THE IMPACT OF STUDENT EMPLOYMENT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

In the context of shifting priorities in higher education towards the development of transversal skills and flexible career pathways, the phenomenon of student employment has gained significant relevance, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its impact on academic outcomes. The study aims to identify the effects of student employment on the academic performance and learning process of students. The empirical base consists of data from a questionnaire survey of students at the Volgograd Institute of Management (a branch) of RANEPA (N=150). Data analysis revealed that the majority of respondents (58,8 %) work in jobs unrelated to their field of study. At the same time, about half of the surveyed students (48,6 %) demonstrate effective strategies for combining work and study, while for 20,0 %, employment creates significant barriers. Key negative effects identified include schedule conflicts and declining academic performance: one in three students (34,3 %) regularly faces the dilemma of choosing between attending work or university, and almost half (48,5 %) have academic arrears. To mitigate these educational risks, the authors propose a set of support measures for working students, including monitoring of this student group, psychological and pedagogical support, and the individualization of the learning process.