Working 9 to 5: Emerson College students on how they balance work, school, and social life
December 2019
Writing and graphics by Sam Goodman
It was best said by Dolly Parton in her role as Doralee in the Blockbuster movie 9 to 5: “Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition...Workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’.”
For the working class of the world, it is the ultimate struggle to hit that alarm clock morning after morning, resist the urge to slap the snooze button, and take on the day, whatever that may mean for them. For American college students, hopping out of bed means juggling heavy coursework, managing a busy social life, and finding the funding for that social life and coursework. Sending out job applications is the inevitable for many college students.
Lexi Foultz (‘20), age 22, Kyle Bracco (‘23), age 19, and Allyson Rosche (‘23), age 18, are Emerson College students who balance busy work schedules, college classes, and social lives. They’re the smiling faces making your morning fuel at Dunkin’. They scoop your popcorn and rip your tickets at the movie theater. They fold clothes at local boutiques and prepare your meals at the drive through. These students are the behind the scenes of the typical American’s day who have to find the balance between making money and maintaining a livable schedule.
Lexi Foultz
Trapology Boston
“I got the job because school is expensive and it pays for my living expenses…My job is to give people the escape room story line, the rules…and then after they play I walk them through the room and show them the things they missed…. Sometimes the they’re sore losers. It’s an entertainment business so you get people who aren’t entertained…and they take it out on you…They think the escape room proves their dumb which is ridiculous…Some people’s
“I have no personal time, it’s nonexistent...but I love my job.”
egos get crushed…Sometimes we brainstorm new room concepts or [I] work on new scripts…I wish I was more present in game development. I am a Visual Media Arts major with a focus on writing...so I like this job because there are elements of story in it…I don’t dread going to work because it’s a reprieve [from school]. I have no personal time, it’s nonexistent but I try not to get in the mindset of ‘it’s so overwhelming I can’t find time.’...Challenge yourself to be a student and have a job because it’s going to teach you how to manage your time. It’s going to get harder as college progresses,” Foultz said.
Kyle Bracco
Dunkin’ Donuts
“You could call me a barista…that sounds cool…I got the job because I...wanted extra pocket money. I sleep in ‘till 5:30 a.m., start at 6, work the register, make lattes, get donuts… When it gets busy I’ll either be taking orders or making coffee or gross sausage sandwiches…I wish I could say that I’m surprised the food is gross but, no…It’s just frozen sausage patties on English muffins…I don’t really like coffee but the donuts are fire…A large perk of the job is I get free
“I sleep in ‘till 5:30 a.m...[then] make gross sausage sandwiches.”
everything when I’m working…I don’t like waking up early and people are so rude…I’m sorry your vanilla chai isn’t hot enough. Don’t order a vanilla chai…It’s gross…It’s sugar and milk. But, I like meeting people…it’s interesting the characters you see… Also, I have no emotional investment in Dunkin’ but now I feel weird about going to Starbucks...It was easy to get a job. They want to hire college students…I was worried about time management but...if I thought it was affecting my school, I would quit. If you’re doing it for extra money, don’t if you think it will negatively affect your life,” Bracco said.
Allyson Rosche
Flock Boutique
“I got the job because I wanted money…I definitely need it...I open up the shop...restock, which is a harder process thank you would think...make sure everything looks nice...(they really stress perfection), and give advice on what looks good. Some people want help with what they should get when they try stuff on… That’s my favorite part, when people ask what looks good…I like to see what [clothes] people put together versus what I would put together…I
“Don’t be mean to [retail] workers, we want to make sure you look your best.”
really like meeting [customers]. When there are a lot of people in the store I get stressed out with being a good customer service person. I thought the people might be snooty considering the price range but it’s very much a neighborhood store...Don’t be mean to [retail] workers, we just want to make sure you look your best...Don’t be afraid to ask us questions…That’s when I get to know people…Apply to as many jobs as you can and to find a balance, make a list of all the things you need to get done…If you don’t need the job and you’re stressed, don’t do it,” Rosche said.