 "Photo:")
 "Photo:")
The news that more and more college students are relying on loans, work-study employment, and borrowing money from home is probably not a shock for many students on campus. This is the reality for many Boston College students, and it will continue to be something that every class has to deal with.
One of the most common forms of financial aid is work-study. Frequently, those students who take on an additional job in college don't need to lessen their involvement in other activities. In fact, quite the opposite has proven to be true; working students take on extra-curricular activities, volunteer positions, and maintain their GPA's with a full load of courses.
Chris Cahill, Heights board member and A&S '06, works an average of nine hours a week for the Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC).
"My financial aid for BC stipulated a work-study job," says Cahill. "Also, I wanted the money. I have always had a job since my freshman year of high school and I like the financial independence and structure that working brings. I also find that it's a good use of my time: I usually do school work while at work, yet I still socialize and make money."
Students generally agree that adding a work-study job to their list of activities has enhanced their college experiences.
"It has certainly made my time at BC better," says Cahill. "I've met plenty of great people through the CFLC. Also, I am aware of the services that it offers, and have met with tutors on several occasions, something that I might not have done if I didn't work there. And it isn't cheap to be a student at BC and my income has paid for many things, be it books or going out."
"Working has enriched my experience at BC," says Katy Meagher, A&S '06, who works for the BC Alumni Association on Newton Campus. "It's office experience. If I never work in an office again, at least I'll have this," says Meagher. The Alumni Association is responsible for planning BC functions like reunions and has also been an active partner with charity organizations like Second Helping with the Greater Boston Foodbank. Meagher, a community service officer for the Ignation Society, also has an off-campus job at Children's Hospital in Boston, where she is an administrative assistant in the Pain Treatment Service. "This semester I work eight hours a week at the Alumni Association and five hours at Children's. Last semester I worked four hours at Alumni and nine hours at Children's."
In addition to providing a source of income during the school year, a part-time job builds students' resumes, enables them to make contacts with bosses or advisors who can recommend them to future employers based on their work habits, and usually gives students skills to use when they enter the job market in the future. Because work-study is based on on-campus jobs, most students work in offices or libraries where they pick up administrative skills and basic computer skills.
Students with work-study find themselves enjoying the heavy workload because it lends structure to their days and is a source of motivation to stay on top of coursework.
Meagher is her busiest on her work days, and she says she generally doesn't have time to do homework while on the job.
"I get more work done when I'm busy. If I didn't work I'd be so unproductive," says Meagher.
Some students are lucky to find job placements that are flexible in letting them finish their schoolwork while working. Cahill says this fact helps him keep on top of his coursework.
"If anything, it is a time that I set aside to get school work done. Plus, since there are tutors around, I can ask them if I'm having trouble with my homework."
Although students enjoy the benefits of working, there are some drawbacks as
well. For one, some jobs are hard to come by. A freshman coming to campus for the first time may feel rushed during the first few weeks of school trying to find the job that his or her financial aid package requires. Those weeks are overwhelming in themselves, and it doesn't help that the good jobs go fast.
"I think that the work-study for financial aid is a great motivation for students to get jobs while filling many positions at BC," said Cahill, but he goes on to add, "There are always jobs available, but I have heard of many people who are dissatisfied with their positions. So, it's open, but the good jobs are hard to come by."
Work-study employees have to deal with the added stresses of a job and the strain placed on their schedule because of the large chunks of time required.
"I don't feel like working [at Alumni] stresses me out, but it does take a lot time. I have to plan my days, and when I make my class schedule I have to go through and set aside large chunks of time to make sure I can go work," says Meagher.
Meagher does note that the additional workload from her jobs puts a strain on her day.
"I feel like everyday I wake up and think about exactly what I'm going to do for every hour of the day. It isn't like its ever going to go that way, but I try to think of everything I need to do. And some days it does get hard," says Meagher.
"Freshman year I used to hate working when no one else was, and I was so jealous. But now it isn't that bad because I feel like more people are working and doing extra-curriculars." says Meagher.
Students who have jobs don't deny themselves the everyday events that other BC students concern themselves with. Like so many students, they have lunch with their friends, hang out after classes, and go to the Plex.
"I go to the Plex everyday. Usually I go in the morning because I don't have time to go later and it gets so crowded. That's the one thing I need to get done in the day, and it's the one thing that isn't for anyone else," says Meagher.
Also, the weekends tend to be the main way to release stress.
"I think weekends for me are a complete break from everything. My weeks are so stressful that I just hang out and party on the weekends," says Meagher. "My weeks are stressful and very busy, but I like it this way. I don't imagine it any way else. I feel like if I didn't work I'd just sit around a lot and not get anything done."
"Working has enriched my experience at BC," says Katy Meagher, A&S '06, who works for the BC Alumni Association on Newton Campus.
"It's office experience. If I never work in an office again, at least I'll have this," says Meagher.
The Alumni Association is responsible for planning BC functions like reunions and has also been an active partner with charity organizations like Second Helping with the Greater Boston Foodbank.
Meagher, a community service officer for the Ignation Society, also has an off-campus job at Children's Hospital in Boston, where she is an administrative assistant in the Pain Treatment Service.
"This semester I work eight hours a week at the Alumni Association and five hours at Children's. Last semester I worked four hours at Alumni and nine hours at Children's."
In addition to providing a source of income during the school year, a part-time job builds students' resumes, enables them to make contacts with bosses or advisors, and usually gives students skills to use when they enter the job market in the future.
Students with work-study find themselves enjoying the heavy workload because it lends structure to their days and is a source of motivation to stay on top of coursework.
Meagher is busiest on her work days, and she says she generally doesn't have time to do homework while on the job. "I get more work done when I'm busy. If I didn't work I'd be so unproductive," she says.
Some students are lucky to find job placements that are flexible in letting them finish their schoolwork while working. Cahill says this fact helps him keep on top of his coursework.
"If anything, it is a time that I set aside to get school work done. Plus, since there are tutors around, I can ask them if I'm having trouble with my homework," he says.
Although students enjoy the benefits of working, there are some drawbacks as well. For one, some jobs are hard to come by.
A freshman coming to campus for the first time may feel overwhelmed during the first few weeks of school trying to find the job that his or her financial aid package requires.
"I think that the work-study for financial aid is a great motivation for students to get jobs while filling many positions at BC," says Cahill.
He goes on to add, "There are always jobs available, but I have heard of many people who are dissatisfied with their positions. So, it's open, but the good jobs are hard to come by."
Work-study employees have to deal with the added stresses of a job and the strain placed on their schedule because of the large chunks of time required.
"I don't feel like working stresses me out, but it does take a lot time. I have to plan my days, and when I make my class schedule I have to go through and set aside large chunks of time to make sure I can go work," says Meagher.
"I feel like everyday I wake up and think about exactly what I'm going to do for every hour of the day. It isn't like its ever going to go that way, but I try to think of everything I need to do. And some days it does get hard. Freshman year I used to hate working when no one else was, and I was so jealous. But now it isn't that bad because I feel like more people are working and doing extra-curriculars," says Meagher.
Students who have jobs don't deny themselves the everyday events that other BC students concern themselves with.
Like so many students, they have lunch with their friends, hang out after classes, and go to the Plex.
"I go to the Plex everyday. Usually I go in the morning because I don't have time to go later and it gets so crowded. That's the one thing I need to get done in the day, and it's the one thing that isn't for anyone else," says Meagher.
Also, the weekends tend to be the main way to release stress.
"I think weekends for me are a complete break from everything. My weeks are so stressful that I just hang out and party on the weekends. My weeks are stressful and very busy, but I like it this way. I don't imagine it any way else. I feel like if I didn't work I'd just sit around a lot and not get anything done," says Meagher.
Be the first to comment on this article!