You Can Survive Both Academics and the Working World

By: Shannon McCormick
Posted In: News

The cost of higher education is rising, making it necessary for many college students to obtain employment.

According to the College Board, since 1981, the cost of a college education has gone up five times faster than family incomes. Figures from Sebago Associates say 57 percent of college students have jobs. So exactly how can students make the most out of their valuable time?

First, work only one job.

George Marley, a recent graduate of Johnson and Wales University, advises college students to avoid the urge to take on multiple jobs for more money. “Find a job that pays you a lot so you don t have to work as many hours,” he says.

Marley, at one point, was working at two different jobs as well as volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house. His work and volunteer hours ranged from 36 to 64 hours per week, while taking a trimester course load of 24 credits, which left little time for homework and a social life.

By trimming expenses students can cut down the hours they have to work.

A report from the Florida Public Interest Research Groups Higher Education Project states that students who work for more then 25 hours a week are likely to see a drop in their grades. In this case money management becomes important. Bankrate.com suggests doing simple things such as bringing a brown bag lunch to work or school in order to save some money.

Students should look for creative options for scheduling.

Stephen Mondaca, a student at Middlesex Community College in Connecticut, has found a way to work, study, train in the National Guard and still have time for a social life.

Mondaca recommends students either take their classes or work in the morning and do the other at night or schedule all their classes on two or three days and make use of once a week night-time courses to keep days free for socializing. “Get into a routine and try not to deviate from it too radically,” Mondaca says. “Otherwise you’ll break the cycle, make bad habits.”

Study whenever it is possible and complete assignments promptly.

Melanie Carrazzo, a shift supervisor at CVS in Warwick, RI, and student at the Community College of Rhode Island shares her secrets to success. “Sometimes (I) study on my breaks,” Carrazzo says. “And I get things done as soon as they are assigned.”

Richard Lavender, also a student at CCRI, and an employee of Feet First in East Greenwich, RI, voices the benefits of working at a small business. “My manager lets me study at work,” he says. “As long as the store is not crowded with customers, not just during specific break times.”

Keep managers and supervisors aware of scheduling conflicts and work as much as possible during school vacations. Managers who hire college students are well aware of their employees need for work and the importance of getting an education.

Evamarie Butterworth, the manager of the admissions department at Roger Williams’ Park Zoo in Providence, RI, has about 18 college students working for her during the summer. “We realize that college students need to save up money over the summer,” Butterworth says. “And we try to give them the most hours.”

When the weather gets colder the number of employees in the admissions department drops, but Butterworth still does her best to work around student schedules.

She reminds her employees about the importance of a good education and often jokes with them that if their grades at school suffer they might not be allowed back on her staff for the following summer.

Above all else students are advised to stay focused and goal oriented.

Virtually all sources voice the importance of keeping goals in sight. “Stay focused,” Butterworth says, “anything worth having is worth fighting for.”