Balancing being a student and a part-time worker is not for the faint of heart.
It takes an incredible amount of drive and follow-through to be able to navigate fulfilling one’s responsibilities both professionally and academically. Those who have never found themselves in positions like this should not only be grateful, but they should also extend respect and grace for those who do have pick up shifts in order to afford tuition.
One aspect of being a student worker that far too many people ignore is the fact that on top of dealing with managing all the tasks and responsibilities, these young employees also often have to deal with managers and supervisors who think they can walk all over them. Sure, when a student signs an employment contract, they are then committing themselves to the terms and conditions of their job. However, the employer is also responsible for respecting the student’s schedule and predicament.
This student worked several shifts a week making deliveries for a printing shop. Not only was his manager disrespectful of his schedule, but he also had the audacity to underpay the student repeatedly. Now, the student acknowledges that he didn’t stand up for himself at first, but who can blame him? This was one of his first jobs. He might not have known just how much leverage he had. However, when he did finally confront his manager, he made sure that he would be leaving his boss scrambling…
