An Eye Toward the Future: Examining the Relationship Between Future Time Perspective and College Student Employment in the United States

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of future time perspective (FTP) on college student employment. The research data were collected using an online survey that was distributed to randomly selected participants at a university in the southeastern United States. A total of 219 undergraduate students participated in the study. Logistic regression analysis revealed that FTP exerts a significant influence on whether a student works while in college. Students higher in FTP were more likely to be employed. In addition, gender was found to moderate the relationship between FTP and college student employment, with the relationship being stronger for males than for females. The present research not only contributes to our understanding of college student employment, but it also has important implications for leaders in higher education. Faculty and administrators should recognize and appreciate that working college students are not only earning income to meet short term financial needs, but they also perceive employment as a means of improving their long-term future earnings. Internship and work-study coordinators could identify and target future-oriented students when recruiting quality candidates. To the extent that FTP is malleable, colleges and universities might consider prompting a greater orientation toward the future in those students who are not so inclined in order to spark greater interest in work-related programs.