On October 1, more than 1.2 million students will begin the new academic year in Poland. Along with this comes a surge of job applications from students, especially in university cities. According to an expert from employment agency Trenkwalder, this presents an opportunity for employers not only to hire additional staff but also to recruit young workers who already possess certain skills that typically take time to develop.
Work as an integral part of student life
A decade ago, working during studies was mostly optional. Today, it has become a necessity for many young people. Across Europe, students increasingly combine study with work, viewing employment not just as an income source but also as a step toward independence and adulthood.
According to the EUROSTUDENT VIII survey, the highest proportion of working students is in the Netherlands (77%) and Iceland (76%), with the lowest in Portugal (32%). Poland is close to the European average, with 59.9% of students employed – nearly half working regularly during the semester, and about 11% occasionally. Rising living costs and soaring rental prices mean many students will seek either permanent or part-time jobs as early as October.
“Although some students work throughout the year or start during the summer, October is when we typically see a spike in CVs – once they return to their university cities and know their class schedules,” said Katarzyna Bartnicka, recruitment specialist at Trenkwalder. She noted that this is a chance for employers to hire both temporary workers in industry, logistics, and services, as well as young talents for junior roles and internships.
The size of the student workforce
According to Statistics Poland (GUS), as of December 31, 2024, nearly 1.28 million students were enrolled in around 350 universities across 90+ cities. The largest academic centers are Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław, Łódź, and Gdańsk, where employers will have the best opportunities for successful recruitment.
Cost of living as the main driver
Student living costs in Poland have risen rapidly in recent years. EUROSTUDENT VIII shows that students cover 60% of their expenses themselves, while parents or partners cover about 30.6%. Tuition accounts for about 9.5% of the budget, with students paying 6.3% and families the rest. The biggest burden remains housing, food, and transport.
Eurostat data shows that between 2015 and 2023, rental prices in Europe rose on average 58.4%. In Poland, 74% of students say they work to cover day-to-day living costs. For 56%, employment is essential to continue studying, and 32% also provide financial support to their families.
“Beyond financial reasons, students also want to gain experience, get to know the labor market, and prepare for their future careers. Clearly, working while studying is also an investment in themselves,” Bartnicka explained.
From cashiers to engineers – where the jobs are
Poland’s 2025 job market is not overly optimistic. In August, employers posted 247,000 new job offers across the 50 largest recruitment platforms – down 13% year-on-year, returning to 2020 (pandemic-era) levels. Still, experts believe students will find employment relatively easily.
“There is still strong demand for both unskilled workers and young people with specialized university knowledge,” Bartnicka said.
Student jobs fall into two categories:
- Immediate roles requiring no qualifications or experience – warehouse work, physical labor, production, customer service, retail, e-commerce, and hospitality. These require quick training and flexible scheduling, appealing to students who need fast income.
- Specialist roles for advanced students, mainly in shortage fields such as engineering (automation, mechanics, machine design), as well as finance and accounting. For employers, hiring students in these areas is an investment: they can train future professionals, tap into high potential, and reduce future recruitment costs.
Between independence dreams and financial reality
For students, salary remains the top priority. Many prefer civil law contracts (“umowa zlecenia”), where gross pay equals net pay.
Market data shows expectations can be high: some students dream of PLN 10,000 gross per month. In reality, wages usually start from the minimum wage, which in 2025 is PLN 4,666 gross. For simple physical jobs, students can expect PLN 5,000–6,000 gross monthly. The average salary for graduates in their first year after studies is just over PLN 5,300 gross, with IT specialists and nurses earning over PLN 7,000 gross, while pedagogy graduates earn close to the minimum wage.
Besides pay, students value flexibility, allowing them to balance work with classes. Where possible, they also seek remote or hybrid jobs. For others, gaining professional experience is the main goal. Company reputation matters most for those seeking work in fields related to their studies, though this group is a minority.
Work as investment in the future
More and more students see working during studies as an investment in their future careers. By starting employment before graduation, they increase their chances of a stable career afterwards. For employers, this is equally beneficial: they gain motivated, flexible workers who can be trained to fit company needs.
In effect, student employment is not only a way to cope with rising living costs, but also the first step toward building professional careers.
Source: CEO.com.pl
