In 2023, many students work jobs and go to school, the levels of stress can be very high. They aren’t always recognized for how hard they work to provide for not only themselves, but also a possible family.
Name: Crystal Sonnenberg
Job: Transition Specialist of Fresh Start
Program: Fresh Start is a program offered at the Falcon HOPE Center that helps students transition into college, gain knowledge and skills, grow their community, and receive one-on-one support.
Quote: “I think that the stress levels for students that work and are able to attend school are very high because it’s like having two full time jobs. I see the stress come out in them. They get very frustrated and overwhelmed, especially in the beginning… it is initially very intimidating.”
Name: Linda Ottesen
Job: Associate Director of CCAMPIS
Program: Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) is another program offered at the Falcon HOPE Center that helps assist student parents with the cost of keeping their children enrolled in quality, accredited, and conveniently located childcare services.
Quote: “Holding a job and holding an education, whether its half time or part time is a lot, and throwing in being a parent possibly is even a lot more. I feel like it’s stressful but programs like this and others will help allow students to take a little bit off of that barrier off of them. Although it is stressful, it is something they can accomplish.
Name: Nicole Davis-DiCaprio
Age: 22
Semester: Fourth year
Major: Business Management with a concentration in hospitality for hotels and casinos
Occupation: Front desk at Academic Support Center
Quote: “There are a lot of benefits to working at DSC, mostly getting to pick your own schedule. But you won’t be able to do the same things at this job, like getting a promotion, that you could at other jobs. There is also a lot more guidance because you are working with advisors, it’s a bit of give and take. At most medium stress.”
Name: Giuliana Chechi
Age: 30
Semester: First year
Major: Cosmetology, Esthetician
Occupation: Licensed massage therapist
Quote: “It is challenging but it’s very rewarding, especially in the field that I am in, it goes very well with the career path that I am taking. It teaches me a lot of things to get ready for the world out there.”
Name: Hector Alberty
Age: 21
Semester: Third year
Major: Project Management
Occupation: Works at News Journal Center
Quote: “Working here at DSC and going to school full time can definitely help you because staff and student members that are working full time understand you are going to school and getting your degree.”
Name: Jaquavius Johnson
Age: 31
Semester: Second year
Major: Information and Technology
Occupation: Restaurant manager
Quote: “Definitely have to have great time management skills.”
Name: Javier Torres
Age: 40
Semester: First year
Major: ADA
Occupation: Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Quote: “Overwhelmingly stressful. There is not enough time in the nursing program for anything in life, so any additional things in life are just added stress and less time.”
Name: Robert Herzog
Age: 19
Semester: Second year
Major: Electrical Engineering
Occupation: Produce stocker at grocery store
Quote: “It can be kind of tough sometimes, especially with poor time management. Especially when I’d have to rush schoolwork at work, and vice versa. So, it can be quite challenging to do it, it just needs good time management and having a flexible schedule.”
Name: Rachael Jaenicke
Age: 28
Semester: Second year
Major: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupation: New patient enrollment for a medical equipment company
Quote: “It can be frustrating always having to change around your work schedule every semester to fit your classes, and also studying for tests and doing homework while working. So, it can be difficult at times.”
Name: Jackie Ruiz
Age: 25
Semester: Second year
Major: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupation: Front desk receptionist at an urgent care
Quote: “It’s very stressful, especially if you live an hour away from your school, and trying to find jobs that will work with your schedule while still being able to come to school on the days that you need to come.”