Extracurricular activities are no stranger to college students.
Along with the usual shuffle of sports, Greek Life, socializing and classes, some students also have to add work into the mix.
For some San Diego State University students, working while in school is a necessity.
Danita Nagara, a junior at SDSU, says working during the semester is how she supports herself. “I’m financially independent so I use the money to pay for everything I need and want,” Nagara said. Nagara works as a salon consultant at a tanning salon.
Having a job can help students be a little more financially independent.
Amari Barradas who works as a warehouse employee for the UPS store on campus says working began as a way to earn some extra cash. “When I first started working in my sophomore year, it was just to have some spending money,” Barradas said.
In the early years of college, some students are less worried about financial burdens and work to have money for enjoyment.
“Now that I am living off campus, I use the majority of the money for bills and groceries,” Barradas continued. “The money I spend on leisure is almost nonexistent now.”
For others, taking on a job is worth it for the experience. Students work for a number of reasons, but some work to learn valuable life skills.
Josh Silla, a journalism major at SDSU, works as a host at the nearby restaurant Eureka!
“I always say that all my jobs inform my people-centered journalism,” Silla said. Although his job may not be directly linked to his major, Silla still gains field experience from it.
No matter the reason to work, balancing both coursework and a job can be a challenge.
Students have to find a way to manage all their obligations without feeling overwhelmed.
“I learned to balance my work and school life through time management and strategic planning,” Mellissa Magdowski said.
Magdowski works as an expo/host at Texas Roadhouse. “They are both skills I will need in the real world.”
Although some students struggle to find the balance between work life and school life, having a job is still a positive experience.
Meilani Menton Porter, who works at the SDSU Bookstore, says she likes to work for the social aspect.
“I have met some of my friends through work and we are pretty close now because of it,” Menton Porter said. “I get to interact with a lot of people my age.”
The hard work can feel rewarding and many students find work adds a sense of purpose to their days.
“It makes me happy to get up in the morning, wash my hair in the dark and take an hour-long bus to work,” Silla said.
Whether some SDSU students are working out of necessity, for the skills, or just for the experience, managing it all can be tricky.
Students make it work either way.
Photo credit: Dave Thomas