Helping Student Employees Balance Work With Academics

College students have a lot to balance: classes, student organizations, and social lives. Now, add a part-time job or internship in the mix, and it can be difficult to manage academic, professional, and personal commitments. If you hire or manage student employees, you might wonder how they’re able to handle so many conflicting priorities. Can students still be hardworking employees if they’re juggling so many other responsibilities?

For many students, finding a part-time job is a high priority. Students may need to save up money to repay student loans or cover personal expenses like off-campus housing and groceries. They may also want to develop professional skills that will complement their coursework and help them search for jobs after graduation. While they may be young, they have motivation, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn. There’s no doubt that student employees can become a great part of your team.

As their manager, there are a few ways you can help them navigate between their academic and work commitments. Setting your student employees up for success is beneficial for the overall health and wellness of your team.

Via Pexels 

Flexible Schedules

College students often have unusual schedules. Classes do not always take place during standard nine-to-five business hours. They range from 8:00 AM morning classes to evening classes that end at 10:00 PM. Often, class schedules alternate based on the days of the week. Comprehending the variety in student schedules will help you schedule in a way that works for both you and your employees.

It’s in your best interest to offer flexible schedules to student employees. What does that look like? Here are some options:

• Remote work: If your student employees can do their jobs remotely, this may be in their best interest. Students will save time by cutting out their commute. Remote work can be done at home or in designated study spaces on campus, like the library. Overall, remote work makes it easier for student employees to work in between classes.
• Asynchronous hours: Similar to remote work, offering an asynchronous schedule allows students to fit their work responsibilities into their personal schedules. This allows students to discover what working hours are best for their productivity. If you offer asynchronous work, it is important to clearly communicate deadlines, as your employee may not be available during regular business hours. It may help to have your employees commit to a set time frame so you know when they will be available.
• Varied shifts or staggered work hours: Student employees may not be able to work the same shift or hours every day due to daily inconsistencies in their class schedules. Having variety built into their schedules can solve this problem.
• Limit maximum hours scheduled per week: Most students are looking for part-time jobs, as it’s easier to manage academics when working less than 40 hours per week. If possible, try not to schedule student employees more than 20 hours per week. A large workload can be difficult for a full-time student. A good range to aim for is about 8-12 hours per week. Communicate with your employees about what range is best for them.

Of course, whether or not these arrangements will work for you depends on your student employees’ job responsibilities. Regardless, it is a good idea to communicate with your employee and figure out a flexible system that will accommodate their academic schedule. Every student employee has different commitments and needs.

If your student employees work in shifts, create a system where employees can easily switch shifts with each other. College students may have to adjust their schedules throughout the semester. For example, they may decide it’s important to be available for their professor’s office hours the week of a big exam. There might be times when they need to pencil in a visiting speaker’s campus-wide lecture. Since these events are not part of their normal weekly schedule, the ability to switch shifts with other employees can help them stay on top of academics without calling out of work. Additionally, creating a simple process to request time off can improve scheduling and prevent time conflicts.

Be Compassionate

Students are learning on the job just as much as they’re learning in the classroom. Many students are navigating their first job. They are discovering how to behave in a professional environment for the first time. If you find that your student employee needs extra guidance when it comes to managing their workload, try to show compassion.

Busy schedules may seem like a conflict of interest, but active campus involvement allows students to develop soft skills. Student organizations regularly teach communication, organization, and leadership skills. The Ohio State University’s Center for the Study of Student Life found that students who were highly involved in campus activities were significantly more career-ready. That sounds exactly like the kind of employee you want to work with!