Students in waged labour : a study in the effects of part-time work on sixth form youths

Abstract

This study looks into the effects of part-time employment on sixth form students. The effects analysed are of two main types: short-term outcomes, namely stress, time management and commitment to school, and long-term ones, namely career aspiration, career management skills and the self-development process. The study is divided into six main sections. The Introduction gives an outline of the main hypotheses that have been taken up prior to the commencement of the study. Following, is the Literature Review, which takes an extensive look into the local educational system and how it compares to other structures in EU countries. The labour market and the changing trends in the global economy are also discussed, leading to an examination of the nature of part-time employment, and its setup. This chapter also takes a brief journey into the different studies which have been carried out in other countries on the issue of student-workers. The Research Methodology outlines the procedure adopted for data collection. Twenty students attending Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar, and who were engaged in part-time labour at the time of the research, were selected as a sample group for the study. The investigation presented is made up of two main qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews and the focus group. In the Findings & Discussion chapter, extracts of the students' responses are presented, followed by an in-depth analysis and discussion of the results' implications. The hypotheses made at the beginning of the study are verified, and reference is made to other findings in different studies. Next, is the Recommendations chapter. This study seeks to aid career guidance practitioners who work in Higher Education in their understanding of youths' dilemmas, difficulties and holistic development when they are engaged in a dual role, namely that of a student and a worker. A list of suggestions is presented, based on the results outlined in the previous chapter. Finally, the Conclusion ends the journey into the issue of student employment. The limitations of the study are outlined. Since part-time employment among students is on the increase, further research into the topic is encouraged.