The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a non-profit educational organization is training a spotlight on work and academic balance at community colleges.
College-Work Balancing Act, is one of four reports being released by ACCT over the next few years. The other three reports will focus on prior-learning assessments, working with alternative education providers, and upskilling and changing workforce dynamics within automation.
“We really wanted to recognize that if colleges are thinking about workforce development, they also need to think that those students are working and thinking about ways that they can tailor the campus environment to ensure working student success,” said Allison Beer, senior policy analyst at ACCT.
According to the survey, over two-thirds of community college students work while enrolled in school. Additionally, 70 percent of community college students hold a job unrelated to their field of study. As a result, working while attending school is based on financial need rather than earning career experiences.
“For colleges, I think that’s a challenge because they have to accept the reality that students are working but there’s more to do to help students make sure that their work experience is connected to their college coursework,” said Beer. “Or the flip side of that, there is more to do to ensure that students have the financial resources that they need so they don’t have to take on a job that’s not related to their course of study.”
In terms of demographics, 70 percent of females, 72 percent of White students and 71 percent of students between the ages of 24 to 29 held jobs while being enrolled in community college. Additionally, 71 percent of independent students, especially those with their own dependents, are also more likely to work compared to 65 percent of dependent students, the report found.
Various factors impact student success within the work life and academic balance including lack of time, poor academic performance and finances.
