At Work in School: Part-Time Employment among Second-Level Students

School and teachers have expressed concern about the number of students who have a paid job while at school. However, little is known about the nature of employment among second-level students in Ireland. How many students work? What are their motivations for working? What kinds of jobs do they do? What do they spend their incomes on? What effects does working part-time have on their exam performance? Does working part-time help young people get a job after they leave school? AT WORK IN SCHOOL draws on surveys of second-level students and of school leavers to answer these questions. It explores the nature of student employment and its impact on a range of student outcomes, including school drop-out, exam performance, participation in higher education and early labour market careers. It highlights key policy issues which are of relevance not only to schools and employers but to students and their parents.