancing work and study is not easy. For many students, the line between independence and exhaustion quickly blurs."I overestimated myself," says Linh Dan, a second-year business student. "I thought I could do both, but I took on too many shifts. My grades dropped and I failed two subjects. In the end, everything I earned went into retaking those classes." Working too many hours leads to fatigue, which affects concentration.

A struggling student may have to extend his or her studies, ultimately spending more on tuition. Then there is the risk of falling into a cycle of working to afford school, but working so much that school suffers. Degrees still matter, especially in Vietnam and other Asian countries, where employers often use them as a basis for hiring. Even in practical industries such as marketing or design, most companies prefer candidates with formal education. In fields like law or medicine, skipping college is not even an option.

This reality makes balance critical. Some students find ways to integrate their work with their studies by completing internships in their field, freelancing, or taking on flexible roles. Others choose part-time jobs with limited hours, prioritizing their education while gaining work experience.

At the end of the day, whether studying or working, I believe we should find meaning and purpose in what we do. If we love what we are learning or feel passionate about the job we are doing, it will not feel like wasted time. Ideally, we align our studies and career choices with our strengths, making sure that whichever path we choose, we are setting ourselves up for success.

If you graduate with a solid academic background, you will be fine. If you enter the workforce with practical experience, you will be fine. The key is to find a way to balance the two so that life does not feel like a constant struggle.

I am not here to judge anyone's choices, but if a student is reading this, I hope you get something useful out of it. And if not, at least I tried.