Austin/Houston/Dallas Student Jobs: Internship hunting vs. just making cash 💰🚀

[AnnaMarya]

I'm at UT Austin and facing that classic dilemma: do I take the boring, low-paying admin job that looks good on a resume, or do I serve tacos at a hip spot on South Congress for killer tips and free food? I need a student job that doesn't just cover rent but actually sets me up for post-grad life.

I’m majoring in Marketing, so I’m really gunning for an internship somewhere in the "Texas Triangle" (Dallas, Houston, Austin). But those are super competitive and often don't pay great (or at all ). Meanwhile, my buddy is making bank waiting tables near the Medical Center in Houston, but he comes home smelling like fajitas and has zero energy for class.

I’m thinking about trying to find a hybrid. Maybe something part-time at a co-working space where I can meet startups, or a social media manager gig for a small local boutique? The job market here is so big, it's actually overwhelming.

Has anyone here managed to land a student job that actually helped their career? Or should I just focus on the money now and worry about the career later? I need the inside scoop from y'all!

 

[LarryMertz]

I did the "boring admin job" route sophomore year and honestly?? It led to my current internship at an ad agency. The connections I made with the startups renting space in the building were GOLD. One of them needed social media help and now I have "Marketing Assistant" on my resume.

So I say boring job in a cool space > cool job in a boring space. The proximity to opportunity matters!!

Also, South Congress tacos would be fun but... the tourist crowd tips??