Students overworking to make ends meet

by Julie Kim
Staff Writer

For typical college students with jobs, life can be both the best of times and the worst of times. There are fraternity parties to attend, football championships to win and new friendships to create.

On the other hand, there are problems with fatigue, sleepiness, stress and piles of make-up homework.

Although America might be suffering from a job shortage, work for college students in 2004 is on the rise, said Paula Verdugo, assistant director of the University of La Verne’s Career Development and Placement Center.

A 2002 report by the Higher Education Project of the Washington-based State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) agreed: 74 percent of all full-time college students work at least one job.

Amy Fontenot, a junior psychology major, works about 30 hours per week for both her on-campus job at the Student Center and a second one at On the Border restaurant in Chino.

“I also take 15 units,” Fontenot said.

In addition, 84 percent of those employed students work to fund themselves through school, according to the same survey.

In fact, the average cost to attend the University for the 2003-2004 academic year was at least $20,500 for full-time, traditional undergraduates, said Leatha Webster, director of the financial aid department.

Claudia Bass, student accounts supervisor, added that part-timers paid $585 for each unit in the same year.

Freshman Connie Elejalde, undeclared, works nine hours a week shelving books at the Wilson Library for work-study, almost a must for most private school attendees.

Students, by nature, are stressed out from classes, said Kirstyn Chun, a counselor at the University Counseling Center. But they also have to deal with moving out, fitting in at a new school, paying off loans and working, she said.

According to Chun, prolonged or long-term stress can lead to several ailments: digestive and reproductive problems, failure to ovulate, asthma, adult diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and clinical depression.

“In an ideal world, students would set realistic goals,” Chun said.

Verdugo agreed, “If it’s possible, I would recommend students not to take in too many hours.”

In addition, many students – especially the ones who work hours like Fontenot – do not get enough sleep.

Still, “I like being busy,” Fontenot said. “My life isn’t overwhelming.”

Ultra-busy Josh Martin, a sophomore speech communications major who works two jobs, goes to school full time and plays several sports, echoed the same sentiment: “I like what I do. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

Many of ULV’s students also feel as though they can handle the workload.

According to Laura Kiralla, director of the Career Development and Placement Center, the center serves about 500 to 700 job-seeking students per month. The seemingly anxiety-free lives of the Leopards do not surprise Verdugo.

“I’ve been impressed at the level of their commitment,” she said. “It’s amazing seeing students doing a lot for their young age.”