Afectación a las oportunidades laborales y académicas de los estudiantes de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de Cuenca que estudian y trabajan, periodo académico septiembre 2024- febrero 2025

Abstract

University students who work during their studies are immersed in labor and academic tensions. This dual responsibility significantly influences both their labor and academic opportunities, leading them to seek various strategies to efficiently fulfill both activities. This study aims to explain how the labor and academic opportunities of fifth and seventh-cycle students from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Cuenca are affected by their decision to study and work simultaneously. The research employed a qualitative approach with exploratory-descriptive scope, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper understanding of students' opinions and arguments. Additionally, a focus group was conducted to further explore the information obtained from the interviews. The results identified the strategies employed by students to manage their time, as well as the positive and negative impacts on both labor and academic spheres. Furthermore, it highlighted the opportunities available to university students who choose to study and work concurrently. Engaging in both activities allows students to integrate what they learn in the classroom with practical work experience, enriching their educational journey.