Now more than ever, undergraduate students are becoming student employees to help defray college costs, according to a study released by the American Council on Education, and the trend is being followed here at Boston College.
"I would definitely say there have been more student [employees] in the last couple of years," said Leslie Marini, administrative coordinator at O'Neill Library, one of BC campus' largest student employers. "We get many more applications now." Marini said she received more than 250 applications this year for 160 open positions.
According to the American Council on Education as reported recently in USA Today, 77 percent of undergraduates hold jobs. In 2000, BC gave 3,145 work study awards, totaling $1,664,000. This is a jump from the 1,136 awards given out in 1995. The students offered work study packages in 2000 represented more than a third of all undergraduates. This figure does not take into account students without work study who work on or off campus to help defer the cost of tuition and other college expenses.
It appears that while many BC students do work, most do not use the money directly for tuition, but rather for the other costs incurred while attending college.
"If I didn't get financial aid I wouldn't be able to go to school here," said Thamarah Crevecoeur, A&S '06. Crevecoeur, the daughter of a Haitian immigrant, works eight hours a week at the Eagle's Nest Deli to earn money for things like laundry, food, and clothing.
Pia Layon, CSOM '06, a work study employee at O'Neill Library, said she uses the money she earns to pay for whatever she needs on campus, including textbooks and food. She said the $1,600 she expects to earn by the end of the year isn't enough to even help with tuition, but it does help with other expenses, and lessens the financial strain college has placed on her parents.
"I don't feel like I need to work," said Chris Pavlow, A&S '06. He said he earned enough money last summer that he did not need to work during the academic year. Pavlow said he tried to fit working into his schedule but it was impossible. "I like to dedicate myself to schoolwork and relaxing in between. I spend money cautiously." Pavlow said that financial aid from BC and other sources makes it possible for his family to afford tuition.
Research indicates that grades fall and dropouts rise when students work more than 15 hours a week, according to the American Council on Education's Jacqueline King, as reported in USA Today. The Department of Education reports that the average student works more than twice that amount.
Layon said that working has actually helped her focus her academic work. "Not only do I appreciate my education more, I work harder." She said she worked eight to 10 hours a week first semester, but has cut back her hours to six, a length she feels she can handle better. "You have to choose - $7 or a good grade on a test."
Marini said students are allowed to work 20 hours a week, but that most average 10 or less. She also said she sees many advantages to students working.
"I think working is good for a student," said Marini, noting that students who work in the library get the chance to become very familiar with it, hence strengthening their academic experience.
"I think working has helped me with my academics," said Crevecoeur. "I know I can't mess around." She added that she enjoys the feeling of being productive at work, as well as the chance to interact with customers. She added that she would work even if she did not have to.
Crevecoeur and Layon agreed that finding on-campus employment is not always easy, and that students need to look hard and at the right times. Marini said there are fewer positions at the library than there were when she started 12 years ago, and that there are more students seeking employment.
She said the University relies on its student staff. "I don't think some of the departments could function without the students. We really need their help."
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