In-campus work and study: Motivation, challenges, benefits, skills developed and impact on studies

This paper analyzes technology major students' experience in combining in campus work and study. Using structured interviews, it examines the factors influencing students' choice, the challenges and benefits of the experience, the skills developed and the impact on their studies. Results suggest that students choose to work for financial reasons and for gaining work experience, but also because of lecturer encouragement. Regarding the challenges in working and studying, the main one was managing time, while benefits include gaining work experience, widening social circle/socialization and putting in practice what was learned in class. The main skills developed were time management, critical thinking and problem solving, written and verbal communication, and teamwork. Finally, the impact on studies is mostly seen as positive since, despite time pressures, students feel that work has helped them appreciate the application of theoretical knowledge gained in class and made them more organized and improved their ability to work with deadlines.