Transforming Student Work Hours into Research Insights
For University of Wisconsin-River Falls psychology students Desirea Szabla and Justin Gasparas, research is more than an academic requirement. It’s a passion that has shaped their career goals and personal growth.
Desirea, a senior from Stillwater, Minn., and Justin, a sophomore from Florence, are both majoring in psychology with an emphasis in industrial and organizational psychology. Their research explores the impact of work hours on student well-being and study efficiency. Significant results were found, showing that students who work more than 20 hours per week experience a notable decline in study efficiency.
“That may seem like common sense, but numbers are needed to support the findings,” Desirea said. “It’s important data for students and university administrators to consider.”
The project stems from their own experiences as student workers. Desirea and Justin, who both work on campus, found that being in an academic environment helped them take their studies more seriously.
“We’re looking at weekday versus weekend work hours, time of day and other factors,” Justin said. “Research takes you in unexpected directions, and that’s what makes it exciting.”
The pair presented their research at the Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (URSCA) Fall Gala in December.
“At first, I was really anxious about presenting,” Justin said. “But once I started talking, I realized how much I enjoyed it. Now I can’t wait to do more.”
Next, the duo’s work will take them to Research in the Rotunda in Madison, and the Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago. These opportunities will not only strengthen their confidence in presenting but also play a key role in shaping their career aspirations.
Desirea plans to pursue a doctoral degree in industrial-organizational psychology and credits UWRF faculty with helping shape her academic journey. Justin, once unsure about graduate school, now sees research as a path toward his future.
“The professors here really care about their students,” Desirea said. “We’re a smaller university, so you get to know them well, and they’re dedicated to helping us succeed.”
That faculty mentorship played a crucial role in shaping their project. Psychological sciences professors Melanie Ayres and Travis Tubre helped Desirea and Justin refine their research questions and methodology, ensuring their study would be rigorous and impactful.
“Travis helped us home in on what we wanted to do,” Justin said. “He also kept us accountable, making sure we stayed on track with our work.”
Desirea, who once wasn’t sure if college was in her future, now aspires to become a professor and inspire future students just as her own professors positively impacted her.
“This experience would not be possible without my professors” Desirea said. “They showed me what’s possible, and now I want to do the same for future students.”