Navigating The Path of A Working Students Towards Their Success in Marikina City
Navigating The Path of A Working Students Towards Their Success in Marikina City
mental and physical health, balancing work and study, and strategies to manage stress and maintain
health. The research uses qualitative methods to interview recent graduates and analyzes data to
understand policy decisions, institutional support systems, and employer practices. The study highlights
the importance of research beyond academic circles and its potential to advance social goals, empowering
individuals to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities and professions.
Many undergraduate students work outside of their studies to control tuition costs and increase
scholarship demand, but this often leads to increased anxiety and lower graduation rates. The study
recommends informed decision-making and support mechanisms for successful graduate students,
emphasizing the need for individual empowerment and consideration of unique needs in policy decision-
1. What are the reasons that helped you decide to work while studying?
2. What did you feel when you started working while studying?
3. What struggles and challenges did you experience during your days of being a working
student?
4. Who inspired you to keep going on work while studying? How did they inspire you?
5. As a working student, how did you balance your academic responsibilities with your
employment commitments?
6. How do working student like you perceived the impact of employment on your academic
7. How did you handle stress and maintain a healthy work-life-school balance?
8. How does the experience of being a working student influence your future career
10. What advice would you offer to those students who are struggling to balance their studies
and careers?
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
This study mainly focuses in Navigating the Path of a Working Student Towards
their Success in Marikina City that concentrates specifically on how they balanced
work, studies, and their responsibilities to their family and other acquaintances.
Thus, the data gathered will address to those working students and their
This study is limited since the interview will conduct only to 5 respondents in
Marikina City. Research made question will use as a guide in doing the interview to
WORK-STUDY FUNDING: Financial assistance provided to students to help cover their educational expenses,
FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS: Individuals who are the first in their family to pursue higher education.
STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS: Approaches and actions taken to address challenges, enhance the
LABOR MARKET: It encompasses the demand for workers, the available job opportunities, and the dynamics
they are expected to work, and any other professional obligations they need to meet as part of their employment.
NEED-BASED GRANT: Financial aid awarded to students based on their financial need. Typically provided by
educational institutions or government agencies and are intended to help students cover the cost of tuition, fees,
TRADITIONAL-AGED STUDENT: A student who is attending college or university at the typical age, usually
between 18 and 24 years old. Traditional-aged students are often pursuing their first undergraduate degree
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: An individual who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree at a college or
university. They are enrolled in undergraduate programs and have not yet completed their bachelor's degree.
STUDENTS' FULL TENURE: Entire duration or period of time that a student is enrolled in an educational
institution, such as a college or university, to complete their degree program. It encompasses the time from when
the student first enrolls until they graduate or leave the institution.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The literature review explores the challenges and consequences of balancing work and academic
responsibilities for working students. The review also highlighted the importance of strategies to help
working students manage stress, improve academic performance, and develop essential skills for future
careers.
Bennet (2015) conducted a study on the effect of financial stress on students' academic performance and
found that students exposed to financial stress were more likely to be employed, work long hours, and
perform poorly in business courses. It shows that the performance is extremely low. This study focuses on
the challenges faced by economically burdened students, especially women, minorities, and first-generation
students. The findings highlighted the negative impact of financial stress on students' ability to achieve
academic excellence.
Working students predominantly spend more time working than studying, and the time constraints of work
Additionally, Mantle (2020) highlighted the overwhelming pressures working students face to achieve
academic excellence, participate in extracurricular activities, and maintain employment. This study
addresses the issue faced by students regarding the importance of work experience in university
admissions, creating a dilemma where they are torn between professional responsibilities and other
interests.
In general, the literature review examines the challenges that working students face in balancing work and
school responsibilities, the value of support strategies, and the unique ways in which educators can improve
information about how to pay college costs. Educational Policy, 35(7), 1311–1348. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904819867398
(Scott-Clayton, 2015). Scott-Clayton, J., & Rodriguez, O. (n.d.). Development, discouragement, or diversion? New evidence on the effects of
(Perna, 2019). Recognizing the reality of working college students. (2020b, February 6). AAUP.https://www.aaup.org/article/recognizing-
reality-working-college-students?fbclid=IwAR28UNYvr8USK_0yI28DeQliwF_mlyTLMm4Nei8pkeCM9UZ8hNtxL_h9yFo
(Martinez, 2014). Martínez-Jaramillo, S., Alexandrova-Kabadjova, B., Bravo-Benítez, B., & Solórzano-Margain, J. P. (2014). An empirical study of
the Mexican banking system’s network and its implications for systemic risk. Journal of Economic Dynamics & Control, 40, 242–265.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jedc.2014.01.009
Bennet (2015) THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL STRESS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGE ECONOMICS COURSES - ProQuest. (n.d.-
b). https://www.proquest.com/openview/e40fac0fb7c32606487a6c256baad15d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=38741
McCarty/65b6bdc1aa5333d9f3c8a2aebb6388445f9d826f?fbclid=IwAR1FgNA-SKiW0_FAI2HjshUETkMw-92wyleccPizkjK84o5NYleRUzZVVH4
Support for Working Students: Understanding The Impacts Of Employment In Students' Lives R. M. Summer, Megan McCoy, I Barrena Trujillo,
Esperanza Rodriguez
https://typeset.io/papers/support-for-working-students-understanding-the-impacts-of-2bkp5ltz
Darolia, R. (2014, February). Working (and studying) day and night: Heterogeneous effects of working on the academic performance of full-time
Verulava, T., & Jorbenadze, R. (2022, January 7). The impact of part-time employment on students' health.
https://www.mmsjournals.org/index.php/mmj/article/view/413
(What Students Are Saying About Having A Part-Time Job While In School, 2022)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-having-a-part-time-job-while-in-school.html
BERHANU, K. Z., & SABANCİ, A. (2020, December 31). Factors Influencing University Students’ Academic Achievement and Strategies Taken to Improve
Their Achievement: Ethiopia as a Sample. İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 21(3), 1165–1180. https://doi.org/10.17679/inuefd.559972
https://typeset.io/papers/working-students-educational-success-and-subjective-well-16mp89hc
Wang, T. (2021, April 7). How working part-time while being a full-time student has allowed me to develop beneficial skills.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-working-part-time-while-being-full-time-student-has-tina-wang
Pedroso, J. E. (2022). Challenges and Opportunities Faced By Working Students amidst Pandemic https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362312748
Yusof, Z. N. (2020). The importance of part-time work to UK university students. Industry & Higher Education, 35(6), 725–735.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422220980920
DOCUMENTATION OF INTERVIEW
CONDUCTED
SUMMARY OF ANSWERS
1. What are the reasons that helped you decide to work while studying?
PARTICIPANT A:
Due to high tuition fees and other expenses, to meet financial needs.
PARTICIPANT B:
Personal financial responsibilities such as tuition fees, and other living expenses.
PARTICIPANT C:
Financial Problem
PARTICIPANT D:
To gain work experience and practical skills that can complement his studies.
PARTICIPANT E:
Lack of financial support and poverty.
2. What did you feel when you started working while studying?
PARTICIPANT A:
He experienced mixed emotions during his first professional job — including excitement,
determination, and nervousness. He was also worried that when he started getting own salary, he
might get disinterested in studies and prioritize work over school activities.
PARTICIPANT B:
She felt a sense of pressure to succeed in both areas of his life.
PARTICIPANT C:
Nervous about how she would manage her time and handle the workload, but she also felt proud
of herself for taking on the challenge of working while studying.
PARTICIPANT D:
Felt excited and motivated to be gaining real-world experience while still pursuing education.
However, as time went on, he started to feel drained and struggled to keep up with all his
commitments.
PARTICIPANT E:
He felt the need to work hard to support himself because no one was going to help him but
himself.
3. What struggles and challenges did you experience during your days of being a working student?
PARTICIPANT A:
Balancing schoolwork and job responsibilities. Fatigue and lack of sleep due to late nights studying after work shifts.
PARTICIPANT B:
Financial strain was a constant challenge, as she had to cover tuition fees and living expenses on his own.
PARTICIPANT C:
Had to juggle multiple deadlines and priorities, which could be overwhelming at times.
PARTICIPANT D:
Dealing with fatigue and burnout from working long hours and then having to attend classes and study for exams. It was
PARTICIPANT E:
Balancing time between work, studying, and personal life. It was a constant juggling act trying to fulfill all the responsibilities.
4. Who inspired you to keep going on work while studying? How did they inspire you?
PARTICIPANT A:
His late grandfather's dedication and positive attitude have greatly influenced him to
work hard and pursue education, that despite not completing his high school, he still
PARTICIPANT B:
A close friend inspired her that hard work pays off and motivated her to stay focused on
education.
PARTICIPANT C:
Her parents, as she wants to give them a good life and she don't want to
be a burden.
PARTICIPANT D:
His parents encouraged him to work hard and achieve goals.
PARTICIPANT E:
His parents inspired him to keep going on work while studying. As they
always emphasize the importance of education and hard work, and seeing
their dedication and sacrifices motivated him to do the same.
5. As a working student, how did you balance your academic responsibilities with your
employment commitments?
PARTICIPANT A:
Effective planning, time management, and collaboration with supervisors and professors are
PARTICIPANT B:
By staying organized and making strategic decisions, she was able to successfully juggle both
Seeking support from friends, family, and colleagues provided her with the necessary
PARTICIPANT D:
and projects that were due sooner while also setting aside time for work shifts.
PARTICIPANT E:
There is no such thing as balanced work and study ethics. He just disciplined himself to
manage whatever he could in a day and do the same the next day.
6. How do working student like you perceived the impact of employment on your academic
PARTICIPANT A:
Maintaining good grades while working can be challenging, but it also offers opportunities
PARTICIPANT B:
Employment provides real-world experience and skills that enhance academic and overall
learning experience. The juggling of work and school as an opportunity for personal growth
PARTICIPANT D:
He struggles with homework, quizzes, and exams, especially when he is unsure what to do
first—work or study.
PARTICIPANT E:
He perceived that poverty, and his weaknesses were not a hindrance to achieving and
reaching goals in life. It is a steppingstone to finishing his studies and gaining experience at
PARTICIPANT A:
Prioritizing health, take breaks, spend time with family and friends, travel, and rest when feeling burnt out to refresh and regain motivation.
PARTICIPANT B:
Established a routine that allowed her to allocate time for work, school, and self-care activities.
PARTICIPANT C:
Prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals for herself. Made sure to take breaks when needed and seek support from friends and family when
feeling overwhelmed.
PARTICIPANT D:
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves engaging in regular exercise, consuming nutritious food, and balancing time to maintain a peaceful mind.
PARTICIPANT E:
Stress is inevitable. His dreams and goals in life are much greater than any stress he had in those days, and that's the reason why he kept going
PARTICIPANT A:
At first, he only wanted to work independently, but as time goes by, he enjoyed collaborating with his colleagues that gained leadership and
management skills which he didn't know he was capable of. He learned the value of financial independence, that leads him to seek opportunities for
PARTICIPANT B:
Being a working student can shape one's attitude towards work, career goals, and future aspirations, making individuals more determined and
PARTICIPANT C:
Juggling work and studies can teach valuable time management skills and work ethic, which can be beneficial in any career path she chooses.
PARTICIPANT D:
Enhances understanding of life's progression and provides him with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in life.
PARTICIPANT E:
As a working student, he manages to meet people along the way that also helped and contributed to his choices in life.
9. What benefits did you get in being a working student?
PARTICIPANT A:
Enhanced his communication and time management skills, provided financial
support for his education, and fostered professional connections for future
use.
PARTICIPANT B:
Allows her to earn a salary or income to support herself financially and
reduce the burden of student loans or debt.
PARTICIPANT C:
Developing time management skills by balancing work, school, and personal
responsibilities.
PARTICIPANT D:
Can support his studies and provide for his needs in school.
PARTICIPANT E:
He himself benefited a lot by means of financial support and got to support
the needs of his sisters in their studies as well.
10. What advice would you offer to those students who are struggling to balance their
PARTICIPANT A:
To prevent burnout, prioritize breaks, eat healthy, stay hydrated, and create a time
management plan to ensure adequate energy for work and school activities.
PARTICIPANT B:
Communicate openly with professors and employers about any challenges faced in balancing
studies and work. By being transparent about the situation, students can potentially
effectively.
PARTICIPANT C:
Effective time management is crucial for balancing work and school, as sticking to goals and
PARTICIPANT D:
Remember that it's okay to ask for help when you need it. Whether it's requesting extensions on
assignments, seeking tutoring for difficult subjects, or talking to your employer about adjusting
your work schedule, communication is key in finding solutions that work for you.
PARTICIPANT E:
Never give up on your dreams. It's not always rainbows and butterflies, but once you survive those
storms and thunders, it's all worth it. Have faith and always turn to God, and He will never let you
down.
RESEARCHER INFORMATION
Name: Andrea M. Domingo
Favorite Quotes: "The only impossible journey is the one you never be“ – Tony Robbins
Favorite Quotes: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Email: rix.naval04@gmail.com
Favorite Quotes: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.“
- Eleanor Roosevelt