A recent report from the National Institute of Training and Education (INCAF) sheds light on the remarkable resilience and determination of university students in El Salvador, as nearly half of them successfully balance both work and study. According to the findings, 47.7% of students surveyed are managing to combine their academic commitments with professional responsibilities.
Released in late March, the report surveyed over 600 students and revealed that 52 out of every 100 students are pursuing their degrees full-time. The data also highlights an encouraging trend: women are leading the charge, making up 55.1% of the working student population, while men represent 44.9%.
“The central region of the country is home to the highest concentration of working students,” notes the INCAF report, pointing to the departments of San Salvador and La Libertad. The western regions follow closely with 43.7% of students working while studying, while the east and central zones have lower, yet significant, figures at 28% and 24.4%, respectively.
The report celebrates the diverse range of roles students are taking on, showcasing their versatility and commitment to gaining real-world experience. Students are actively working as graphic designers, multimedia specialists, data analysts, accountants, beauty experts, and retail entrepreneurs. Other students are finding success in IT support, administrative roles, sales, call centers, baking, content creation, cashiering, software development, and marketing. Even logistics professionals, waiters, and photographers are contributing to the economy while pursuing their studies.
This entrepreneurial spirit is also reflected in the survey’s findings on employment types. Of those working while studying, 57.7% are salaried employees, 12.5% are employers, 9.9% run businesses without a physical location, and 8% are apprentices. Additionally, 4.2% work as unpaid family members, and 3.5% operate businesses with physical locations.
“71.8% of working students have formal work contracts, either temporary or permanent,” the report proudly highlights, signaling the growing importance of job security for students in the workforce.
On average, these students have been working for about two years, with 29.5% reporting that they work more than 40 hours per week. This strong work ethic not only supports their studies but also contributes to the country’s economy, reinforcing the importance of higher education and the invaluable hands-on experience students are gaining.