The Impact of Working Part Time on UiTM Puncak Alam Students
Prepared by: ARIEFATUL TAHIRAH BINTI MD SIRAT 2013197271 NUR SYAHIRAH BINTI LUKMAN 2013177943 NUR AZUREEN BINTI SAMSURI 2013192443
Prepared for: Mrs. Kiranjeet Kaur Dhillon English Lecturer for Report Writing (EWC661) UiTMPuncakAlam
25 May 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table Of Contents
i
List Of Tables And Figures
ii
Acknowledgement
iii
Terms Of Reference
iv
Abstract
v
1.0
Introduction
1
2.0
Methodology
3
3.0
Findings
4
4.0
Conclusions
12
5.0
Recommendations
13
Appendix
i
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Figure 3.1 The involvement in part time work and the reasons.
4
Table 3.1 The involvement of the respondents in the type of occupation for part-time work.
5
Table 3.2 Working place as a part-time worker
5
Figure 3.2 The percentage of respondents on their normal working hours as a part-time worker
6
Figure 3.3 The current range of CGPA while working parttime
7
Table 3.3 The amount of hours used to study in a day
7
Figure 3.4 Problems faced when part-time workers worked overtime
8
Figure 3.5 Ways the part-time workers overcame their academic problems
9
Figure 3.6 The percentage of money spent on things
10
Figure 3.7 Experiences gained from working part-time.
10
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
There are several kind-hearted individuals who had always helped us in completing this report for the EWC 601 course. First and foremost we would like to thank our EWC 661 lecturer, Mrs. Kiranjeet Kaur Dhillon for her comments, wise advise and guidance in the preparation of this report. We are also grateful to have our helpful classmates because they were always there to help us in sharing different opinions and feedback that gave us some improvements in completing this report. We also would like to voice out our appreciation to all the respondents of our research. And not to forget the most important, which is our family, for their support in terms of moral and also for finance during the preparation of this report. Without all of these commitments and support, this report would not have materialized.
iii
TERMS OF REFERENCE
On 23rd of March 2015, Ariefatul Tahirah binti Md Sirat, Nur Syahirah binti Lukman and Nur Azureen binti Samsuri from the Faculty of Business Management, UiTM Puncak Alam were instructed by Mrs. Kiranjeet Kaur Dhillon, the Report Writing lecturer (EWC 601) to write a report on the Impact of working part time on UiTM Puncak Alam students and to submit it on 25th of May 2015.
iv
ABSTRACT
Most of the students nowadays are working part time while studying in the universities to supplement their finances. Many of the students in UiTM Puncak Alam are also working part time to support their financial situation while studying. Thus a study is conducted to determine the impact of working part time on the students. The objectives include to determine the reasons UiTM Puncak Alam students work part time, investigate the effects of working part time while studying in the university and identify the advantages of working part time for the future while studying. It was found that 58% of the respondents worked to increase their own finances with 40% working as a designer or freelancer and 34% working from home. Apart from that 48% of them overcame their academic problems by preparing a schedule for their studies and 34% of the respondents gained more knowledge from their work. Working part time did not have any effects on the majority of the respondents as they were able to maintain a CGPA of between 3.2 and 3.5 probably because they spent 3 – 4 hours on their studies in a day and they prepared a schedule for their studies. It is recommended that students should work part time in order to increase their soft skills and increase their confidence.
v
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Most of the students in University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Puncak Alam need to earn cash to support themselves while they complete their degrees. Students working part-time will get more experience which will help them in their future permanent jobs. If a student manages to find a job that has things related to his course in the university, he is lucky because he can learn more about the job. Working part time while studying in UiTM Puncak Alam has been put forward as a problem and the effects on students’ educational achievements need to be investigated. Working part time can improve or help students to develop particular personal characteristics including responsibility, time management and better achievements in their studies and CGPA. Students can learn to be responsible and they have to come to work on time depending on their working hours a day. In addition, students can learn to value money. It will make them realize that it takes a lot of time and effort to make a better living, and this experience will help them to be confident in life.
1.2 Problem statement
With the increasing cost of living in Malaysia, it is not surprising that working part time has become a necessity for university students. Students need the money to pay their house rent, food and household bills, education, and lifestyle. These students who work part time may encounter problems with their academic. Thus this study is aimed to determine the reasons UiTM Puncak Alam students work and the problems faced if any.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study are as follows:
To determine the reasons UiTM Puncak Alam students work part time.
To investigate the effects of working part time while studying in university.
To identify the advantage of working part time for the future while studying.
1
1.4 Significance of the study
This study is conducted for students, lecturers and management of UiTM Puncak Alam so that they are able to determine the reasons, the effects and the advantages of UiTM Puncak Alam students working part time while studying. The potential benefits that it would bring are students can be exposed to how they manage their time and finances. This study is necessary because the respondents can learn how to manage their time and finances wisely and it is necessary to know whether their working time affects their performance in the UiTM. This research is important to students because they need to manage their time to complete their assignments. It is also important to lecturers to know how well their students perform academically and whether it will bring a good or bad impact.
1.5 Scope and Limitations
The study involves 50 respondents who are UiTM Puncak Alam students from various faculties and the instrument used to obtain data is a questionnaire. The limitations faced include difficulty to find respondents who have a part time job as many of them have their own business; lack of time in finding respondents as they are barely in campus; difficult to obtain the feedback from the questionnaire as they are around at odd times, and finally misunderstanding the questions asked.
2
2.0 METHODOLOGY
2.1 Research Instrument Used
The instrument used to collect the data was a questionnaire. This tool was used to survey the impact of students working part time while studying in UiTM Puncak Alam.
The
questionnaire had 14 questions and elicited information such as reasons they worked, any problems faced and how they overcame them.
2.2 Research Respondents
The respondents were 50 UiTM Puncak Alam students from various faculties. There were 20 male and 30 female respondents. 31 respondents were aged between 23 – 27 years old, 18 were between 18 – 22 years old and 1 was between of 28 – 32 years old. 34 respondents were from the Faculty of Art and Design, 9 were from the Faculty of Business Management, 5 were from the Faculty of Health Science 2 were from the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism.
2.3 Research Procedure
Fifty questionnaires were distributed to respondents from the various faculties on Thursday, 9th April 2015 at UiTM, Puncak Alam. The respondents were students who were working part time while studying. The respondents were given one week to answer the questionnaire. All the respondents answered the questionnaires.
2.4 Data Analysis
The data were analysed from frequency count into percentages. They were then transferred to suitable tables and charts.
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3.0 FINDINGS
3.1 Reasons for working part time
The reasons why they work part time 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Yes
No
Help family increases finances
Increase my finances and savings
Yes/No
As a hobby
To gain experience
Reaseon
Figure 3.1 The involvement in part time work and the reasons The entire fifty respondents or 100% worked part-time. The main reason for working part time as shown in Figure 3.1 was to increase their own finances with 58% of them agreeing to this. The second reason was to gain experience with 24%, followed by to help their family increase their finances with 8% and finally as a hobby with 4%.
3.2 Loans 58% of the respondents had taken a loan from Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN).
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3.2 Types of Occupation
Table 3.1 The involvement of the respondents in the type of occupation for part-time work Occupation
Percentage (%)
Designer/ Freelancer
40
Barista
18
Cashier
14
Office Assistant (Skim Khidmat Pelajar)
8
Photographer
6
Waiter
6
Part-time volunteer
4
Promoter
1
Barber
1
40% of the respondents worked as a designer or a freelancer. 18% of them worked as barista, 14% as a cashier, 8% as an office assistant at Skim Khidmat Pelajar and 6% worked as a photographer and waiter respectively. Besides that, 4% of respondents worked as a part-time volunteer in events and only 1% worked as a promoter and barber respectively. 3.3 Place of work Table 3.2 Working place as a part-time worker Place
Percentage (%)
Home
34
Cafe
30
Anywhere (Not Fixed)
16
Office
6
Shopping Mall
4
Fast Food Restaurant
4
Gallery
2
34% or majority of the respondents worked from their home while 30% worked at a café, 16% worked in several paces which were not fixed because it depended on their jobs, 6% worked at an office and 4% worked at shopping malls and fast food restaurants respectively. Besides that, only 2% of them worked at a gallery.
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3.4 Working Hours
Normal Working Hours 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Weekdays
Weekends
Not Fixed Hours
3-5 hours
6-8 hours
9-11 hours
12-14 hours
Hours/Days
Figure 3.2 The percentage of respondents on their normal working hours as a part-time worker 34% from the respondents have a normal duration of working hours which is 6 until 8 hours. 18% of them worked on weekdays when they had free time, 16% did not have a fixed time, 14% worked 3 to 5 hours, 8% worked on weekends and 9 to 11 hours respectively, while the rest 2% worked 12 until 14 hours in a day.
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3.5 Effects on CGPA
Effects on their performance (CGPA) 2%
12%
6%
22%
58%
2.0 - 2.3
2.4 - 2.7
2.8 - 3.1
3.2 - 3.5
Above 3.5
Figure 3.3 The current range of CGPA while working part-time. 58% of the respondents had a CGPA ranging from 3.2 to 3.5; 22 % of them had a CGPA ranging from 2.8 to 3.1; 12% had a CGPA of above 3.5; 6% had a CGPA ranging from 2.4 to 2.7 and only 2% had a CGPA ranging from 2.0 to 2.3
3.5 Amount of hours spent on studies Table 3.3 The amount of hours used to study in a day Hours
Percentage (%)
1 – 2 hours
34
3 -4 hours
54
5-6 hours
12
54% of the respondents spent between 3 and 4 hours to study in a day, while 34% spent between 1 and 2 hours and 12 % spent between 5 and 6 hours.
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3.6 Involvement in university activities or societies Most of them or 68% were not involved in any university activity or society compared to 32% who joined university activity or society. These included the Association Event Management Students (AEMS) Society, Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Kolej (JPK), Sekretariat Mahasiswa Fakulti (SMF), PSSLM, Student Representative Council (MPP) and Skim Khidmat Pelajar (SKP).
3.7 Problems faced when working over time
Problems faced when working overtime 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Not enough time to Not enough time to complete sleep assignments
Stress
Emotional distress
Others
Types of Probems
Figure 3.4 Problems faced when part-time workers worked overtime. The main problems faced when the respondents worked overtime were 48% did not have enough time to sleep and 20% were stressed. Besides that, 12% of them did not have enough time to complete their assignments and 16% said others which included did not have enough social time with family and friends or they did not have any problems when working overtime. Finally, 4% of them were emotionally distressed.
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3.8 Ways to overcome academic problems faced
How to overcome the problems faced 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Prepare a schedule Do not procastinate
Meet lecturer frequently
Get help from friends/classmates
Others
Types of problems overcome
Figure 3.5 Ways the part-time workers overcame their academic problems 48% of the respondents overcame their academic problems by preparing a schedule for their studies while 30% of them got help from family or classmates. Besides that, only 14% of them overcame the problems by not procrastinating followed by 6% who would meet their lecturers frequently while the rest 2% remained positive.
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3.9 Money Spent
Money Spent 14% 26% On family On lifestyle On studies 38%
On savings
22%
Figure 3.6 The percentage of money spent on things 38% or the majority of the respondents spent their money on their lifestyle while 26% saved their money for the future. 22% of them spent their money on studies and the rest 14% spent it on their family. 3.10 Experience gained from working part time
Experience gained from working part time 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Self confidence More knowledge and communication
Gain new experience
Make friends
Good in manage Leadership and finances entrepreneur opportunities
Types of experience gained
Figure 3.7 Experiences gained from working part-time. 10
34% of the respondents gained more knowledge from their work while 26% of them gained experience in leadership and entrepreneur opportunities. This was followed by 20% who gained new experience, 16% who gained self-confidence and communication and 2% who gained experience by making new friends and becoming good in managing their finances respectively.
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4.0 CONCLUSION
The following are the conclusions of this study:
The main reason for working part time was to supplement the respondents’ income.
The majority of the respondents worked as a designer or freelancer for 6 to 8 hours and they mainly worked from home.
Working part time did not have any effects on the majority of the respondents as they were able to maintain a CGPA of between 3.2 and 3.5 probably because they spent 3 – 4 hours on their studies in a day and they prepared a schedule for their studies.
The majority of the respondents gained more knowledge from working part time as well as experiencing leadership and entrepreneur opportunities
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5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are the recommendations why students should work part time as provided by those who were working part time: 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Become more Able to handle Increase soft matured finances skills
Increase confidence
Able to Able to work in communicate a team with others easily
Others
Suggestions
Students should work part time to increase their soft skills and increase their confidence.
Students should work part time to make them able to handle their finances, able to communicate with others easily and able to work in a team.
Students should work part time to make them become more matured.
Students should work part time to make them able to manage their time in studies and life.
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Appendix Sample Questionnaire We are from students of Bachelor of Event Management in semester four. We are conducting a survey entitled Working part time while studying in University and the effects on students’ performance. We appreciate if you could answer the following questions in this questionnaire. Thank you. Gender Male
Female
Age 18 – 22 years 23 – 27 years 28 – 32 years Above 33 years Marital status Single Married
Faculty: __________________________ 1)
Do you work part-time? Yes
2)
No
What is the main reason you work part time while studying? (Tick only once) Help family increase finances Increase my finances and savings As a hobby Gain experience Others: _______ (please specify)
3)
Do you have any loans? Yes
4)
5)
6)
No (If YES, please state the type of loan: _______________)
What do you work as in your part time job? __________________________________________________ Where do you work? __________________________________________________ What are your normal working hours? __________________________________________________
7)
What is your current CGPA? 2.0 – 2.3 2.4 – 2.7 2.8 – 3.1 3.2 – 3.5 Above 3.5
8)
How long do you take to study in a day? (Tick only once) 1 – 2 hours 3 – 4 hours 5 – 6 hours More than 6 hours
9)
Are you involved in any university activity/society? Yes
No
What kind of activity/society? ________________________ 10)
What are the problems faced when working overtime? Not enough time to complete assignments Not enough time to sleep Stress Emotional distress Others: please specify _________________________
11)
How do you overcome the problem faced? Prepare a schedule Do not procrastinate Meet lecturer frequently Get help from friends/classmates Others: ____________________________________
12)
Where do you spend your income on which is obtained from working part time? On family On lifestyle On studies On savings
13)
14)
What are the experiences gained from this occupation? _______________________________ Please give suggestions on why students should work part time? (Tick 2 options) Become more matured Able to handle finances Increase soft skills Increase confidence Able to communicate with others easily Able to work in a team Others: ______________________________
