The San Diego Mesa College Research Office reports that 67 percent of its students were employed during the previous school year. This figure proves comparable to data gathered on a national scale: the Current Population Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau states that approximately 72 percent of part-time college students and 41 percent of full-time college students were employed in October 2012. In order to better understand this reality, an effort has been made to research why college students are working while pursuing postsecondary education, and to determine what impact this has on their educational performance and future employment.
Micaela Rojas, a 19-year-old first-semester Mesa College student, is working to support herself and her two sisters who are also receiving financial aid. She manages her money by setting aside a portion of her income for her sisters’ education each month. Rojas expressed the challenges of balancing a 10- to 20-hour workweek with school.
“I had two tests today. During my break, I was reading my book. It’s difficult. I’m losing a lot of sleep I guess you could say… I’m trying to find a way to prioritize my time and still get good grades.”
Similarly, Alexandria Goldspring, a 19-year-old Mesa student majoring in communications, expressed the hurdles of attending school and being employed. “Probably managing homework and tests for sure, trying to study and fit all that in. When I’m at work sometimes I think about my homework that I have to do and I get sidetracked.”
Although working while attending school may be taxing, some students also see the benefits that it may yield. Goldspring stated that her work as a hostess helps develop the degree of professionalism she uses when speaking with others.
Jose Robles, a 42-year-old Radiologic Technology student, similarly conveyed that his job as a barber improves his communication skills with others. The Mesa College Career Center also provides options for students who want to embed work experience into their curriculum; they provide internships for college credit and are sponsoring a Fall Job Fair for students, in addition to their online job board, Job Connect. There are also tools available to students in order to gain assistance and support as they attend school, including stress management workshops and courses regarding personal and academic management.
Though students are supported by various campus resources, some can conceptualize of additional ways to be assisted during their time in school. Robles contributed his opinion by touching upon the rising cost of units over the years, and his financial aid eligibility: “Some of us unfortunately are right at the border of not qualifying for financial aid, but then at the same time, I got bigger bills than a lot of other students that still live at home.” Goldspring touched upon another challenge of her reality as a working student, stating that working while going to school affects the amount of courses she has time to take, and thus the pace at which she completes her coursework.
“If I was getting paid to be a teacher’s aid it would make things a lot easier I think… I worked in high school also and I had a class that paid basically. You’d go to schools to watch teachers and everything and help them out. And it was a way for me to get money but also help with my future career plans,” Rojas stated.
