Working Students

CEBU, Philippines -  It is with no question that a student’s life is harder than it looks. We are bombarded with so many discussions, exams, short quizzes, reports, requirements, thesis and all the other things we have to do to get to that diploma. We give so many years of our lives in school, which is a privilege nonetheless.

But not all of us are as fortunate. Some students have to work just so they can pay the tuition. With no one to support them monetarily, they are forced to go out into the real world a little early than most of us. Money, as they say, is a crucial thing in life. And as vital things go, it’s not easy to earn them.

Take a look at Theresian college student Charity. She was orphaned at 18 and her brothers and her sister have their own families to take care of, and she is left with no choice but to work to survive.

Currently working at the St. Theresa’s College (STC) Human Resource Department as a student assistant, Charity is contented despite the harsh realities that she has been accustomed to. However, she said that there are times when things just seem to be out of hand. “Usahay madala na nako sa balay ang mga trabaho-un diri sa office kay di na gyud makaya kung dinhi ra nako buhaton. Naa gyu’y ingon ana nga times nga di ka makatuon kay naa kay himuon.  Naa ra gyud na nimo unsaon pag-handle.” (Sometimes, I bring my workload home because I can’t do everything at the office. There are times when you can’t study anymore because you have so much to do. It’s up to you how you handle everything.)

And Charity handles everything superbly. Being the hard worker that she is, she still has another job tutoring kids just near STC, to earn money for her daily expenses.

Sadly, not all working students are as lucky as Charity. Some of them are so close to finishing the race, but have to end abruptly. Lani, who is already in fourth year college at STC, stopped school in the second semester, just months before her graduation. 

Lani saw an opportunity to earn more financially, while applying the skills she has learned as a Mass Communications student. She now works as a production assistant at Sky Cable, which is a very demanding job. She hopes to get her diploma this coming May 2011. “Naa pa man ko’y tulo ka subjects, so I’ll take them this summer na lang. I am hopeful that by then, maka-graduate na jud ko.” (I still have three subjects to take this summer. I am hopeful that by then, I’ll be able to graduate.)

Lani has been a working student since her second year in college because of financial problems. Her constant income helped her save for her studies, as well as helped her family financially.

Ironically, Lani worked so she could study. She has to save up so she can pay her tuition, but in the long run, she was forced to stop school for a more challenging job with a higher pay. It’s a sad truth among working students that the demand for monetary needs is too powerful.

As hard as it is to admit, college dropouts are also evident in STC’s Working Students Program. Elizabeth Duma, the College Guidance Counselor, shared that in the first semester of this school year, she dropped three students from the program for various reasons – from pregnancy to tardiness.

Duma pointed out that they don’t cut students out of the program in haste. “First, we look into the reasons why they are not able to perform well, because working students usually have double roles to play, which is not an easy task. So in the event that they fail to perform the tasks or responsibilities assigned to them, we give them a stiff warning. We inform them of the complaints of the bosses or the department heads and we give them a chance. If still they cannot perform well, then we are forced not to renew their contract.”

A working student’s contract is renewable every semester, depending on her performance in the workplace and in school. According to Duma, the different department heads evaluate their performance at the end of every semester.

Of course, there are others who have succeeded as a working student. Sheila, who graduated from STC just last semester, was a working student for the whole of her college life.

Currently working as an Accounting Staff, assigned in Budgeting, in St. Theresa’s College, Sheila is elated. Even through her shy and demure exterior, you can see the happiness in her eyes given that she has finally achieved her dream of being a college graduate.

In her college days, Sheila was a student assistant at STC. Like Charity, she had jobs tutoring kids to earn extra money for her allowance. She balanced all these while aspiring to get a degree in Accountancy, which is not an easy course to take.

As a working student, Sheila was very organized. “I usually plot my schedule, para organized ang things.” (I usually plot my schedule so everything will be organized.)

Sheila kept her eyes on the prize and never let anything stir her away from her dream. She shared that she has seen how hard it is to look for work as an undergraduate. “Lahi gyud if maka-graduate ka. Mura sa’g imuha nang achievement in life nga even though wala mo’y kuwarta, naka-eskwela ka with your own effort.” (It’s different when you are a college graduate. It’s a great achievement that even though you’re financially unwell, you’re still in school because of your own effort.) At present, Sheila is reviewing for the Accountancy Board Exam, which is the final step in achieving her dream of being an accountant.

With her success of being a working student, Shiela shared her values throughout her endeavor. “Kailangan determined ug mo-persevere. Unya naa man gyud na’y mga kalisud, di lang gyud mu-give up dayon. (You should persevere and be determined. There are always down times, but never give up easily.) And then, have a goal in life and achieve it, no matter what.”

Working students are good teenage models. They have already been exposed to the realities of life earlier than most of us. They may stumble and fall throughout their journey, but the fighting spirit in them will help them achieve their dreams.

These three ladies who have sacrificed so much just so they could continue their education are keen examples of how teenagers should be today: determined, strong and ambitious people, who persevere through hard times with a passion for education. The question is…are you one of them?