J1 or P45? The student summer dilemma

Three third-level students tell ROSALIND COMYNabout staying at home to keep part-time jobs

‘Going away would mean losing my part-time job’

SHAUNA MASON is from Co Wicklow and is studying radiography at UCD

“The decision to stay at home this summer wasn’t entirely up to me. I study radiography and have compulsory clinical placement. So paying to go on a J1 for less than two months really wasn’t worth the money. We also do practical exams throughout our placement and if we fail any of them, it means another two weeks of placement, so I know many of us didn’t want to risk booking flights and then have to stay.

“Another factor was that I have quite a handy part-time job. Going away for the entire summer would mean losing it, and student friendly jobs are hard to come by.

“I plan to go away for at least two weeks in August. Donegal holidays are definitely underrated. I also want to save money to be able to go on college trips during the year. Lots of little trips to different places throughout the year appeal to me more than three months in the same place.”

‘I’m lucky to have a job. They’re not easy to come by’

SADIE LOWE is from Co Dublin, and is studying commerce and Spanish at UCD

“I wanted to go abroad on a J1 this summer, but getting the money together proved difficult; a lot of my friends were in a similar position. Our lack of funds coupled with a lot of the gang doing internships this year meant that travelling wasn’t really feasible.

“I was lucky enough to regain a summer office job I had last year, and given that I’m going to Salamanca in Spain on Erasmus in September, it will be great to have some money saved up.

“I’m lucky to have a job. Although most of my friends have managed to find summer work, they’re certainly not easy to come by. A lot of people have been putting out 30 CVs to barely any responses, which can be pretty disheartening.

“I really enjoy working in the office anyway – it’s a good way of keeping a good summer routine, otherwise I would probably end up sleeping all day.”

‘My part-time job will give me a bit of structure’

LILY Ní DHOMHNAILL is fom Co Kerry and is studying English and Spanish at Trinity College Dublin

“It’s hard not to envy those disappearing to exotic places (especially when the rain starts) but it’s just not feasible for me at the moment.

“I’m hoping to travel a lot next year so I need to stay at home to save money. A lot of my friends have decided to stay around, so it’ll be great to catch up with everyone I don’t see during the year.

“Four months is a long time though, and I’ll have to make sure I don’t come out of it feeling like I’ve done nothing with my summer. I have a part-time job in a restaurant that will give me a bit of structure, as well as an income.

“I’m crossing my fingers for half-decent weather so I can get back into sailing and maybe learn to windsurf. And of course I have all sorts of good intentions about being super productive over the next few months (driving licence, reading lists, etc) but we’ll see how it goes.”