The Work-Study Balance
By Randy Wong, Tan Wei Mou and Mookambiga
WONG KEAN YANG RANDY, TAN WEI MOU AND MOOKAMBIGA finds out how youths juggle their time between school and work.
Ms Naazneen Ashfur (in the penguin costume) is required to dress up as Pororo Park’s mascot to entertain the kids. (Photo courtesy of Naazneen Ashfur)
It is no surprise that many youths are trying to be independent as soon as they can. Based on a recent statistic published by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on the Labour Force in Singapore, it says that the employment rate for youths aged 15-24 has risen from 30.9 per cent in June 2020 to 37.2 per cent in June 2021. MOM said the reason behind the increase would be more students taking on part time jobs while schooling.
Ms Ashruf Ali Naazneen Ashfur, 19, has been working since she was 16. She initially started working to help out her dad who was the sole breadwinner of the household but over time, she enjoyed the financial freedom that came along.
Currently, she is studying full time at Singapore University of Social Sciences while working part time at Pororo Park. She earns about $500 a month and spends about 20 hours a week working. She spends her income on basic necessities like food, transportation and groceries. Additional expenses include social and leisure purposes such as shopping and entertainment.
Ms Qi Wee Teo, 19, currently enrolled in Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business & Accountancy, has been working part-time to pay her school fees. She started her work experience at the age of 9 by helping out at her parent’s food stall. In order to pay for her school fees as well as “gain more connections and real-world experience” and “save money for shopping”, Ms Teo now works part-time at By Invite Only.
“I earned about $1,000 between November and December since I worked quite often and I used it plus some of my savings to pay my school fees in full,” said Ms Teo.
Ms Teo’s parents are supportive of her decision to work part-time while studying. They are glad that she can gain experience outside of the Food and Beverage Industry as she is working in a “warm and helpful environment”.
​However, working part-time while studying can take a toll on one’s education and health. Ms Ashfur said that she initially struggled with balancing her studies and job at once. She often found herself having difficulties to cater time for her assignments and revision. However, she got a hang of it as days went by.
“Being really exhausted during lessons or while doing school work, or being sleep deprived during work. This was a major issue as I often stay up past midnight to finish my work,” said Ms Ashfur.
Ms Teo is cautious about balancing her work and studies, “One struggle I have is knowing when to step back from work because it is enticing to work a lot so that you have excess money to save and spend. But I have to be careful not to overwork myself especially because I’m in Year 2 and if I fall behind in my studies it will snowball and it’ll be hard for me to catch up.”
When COVID-19 hit Singapore, employers turned to youth part-timers to manage shortage of manpower by offering a higher hourly pay.
“When you are still young, try to live below your means and, if possible, invest early,” said Mr Braxton Gan when asked what his advice would be for youths working part time.
(Photo courtesy of Braxton Gan)
​Mr Braxton Gan, 22, who is a Financial Consultant from Great Eastern said that one of the many reasons he personally knows of youths working part time is to gain independence and rely less on their parents to provide for their day to day expenses.
“Although a balance is what everyone should strive for, sometimes it might not be as ideal and we might have to settle for a compromise. However, always prioritise your studies as you are, after all, a full-time student,” said Mr Gan.
​Mr Gan mentioned that there are various financial schemes for students who are in need of financial help. There is the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) to help out the Chinese students, MENDAKI for the Malays/Muslims, and SINDA for Indians.
​“You should always remember to prioritise your studies because money can always be made in the future and any problem that can be solved by money, isn’t a big problem. Your qualifications follow you for a lifetime so avoid scrimping on your studies if you can,” said Ms Teo.