Working students must juggle responsibilities of their job, school and extracurriculars, all while keeping their mental health in check. 

According to the Georgetown report, over 70% of students work while attending college. Maintaining a job is a considerable time commitment. Simpson student Brittany Demoney is part of that 70%. 

Demoney, a junior majoring in health and exercise, works in downtown Indianola, Iowa. 

Demoney expressed how important it is to stay ahead of assignments while she’s in school. “I try to get my homework done before going to work. I use a planner to prioritize my assignments and know when I need to get them done before I go to work,” Demoney said. 

Many student workers struggle to maintain a balance between school and work. This was the case for first-year Cole Miller when he started working during school. 

“Getting used to college was more difficult because of work,” Miller said. “It was hard to decide whether work or school was more important to me.” 

Why do students choose to take on this extra responsibility? The most apparent reason is getting ahead on their student loans.

This was the case for Miller, who plans to work his entire college career.

“Right now, I have paid all but the last payment for my first year,” Miller said. “If I get a raise or a job that pays more, I may have enough [money] by the time I graduate to pay off all my loans.” 

There are also other benefits to being a student worker. 

For Demoney, going to work is a way to get away from the stress and anxiety that comes with school. 

Miller enjoys an employee discount at the restaurant he works at and occasionally eats and chats with his co-workers. 

Having a job in college isn’t for everyone. Students with demanding class schedules or many extracurriculars simply may not have the time to work. But for those who can, it can be a great way to supplement the overall college experience.