The Effects of Employment on Working Students
Foreign studies:
In America, part-time or even full-time employment is now considered a norm for undergraduate students. According to available data and study, the average students should spend a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 hours on a job per week (Perna 2010). One of the concerns of the educators is the amount of time a students spends working rather than focusing on their studies, but due to poverty, most undergraduate students have to support themselves if they really want to finish college. This concern has posed an interest on a research on the effects of employment on college students ( Moore and Rago, 2009).
A survey originated by the NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) consisting of 98 questions assessing the students’ educational experiences was given to more than 230,000 students from all over the United States. Results showed that almost two-thirds (62.1 percent) worked either on or off campus. 19.4 percent worked exclusively on campus, while 34.5 percent worked exclusively outside of campus. However, studies showed that even though students worked more hours does not mean they have significantly lower GPAs.
In the off-campus employment, students who work 10 to fewer hours per week reported higher grades compared to students who worked 16 to 20 hours per week, who reported lower grades. The results also showed that off-campus employed students were less involved in campus learning activities. On the other hand, students who were working on the campus were more involved in the different learning activities. However, students who worked one to five hours per week perceived the campus environment as significantly more supportive than those who worked on campus 16 to 20 hours per week.
In America, part-time or even full-time employment is now considered a norm for undergraduate students. According to available data and study, the average students should spend a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 hours on a job per week (Perna 2010). One of the concerns of the educators is the amount of time a students spends working rather than focusing on their studies, but due to poverty, most undergraduate students have to support themselves if they really want to finish college. This concern has posed an interest on a research on the effects of employment on college students ( Moore and Rago, 2009).
A survey originated by the NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) consisting of 98 questions assessing the students’ educational experiences was given to more than 230,000 students from all over the United States. Results showed that almost two-thirds (62.1 percent) worked either on or off campus. 19.4 percent worked exclusively on campus, while 34.5 percent worked exclusively outside of campus. However, studies showed that even though students worked more hours does not mean they have significantly lower GPAs.
In the off-campus employment, students who work 10 to fewer hours per week reported higher grades compared to students who worked 16 to 20 hours per week, who reported lower grades. The results also showed that off-campus employed students were less involved in campus learning activities. On the other hand, students who were working on the campus were more involved in the different learning activities. However, students who worked one to five hours per week perceived the campus environment as significantly more supportive than those who worked on campus 16 to 20 hours per week.