With student loan repayments resuming in the fall, many students are working or interning during the summer to earn money
SEATTLE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has published a recent survey report that explores students' plans for working or interning over the summer. The report also shares insight into the pressure that students are facing due to student loans. Overall, the survey garnered responses from 749 current, full-time undergraduate students.
According to survey results, 53 percent of undergraduate college students are working this summer. Of this group, 34 percent are working a service industry or customer service job. Additionally, 21 percent are doing an internship, and 7 percent are doing both. Among respondents working in the service industry, 43 percent are earning $11 to $15 per hour before tips and 30 percent are earning $16 to $20 per hour. In fact, 36 percent say they are earning more than an additional $10 per hour in tips.
Survey results show that 39 percent of students working in the service industry are 'strongly' or 'somewhat' considering delaying their return to school due to earning potential. Of this group, 65 percent say they have federal student loans, and 82 percent are 'very' or 'somewhat' worried about having to resume federal student loan payments.
About one-fifth (21%) of college students are doing an internship this summer, and of this group nearly half (46%) say their internship is unpaid. Of students with unpaid internships who have federal student loans, 85% are worried about payments resuming. A similar percentage (82%) of students with paid internships feel the same.
"Tuition, room and board are more expensive than ever, and few families can afford to pay the entire cost. Given the recent Supreme Court ruling that student loan payments will resume, the looming debt payments are more concerning than ever," says Professor of Strategic Communication at Ithaca College and Principal of Gayeski Analytics Diane Gayeski, Ph.D.
"Having a college degree no longer guarantees an immediate job, and especially in careers like theater, filmmaking, and music that are a series of 'gigs' rather than steady jobs, the ability to find other flexible types of employment is necessary for financial survival. Students who understand this build up their experience and network in retail or hospitality chains where they can easily find employment, even in other cities, with the same company."
This online poll was commissioned by Intelligent.com and conducted by SurveyMonkey from June 29 to 30, 2023. Respondents consist of a national sample of 749 full-time college students aged 18 to 25. A total of 509 students who are working and/or participating in an internship this summer completed the full survey. To view the complete report, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/4-in-10-college-students-working-in-service-industry-considering-delaying-return-to-school-given-earning-potential/.
ABOUT INTELLIGENT.COM
Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides that include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships, and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Media Contact
Intelligent.com, Intelligent.com, (800) 203-5102, pr@intelligent.com
SOURCE Intelligent.com
Share this article