The Impact of COVID-19 on the Present and Future for College Students
By: Isabella DiAmore
At first, it was upsetting getting kicked off of campus and finishing the remainder of the semester online. Students had to learn in a different atmosphere, and it wasn’t easy. Now with the school year coming to an end, we can pat ourselves on the back and take pride in how we have overcome this difficult transition.
Photo from Temple University, prior to campus closure.
Temple University did what was best for the students and faculty regarding our health. Our professors took the time to learn how to use technology in a different way and still tried to remain a useful outlet for students.
I soon realized it was not the university that was the so-called “problem” when it came to the financial burdens and lost job opportunities we were all suddenly struck with––it was what our age bracket was classified as in the eyes of the government, which is a “college student.”
On March 27, the U.S. government passed a $2 trillion stimulus package. According to CNN Politics, “Individuals who earn $75,000 in adjusted gross income or less would get direct payments of $1,200 each, with married couples earning up to $150,000 receiving $2,400–and an additional $500 per each child.”
OK, so now we know the basics of this package; however, where does that leave those of us who are between the ages of 17 and 24 ?
For someone who works two jobs and is a full-time student, I never thought my eligibility to qualify for the stimulus check would be a problem. Unfortunately, the stimulus check does not allow those over the age of 17, who are claimed as a dependent on their parent’s tax return, to be considered a recipient of the package.
Those who are not claimed as a dependent are eligible, but only if they meet all of the requirements to receive a stimulus check.
Business closures have impacted a wide variety of the demographics across the United States. Some of those lost jobs include part-time college workers.
Shay Strawser, a sophomore marketing major, is a full-time student at Temple University, but also worked part-time at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Center City.
“I worked part-time, anywhere from 10 to 18 hours weekly,” said Strawser. “I worked most of my hours on the weekend, but had a few weeknight shifts for dinner.”
Strawser took on more financial responsibilities and had less assistance from her family when she started college.
“I got a part-time job in order to save money to pay for various expenses including rent/utilities, tuition, and groceries. I support myself financially, so getting a part-time job was a necessity for me,” Strawser said.
Once the pandemic occurred, Strawser had no idea how powerful it would be and how it could affect her school and work life.
“As COVID-19 spread quickly through the United States, I definitely began to fear for my health, well-being, and safety,” Strawser said. “It is a unique and shocking situation, especially for us college students.”
As for the concerns for her job, Strawser realized the adjustments she would have to make.
“The usual bi-weekly paychecks and extra tip money allowed me to pay my various monthly expenses and save for my tuition payment in the fall,” Strawser said. “Not being able to work has made my simple monthly payments a struggle, and now I wonder how I am going to pay my tuition in the fall.”
Strawser also looked into any kind of compensation she could receive during this difficult time.
“We were all under the impression, or had high hopes, that restaurants, along with other businesses, would be open by mid-April,” Strawser said. “When I first found out about not being able to work, I initially did not have many concerns because I thought I could file for unemployment, and/or receive the stimulus from the government. But as a college student, I was completely left out of these funds. Due to not working enough hours and being a dependent college student, I did not receive any money from the government. Personally, this has been probably the most frustrating aspect to the pandemic.”
However, Strawser remains positive and knows that even with the financial struggles we will all get through this.
“Although this situation is troubling, unique, and something we have never faced before, I am approaching the situation with positivity and a smile. I share my prayers, my peace, and my many smiles with the Temple community. I am so proud to be a Temple Owl,” Strawser said.
Not only are part-time workers being affected by this, but current seniors––who have spent the past four or five years working toward their degree––are now dealing with the fear of not being able to get a job.
Jaime Wouters, a media studies and production major at Temple, is graduating amid the pandemic. For Wouters, there were certain moments of her senior year she realized she would not be able to have.
“I was not able to host my last radio show at WHIP because of this and was not able to have a final meeting with Rho Lambda, the leadership sorority on campus that I am Vice President of,” said Wouters.
Besides not having a proper goodbye to the organizations she was involved in, her current concern is being able to find a job upon graduating.
Photo by Belo Rio Studio on Unsplash
“A lot of the companies I was looking at in Philadelphia stopped hiring once this pandemic hit, which was very frustrating for me because I was not sure when they would start hiring again,” Wouters said. “I’m just concerned I won’t be able to find a job because I don’t know when people are actually going back to work.”
Despite the uncertainty of the future, Wouters has been trying to keep a positive mindset during her time at home.
“Right now to stay positive I’ve just been doing a daily job scan on LinkedIn to see who is hiring and talking to friends about if they’ve heard of any positions,” Wouters said. “I’ve been meditating and doing yoga for some stability during this time.”
Wouters also gave her own advice to the spring graduating class of 2020.
“I would say that everyone is just as worried, even employers, so try not to worry too hard. Just get those applications in, and reach out to people on LinkedIn about the company so you can network and have those connections later on in the future,” Wouters said.
The uncertainty of the future is a large component to add on to the stress for college students, but whether you are a part-time worker or a current graduate in search of a job, don’t feel like you are alone because we will get through this together.
Cover Photo Courtesy of Temple University.