An assessment of the work student study program of Central Philippine University: Basis for enhancing the program

Abstract

This is a quantitative descriptive study which utilized a one-shot survey design using a questionnaire made by the researcher. The respondents of the study were 183 work students of Central Philippine University assigned to different areas such as Janitorial services, Library, Clerical, and Service and Laboratories obtained through stratified random sampling. The 47 work student alumni were obtained through convenience sampling. Total population sampling enumeration was proposed for the work student supervisors but after a long wait and follow up; only 71 were reached. It comprised 62.28% of the target respondents. The study aims to assess the Work Student Study Program of Central Philippine University for AY 2011 - 2018 which will serve a basis for enhancing the program. Generally, the work students are in their 20s, female, single and assigned as Clerical Student Assistant (CSA). The alumni are in their late 20s, female, single, graduated between the year 2012 to 2017 and assigned as Clerical Student Assistant (CSA). The supervisors are in their 40s, female, married and assigned in academic departments. The work student alumni are employed as office staff/secretary, project employee and administrative staff with 7 mean monthly family income of P18,415.44. In general, the study revealed that the economic condition of the work student alumni changed from a working student to a self-reliant professional. Work Student Study Program (WSSP) is able to provide opportunities for work students to be more employable upon graduation, achieve their career goals and have a permanent/stable job. It is consistent with the goals and objectives of the program which is to enable an individual to achieve his/her goal through moral and financial support. It has improved to a large extent the ability of the work students and alumni towards their relationship to God, country, school, and family and is able to develop the ability of the work students to get along well with others, improve their willingness to work hard on all job assigned and orderliness and neatness. The Work Student Study Program (WSSP) has provided opportunities to develop the work-related qualities of the work students and alumni to prepare them in facing challenges in life. Availment of the WSSP was a primary reason of work students for enrolling in Central Philippine University (CPU). The gap between paying the work students and the minimum salary of rank and file employees can be considered as savings on the part of the university. It can be used to increase the benefits of the work students in support of the desire of the university to give the opportunity for poor but deserving students to receive an Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL) by working through college and not used as a basis in hiring work students to replace regular employees.