Challenges and

Opportunities Faced By
Working Students amidst
Pandemic

John Erwin Prado Pedroso, Phd., Melchie Liza Alcarde, Albert Jan Gordon & Clara Belle
Ponesto (2022)
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the status quo since March 2019,
which affected institutions like schools and the economy. The learners,
specifically working students, encountered opportunities and numerous
challenges posed by the new modality utilized to resume classes in the
new normal (Esteron, 2021). Furthermore, working students, as
selfsustaining, persist in earning despite additional challenges because of
motivations like their socioeconomic problems, academic fees, and an
opportunity for personal development (Abenoja et al., 2019).
Thesis Statement
This descriptive phenomenological study aims to
describe and to explore the challenges and
opportunities encountered by working students
during the pandemic by inquiring them
regarding their experiences.
Article Summary

The researchers have purposively sampling technique chosen nine

working students from a public state university using criteria. A
written interview questionnaire was utilized to gather data, which the
researchers sent to the informants through the Messenger
application. The informants were instructed to answer the question
using the Gibbs’ Reflective Model as a guide, where they needed to
elaborate the description of their experience, feelings, evaluation,
analysis, conclusion, and action plan. Two (2) significant themes
were identified from written interview documents of nine informants.
And the researchers generated six (6) categories and their sub-
categories that is relevant to the theme of study.
Challenges Perceived
Working students' experiences amidst the pandemic have distinct grounds
for how they perceive and deal with their current situation.

Recognized Limitations on Emotional and Physical Self

01 Emotional Constraints

02 Physical Constraints

Lesser in-person Connection and Mobilization

01 Pandemic Constraints

02 Social Constraints
Opportunities Gained
Regardless of the challenges that these working students face in their daily
responsibilities and obligations; during this pandemic, they encounter
opportunities that complement their adversities.

Development of Character and Skills Established a Positive Stance

01 Self-Development 01 Intrinsic Motivation

02 Self-Fulfillment 02 Extrinsic Motivation

Financial Opportunities Created a Constructive Coping Mechanisms

01 Economic Freedom 01 Physical Coping Methods

02 Self-Support 02 Cognitive Coping Methods

 Analysis and Conclusion
The study has no recording or not having 1 on 1 interview, instead they just send the questionnaires to the
informants through messenger app and received their answers in a written form.
One challenges of the working students is the time management. As these working students find it very
difficult to divide their time for work and to school activities, the school should implement provide support
that can help their students while studying or extend more time in the deadlines for working students.
The data of this study shows that working students experience various benefits from their job while studying.
It is said that having a job or being a working student can enhance or development the time management
skills, the confidence, decision making and the communication skills of a person.
This study shows that working students gain better skills such as time management and confident in their
work and university.
Thank you for Listening!

References:
Pedroso, J. E. P., Alcarde, M. L., Gordon, A. J., Ponesto, C. B. (2022). Challenges and Opportunities Faced By
Working Students amidst Pandemic.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362312748_Challenges_and_Opportunities_Faced_By_Working_St
udents_amidst_Pandemic
Esteron, M. A. S. (2021). Equity in Online Learning amidst Pandemic in the Philippines
Abenoja, R., Accion, N., Aguilar, J., Alcasid, M., Amoguis, A., Buraquit, D., Mama, A., Pacete, J. & Pame, J.
(2019). The Experiences of Working While Studying: A Phenomenological Study of Senior High School
Students. https://edarxiv.org/w5t7a/download