THE RISE AND FALL OF WORKING STUDENTS AMIDST COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The researchers aim to identify the different underlying struggles to the working students when the covid-19 became a pandemic that resulted into lockdowns and shutdown of different educational institution. Qualitative approach is being used in this research in which involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It is applicable to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. We have ten (10) participants which are all qualified to be one. We the researchers formulated an virtual interview anchored on the research questions. We gathered themes, and sub-themes through Thematic Content Analysis which assist the descriptive qualitative data presentation. The two major themes are the struggles of the working students and coping mechanisms. The sub-themes are financial struggle, time management, resilient working student, personal strength, and family as a support network. Majority of the respondents had experienced financial and time management struggle during the covid-19 pandemic. The majority of them also reiterated that their source of motivation is their family. With all the challenges they have encountered, they remained motivated through the help of their different support system like their family. Hence, the study demonstrates the struggles as part of the process of a working student. KEYWORDS: the rise and fal, working students, amidst covid-19 pandemic