PR by day.... busing tables by night? Making Ends Meet / Part Time Employment

[evelyn]

Hi everyone! I've been reading the forums for awhile now so I'm excited to be writing my first post.

Anyway, as some background: I'm currently an intern at a PR agency in LA, and I've been informally offered a job there starting in June. I love the company and honestly think it's the best (possibly only) job I'm going to get in this economy, so I'm ready to take it. We haven't talked $ yet, but I am assuming that it's going to be on the low end...

I am totally trust fund-less and have virtually no savings (at least I have a car!), so I am trying to figure out how I can possibly make ends meet living in a decent part of LA. Figures I'll also be constantly bombarded with stuff I want to buy, too. Should I expect to have another job on the side? Is that even possible in a job like PR that involves night/weekend events?

Thoughts?

 

[Meg]

I don't know about the industry that much, but depending on the hours they ask, I think you're likely to quickly burn yourself out if you work two jobs. I think it's important when you sit down to discuss wage with them, that you make sure you are given a wage you can feasibly live on, or else, hours with strict limits where by you can work another job. The problem with working less hours is that it is easy to get sucked into working extra hours for free (ie if you work from 9 AM - 12 PM, it's easy to go over into the afternoon, essentially working for free). But likewise, do up a budget of how much you would realistically need to live on for a month. As long as you live in a reasonably commutable distance (and a safe area) I think that should be your focus above living in a 'name brand' area. Don't be afraid of living with roomates, etc.

 

[sd31392]

i say go w/living w/a roomate or 2!!
that's just squash rent in half or more
and i'm sure there are a lot of ppl in LA that need a place to live
I agree w/Meg, you should have a relative idea how much you'll need to get by every month, +/- a few hundred dollars(to allow for some fluctuation[ie those cute pair of shoes you saw in the window a week ago]), and also find a way to SAVE!!! (b/c who knows when your gonna have an emergency, and need some fast cash)
i don't really know much about the PR business either, but i'm sure that if you let your employer know your situation, they'll be much more lenient in discussion w/pay, and/or if you have to ask for very strict hours to allow for another 'cash job'

 

[evelyn]

Thanks! Yeah a roommate is going to be a must, unfortunately...

 

[BetteT]

Consider working for a temp agency ... it's what a lot of freelancers do. You pick your own hours and can turn down jobs if you have something else scheduled. But you must have some time available to them to actually send you on gigs ... or that won't work either. So a discussion with your boss at the PR firm needs to include how much time you would have available, how much in advance would you know your schedule, etc. That way, you can give the agency your open hours and they could schedule you accordingly.

Freelancers also often work in restaruants and bars because the scheduling there is very flexible too and you can work short shifts ... lunch or dinner only ... and you can usualy get someone to cover for you when something comes up. Might not work as well if all your weekend nights are going to be busy at PR ... but it could allow you some time off, as needed from time to time.

 

[gius]

Very useful thread Actually I go through the same situation, only that I have some funding and I'm not in PR..

I used to work full-time and balance my fashion job at the same time, and I ended up getting burnt out
I even worked down to 6 hours a day with Wednesday off, and I still felt burnt out...
so now I work Mondays, Tuesdays and more of my time is in fashion (no pay though).. Working Mondays and Tuesdays only pays for maybe food or rent, so that's what the extra funds are for.
I can stay like this for several months but I'd rather keep the funds for a real emergency, so I'm gonna see about going through a temp agency..

So the only advice I have is that pay attention to how you feel after each job.. like my paying job was quite easy and at the end of the day you are not tired, but after being there for a long time it was more soul-sucking than anything and I really couldn't handle it anymore.. and even though I work Mondays and Tuesdays now, it might be likely I will quit very soon
Maybe the nice thing about temp agencies is your job is new each time. If you have other skills, you can totally make more money on the side. I notice also commute can be a factor in making you tired even if you are not walking much..

 

[Bespoke Style]

I would just say join a few temp agencies too

I do it in London and its perfect for my life here, more flexible etc.

although it is kinda depressing at times but you do what you gotta do

on craigslist there are always people looking for room mates

 

[Cicciolina]

I think if you really need to do it you can. You just need to be incredibly organised and utilise your time properly, though that goes without saying.

And whichever second job you pick up, hope that you have a flexible employer! Good luck

 

[educo]

There was a time where i was doing a full time apaid internship and a full time regular job 5 days a wee. My days were from 10am-12am and I was burnt out in 3 months. I still do a couple internships here and there to meet with contacts and keep my ear on the ground but I do no more than 2-3 days TOPS in addition to my job.