Bermudian students are discovering that they can earn more money pumping gas or laying concrete blocks than pursuing their careers.

Shawn, a 24-year-old Bermudian studying computer science, returned home to earn money this summer so he can afford to pay his university tuition.

Although this is his third year of study, he has had no real work experience in his chosen field to boost his resume or to gain an important headstart in his career.

Instead, Shawn has spent the past several summers working at construction jobs, earning upward of $750 per week.

He earns enough money to continue his studies -- but at what cost to his career? Bermudian summer students may be encountering a catch-22 in their career development -- torn between gaining work experience in their respective fields and making enough money to pay their school fees.

Several students complained they cannot earn enough money working in jobs relevant to their studies in science and the humanities, and instead spend their summers as bartenders and busboys.

But they fear they will be at a disadvantage after receiving their qualifications because of the strong emphasis placed on field experience in the local work force.

Department of Labour and Training Vocational Officer Andre Wilkin admitted that a gap existed between career goals and summertime work experience.

"We try to match up students' expressed interest with the job vacancies that are available, but to date it has not been a managed procedure,'' he said.

"We haven't incorporated the summer employment programme with career counselling programmes,'' he added.

And Mr. Wilkin admitted there were no plans at present to do so.

"Much of the matching up is being done on an individual basis by different employers such as Belco, the (Government) Ministries, and the banks through career drives,'' he stated.

High school students participating in the Government employment scheme are paid $200 per week for five weeks and university students are paid $300 per week for eight weeks.

However, a student working at a gas station can expect to make at least $500 a week -- working at $7 an hour plus an average of $50 in tips per day.

And one student gas station worker admitted that he pumped gas to be able to afford his school fees, saying the wages provided by Government Employment were not enough.

Although the local job market is partially to blame, the decisions of the students often play a role.

Students face jobs dilemma Department of Labour and Training Manager Naomi Schroter suggested that opportunities for gaining relevant experience are sometimes rejected by book-weary students.

"In most instances we try to match them up, but many students didn't want that,'' said Mrs. Schroter.

She said when a student had an intensive semester of concentrated indoor studying, they often opted for unrelated, active summer positions such as being a park ranger.

The Royal Gazette contacted Labour Minister Maxwell Burgess for comments on whether the low summer wages received in professional jobs effectively placed Bermudian students at a disadvantage in a local job market that emphasises experience.

Mr. Burgess responded: "Internships are often acquired at a price -- in fields like medicine and accounting in particular.

"But it's the bigger picture that students and young professionals are encouraged to see.

"Traditionally, jobs such as pumping gas and the like pay more in the early stages, but professional jobs pay much more in the long haul.

"Students may do this to help them get through school, but it's our hope that they will use these jobs as a stepping stone to get where they're trying to go,'' he stated.

PAYING HIS WAY -- Student Cranston Warren, 18, is working construction this summer to pay his college tuition.

Graphic file name: STUDCONS