By John Miller
Some College of Southern Nevada students worked jobs in fast food to make money while balancing busy school schedules.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook dated 2022, “Part-time work is common for food and beverage serving and related workers because restaurants and other eating places typically have extended dining hours, work shifts often include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work may be seasonal. Food and beverage serving and related workers may not work or may have limited hours during certain times of the year. For example, those in school cafeterias may work only during the school year, usually nine to 10 months.”
“Food and beverage serving and related workers employs more 16- to 19-year-olds than any other occupation,” according to BLS.
According to National Center for Educational Statistics on college student employment, “Many undergraduate students ages 16 to 64 are employed at the same time they are enrolled in school. In 2020, the percentage of undergraduate students who were employed was higher among part-time students at 74% than among full-time students at 40%. Being employed can help a student pay for classes and other living expenses; it can also be associated, either positively or negatively, with a student’s academic performance.”
CSN student and Taco Bell Manager Emalie Knight said, “It can be stressful at times. I’m 30. I have a husband and a 6-month-old daughter, but I can say my stress levels are pretty low. Since I am a manager and here basically all the time, I take all my classes online and feel like my professors give me respectable deadlines to accomplish everything that I need to get done while working 40+ hours a week.”
Knight also said, “I would say about 40% of my workers are in college or doing other school. I always try to be flexible with their schedules to make sure they have enough time for things like homework or anything else. I do not want to stress them out any more than they already might be.”
BLS stated the median pay per year in 2023 was $29,710 with an hourly wage of $14.29.
When asked if he was properly compensated Guerrero stated, “I believe so; I make $14 an hour. It definitely helps with paying for my tuition and I know that some fast-food places offer scholarships or tuition assistance. I honestly do not know if McDonald’s does or not.”
Knight said, “I know it definitely helps most of them out with their tuition costs, and we do offer scholarships. There is a whole Taco Bell scholarship we do for students that has them submit a video, explaining who they are, what they are going to college for, their passion towards school, etc.”
CSN student and Taco Bell Manager Madison Stuart said, “I believe so, being a manager and working here since I was probably around 17, it has helped me earn money towards tuition, books and any other necessary items when it comes to school.”
When asked about how working in fast food impacts his life Guerrero stated, “It actually really helps me become more social. I’ve met a lot of people and made a lot of friends while working here and I actually really enjoy it. I thought personally I would hate it, but it’s mostly fun and a good time.”
Stuart added, “I love working here and being in this environment with all my friends and creating new friendships.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 