Four full-time OU students, Nathan Cosby, Neil Weathers, Sarah Sandel and Jericha McGill, discuss the challenges of working while attending classes. The students balance school, work and social activities to be financially independent, learn time management skills, and gain experience for their career goals. VIDEO: Cassi Toney, 2:22

OU students work to support themselves while attending school full time

CASSI TONEY

Full-time students at the University of Oklahoma balance work and school in order to pay bills for their education and gain experience for their future careers.

“My parents are there to help me when I need them, but I can support myself through working full time and still graduate on time,” said Jericha McGill, a communications junior.

Neil Weathers, a social work sophomore, said he got a job working as a server at Chili’s when he was 16 and has had the same job ever since.

“I’ve learned how to be responsible,” Weathers said. “I’ve learned how to keep a scheduled and balanced life, and I’ve learned what’s really important, like grades and not partying.”

Sarah Sandel has two part-time jobs and has leadership positions in four student organizations.

“I enjoy being busy,” Sandel said. “By being involved and being busy, I’m able to keep track of school better, and my grades are pretty good.”

McGill said she enjoys working as an account and budget representative for University Theatre because it gives her experience for her goal of serving as the executive
director for a nonprofit theatre.

“My experiences with the technical side of the theatre in addition to my time on stage and now working with the budgets make me a well-rounded candidate for my dream job,” McGill said.

McGill said she better understands the communication theories and techniques she learns in class through her work experience.

Nathan Cosby, a history senior, said his work experience does not relate to his studies.

“I learn how to speak professionally, but my work and major are very different,” Cosby said.

Cosby said he does not have free time outside of attending class, working and studying.

“To survive, I turned work into a social activity so I didn’t dread going to work,” Cosby said.

Cosby said he wished he did not have to work, but he has to work to pay rent and tuition.

“Students who don’t have to work through college might be missing out on important lessons, but they’re lucky,” Cosby said.

The percentage of employed full-time college students increased from 34 to 52 percent between 1970 and 2000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

From 1985 to 2010, the median household income in Oklahoma doubled, but the median annual in-state tuition septupled, according to the Southern Region Education Board.