By Jacey Fortin

The 2002 report released by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Higher Education Project entitled “At What Cost?” identifies the negative effects employment has on college students.

Drawing from a survey of approximately 50,000 undergraduates, PIRG reports that “the more students work, the more likely they are to report negative effects of employment on their grades and overall college education. Students who work 25 or more hours per week are twice as likely to indicate that working has a negative impact on various aspects of their academic experience.”

While the report focused on those who worked 25 or more hours a week, the survey also reveals some surprising results concerning students who worked fewer than 25 hours. Of those who worked between one and 24 hours a week, about half of them reported no effect on grades, and more than a quarter even reported positive results some Northeastern students pointed out.

Northeastern students point out that having a work schedule forces them to manage their time more efficiently.

“The busier I am, the better time management I have, which helps me to get things done,” said Hanna Brewer, a sophomore Spanish and elementary education major.

Brewer worked at a nearby Pizzeria Uno’s, where she typically put in about 20 hours a week.

“My best school semesters are when I’m busy with other things,” Brewer said.

Nick Lamplough, a sophomore communications major, agrees.

“It’s all about time management skills,” he said, adding that working as a cook at Bertucci’s had no ill effect on his academics.

So, why are the nation’s working college students having such a hard time? The PIRG article blames heavy student workloads on “rising college costs and the failure of financial aid to keep pace.”

Financial aid might be the reason that Northeastern students, compared to those at other colleges, seem to have an easier time managing work and classes. The Princeton Review, an objective online report on colleges nationwide, reports that the percentage of Northeastern undergraduates receiving need-based aid is 63 percent, as compared to just 46 percent for Boston University, 42 percent for Boston College and 46 percent for UMass Boston. Northeastern also offers 30 different merit scholarship programs, a work-study program and the added income of co-op. With these bonuses, students here are less likely to have to put in long hours.

“I got a decent amount of money from the school, so I only had to use about half of my work money for tuition,” Lamplough said.

Brewer also had some scholarship money, so she didn’t need to sacrifice too much time on her job.

According to the study, balancing a part-time job with academics can work out, just with the right amount of each and time management skills.