Working in college during COVID-19

For many of you reading this, working may be inevitable. Money pays for your tuition, puts food on the table, and pays the bills. While money is needed, especially during these hard times, hit pause before you consider working while attending college during this pandemic. Here are some questions to ask before dealing with a new, current or different job while in school:  

1) Does your employer have clear and proactive measures against COVID-19 spread?

Although there is currently no official nationwide mandate in place for employers to abide by in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, and all changes within businesses are solely based on their discretion, there are some general adjustments that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for every business or company to make within the workplace. These ordinances include:

·       Facemask wearing

·       Social distancing measures

·       Hand-washing/practice good hygiene

·       Avoiding sharing objects and equipment

·       Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects

If your current or new employer is not adhering to any of the basic CDC recommended guidelines, you may want to reconsider your place of employment. As mentioned prior, there is no nationwide mandate of what is required from businesses regarding COVID-19 prevention, however if there is no clear explanation—verbal or written document—that states how your employer is adhering to recommendations from the CDC, then it would be wise to weigh out whether your place of employment is worth your time. If they are not, there are many other businesses that are adhering to CDC guidelines and beyond.

Another precaution to consider is whether there are proper protocols in place if you or an employee gets sick from COVID-19. Are employees required to stay home and quarantine? Do you know who to report to if you test positive for COVID-19? Are your co-workers required to stay home for at least 14 days if they become exposed to someone who had COVID-19? Again, these are all questions that are not required by every business and every employer, however, many businesses have a planned protocol written in case any of these circumstances arise. Precautions should be taken in order to put the safety of yourself and the rest of your coworkers before everything else.     

2) Is there a possibility of working from home?

Once viewed as an option for just the digital nomads on a secluded beach somewhere in another time zone, remote work options have become the new norm for many businesses in order to protect themselves and their customers.

Although jobs such as a barista or stock person would require you to work in person, there are many other job opportunities that will allow you to work remotely. Your school is the first place to check for possible remote work. Colleges tend to put the employment of their students first above outside applicants vying for the same position. If the job duties entail mostly administrative work such as telephone and email communications, then you should be able to have a conversation with the hiring staff about whether remote work is possible.

Remote work can be very rewarding. Other than not having to worry about whether your coworkers mind your tendency to hum the latest TikTok video song while you send out emails, it’s—most importantly—the best way to keep yourself safe from potential COVID-19 exposure. Just be sure to fully consider what remote work would entail and the tools and environment you’ll need in order to be a diligent employee.

In general, if you’re able to work remotely for your new job, be sure to consider your “work space” at home. It may seem like a sweet deal to get paid to work in your pajamas but don’t mistake the perk for a chance to “cruise” on the job. You may need to reassess your living arrangement and be sure you have necessary work essentials such as access to a secure high-speed internet connection and a comfortable desk and chair. If you’re going to be sharing the space with roommates or housemates, you may need to invest in noise canceling headphones or be sure to communicate when you need “quiet time” to work from home.

3) Do you have the time?

Be extra vigilant with your time management skills as working while attending college takes hard work and a disciplined schedule. Especially with stay-at-home orders and virtual classes, it’s crucial to give yourself an allotted time frame to take a break from the computer screen. If your schedule won’t allow for breaks between working and going to school, then perhaps it’s best to rethink your work hours, research student unemployment benefits (if you’ve been laid off due to COVID-19), or contemplate if you can take out a school loan instead. Working is important during college, but if it clouds your studies and the main purpose of why you’re obtaining your education in the first place, it could hurt your goals instead of helping.

Part of your educational journey into college is about weighing out tough decisions. If school is your priority then take the steps necessary to allow you to do that fully. If work needs to be your goal at the moment, take that route instead and maybe reassess going to school later. There is no right or wrong answer. You have your own story to write, and it’s just beginning!