By Sharif Hodges
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
With COVID-19 still looming across Maryland, many college students are juggling school work and virtual lectures with jobs that have them performing valuable services and duties during the pandemic.
The term “essential worker” has generally been applied to those who work in law enforcement, food services, healthcare, pharmacies and child care centers. But, as time passes and the coronavirus infections increase, more jobs have been added to the “essential” list, including restaurants, supermarkets, banks and convenience stores. Even gaming stores have stayed open.
“I don’t really think of myself as an ‘essential worker,’” said Sharee McLain, a Bowie State University computer science major who works at GameStop.
To McLain, essential working is more about first responders such as EMT workers or ambulance drivers, doctors, nurses and hospital technicians. Essential workers are people who can be looked at as a role model, she said.
A Georgetown University study found that college students who mix education and work are common. The 2015 study reported that more than 70 percent of students also are in the work force. In 2018, a similar Georgetown study found that out of 155 million employed workers in the U.S., 14 million are college students. Officials speculate more college students will seek jobs because of the extra time allowed with remote, synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Jonathan Dillard, a student at Prince George’s Community College in Largo who works 20 hours a week at TGI Fridays in Bowie, also finds being an essential worker a bit unusual.
“Being an essential worker to me is kind of weird,” said Dillard, a social work major who sharpens his verbal communication skills while working as a waiter. “I know how dangerous COVID-19 is, but it still feels like a normal work day besides everyone wearing a mask.”
Dillard said customers seem to have a new respect for workers at his job.
“I have guests tip me more at the restaurant and say ‘thank you for being here,’” Dillard said. “Everyone seems more understanding and appreciative of my services now than ever before.”
When colleges closed campuses and forced classes onto the Internet, students quickly realized they have more time on their hands since they don’t have to leave home to walk or drive to campus. Some business owners and restaurant managers jumped at the opportunity to encourage student-workers to assist more in certain services and duties.
“Having all the help we can get from people who are able to work, and execute the proper protocols to keep the work environment as safe as possible is simply essential to keeping our doors open,” said store leader Joel Bowie at GameStop’s Bowie Town Center.
Bowie said that a new release of next generation gaming systems is on the way in November and stores like his will be busier than usual. He said having college students who have more time on their hands is vital for the store’s overall success in the coming weeks.
“Availability plays a major role in our staffing right now, especially with the holidays and such big releases like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 systems,” Bowie said.
Having extra time is good but McLain said COVID-19 has limited resources to complete her college projects. For example, most libraries are closed or have limited hours.
“I do find it easier to have a successful work life with online classes instead of in-person, but I often have assignments that need to get done, and that are pretty difficult to do without the proper materials that the school would usually provide,” McLain said.
Dillard had a different perspective.
“Being an essential worker and online student is way easier than normal classes,” he said. “Normally, I would need to go to work and classes five days a week, and now I work around four days a week and never have to leave my house for school.”
2 Comments
Great article, I guess you never know how valuable you are at your job until someone brings it to your attention. For most of us, it’s our job, our way to survive though these unpredictable times, it’s something we must do on a daily to provide. Looking from the outside in, we are all extraordinary so to speak, because we are there when people need us most and don’t even realize it. Thanks to all of our Frontline workers, from Game Stop, Grocery Clerks to the EMT’s and Hospital Staff! You are our Heroes, you bring a calming effect in this storm we all face. God Bless, stay safe and hold your head high! We salute you all!
This is a very good and enlightening article. The pandemic has affected so many people in different ways. Juggling College and working a job under normal circumstances is difficult. I applaud and thank everyone working essential jobs during these unpresented times. Thank you for writing this article pray everyone stays healthy and safe.