By Eva Sanchez

There are a lot of full-time and part-time students at the University of Maryland that are also employed. Whether it be a full-time or part-time job, many students are dedicating half of their time to work and half of their time to school. Jay Raje, a senior double majoring in information systems and operations management business analytics, is one of these students. 

“Being a student and working is fun because I’m not just stuck doing homework all the time. I have another avenue,” Raje said. “It provides a totally different dimension to the student experience.”

Raje works as event support at the Stamp Student Union and is also a bartender at The Hall CP, all while managing his two majors. Due to the pandemic, his work experience has changed and, in some ways, for the better. 

“We’re doing a lot less than we used to do,” Raje said of his job at Stamp. 

Normally, Raje would help set up tables and chairs for any Stamp events but, with the lack of in-person events, his normal workflow has been altered. Although the pandemic has affected both of his working environments, Raje speaks highly about both of his experiences: “I love both of my jobs a lot.”  

“I actually find myself with more time,” Raje said. “It’s actually more manageable to work two jobs. It definitely does get stressful sometimes, when I have assignments due and stuff, but luckily I’m pretty good with managing my school work.” 

Raje also finds that his hectic schedule adds structure to his week. 

“I think that having a busier schedule makes you more productive because your free time is a little bit more meaningful,” he said. “There are days when I have nothing to do, I have no job, no school work and I’m the laziest on those days when, in theory, I should be doing more.” 

Although Raje has become a pro with his time management skills, sometimes conflicts will arise that are hard to plan around. 

“There are times where I have a shift and I have a midterm the next day and the other people who are bartending can’t take the shift, then there will be some kind of conflict of interest, but then you kind of have to work around it.” Raje said. 

Raje emphasized the importance of being diligent with your time when trying to balance work and school, especially figuring out what days are needed to be dedicated to studying for midterms. But overall, Raje said that there are more positives than negatives of being a full-time student and employee. 

Raje also offered some sage advice for any students thinking about applying for a job.

“I think there’s a lot of fear for people who are like, ‘I don’t know if I should do the job because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get my schoolwork done,’” Raje said. “But once you put yourself in that position, you will figure out a way to do it.”

Featured photo: UMD student and employee Jay Raje stands outside of one of his places of work, The Hall CP. Eva Sanchez/Stories Beneath the Shell