Institute for Research on Labor and Employment

Working while attending school has become a common reality for many secondary and postsecondary students in California. Nearly half of young workers aged 16 to 24 also attend school, with many college undergraduates working many hours per week. While employment can provide valuable career experience and marketable skills, extensive work hours often limit access to academic and professional opportunities, contributing to lower GPAs, longer time to degree, increased debt, and reduced post-graduation earnings. To better understand these dynamics, the 2023 UCLA Labor Summer Research Program (LSRP 2023) conducted 159 surveys and 30 interviews with students working while enrolled in public colleges and universities across Los Angeles County. The study examined students’ experiences with academics, workplaces, commuting, housing, and financial aid. Findings highlight the challenges and trade-offs faced by students balancing work and education and provide recommendations for policies and programs to support working learners’ academic success, economic stability, and career development.