Marcos Ruiz Rojas and Simone Frank | August 27, 2025

Each summer, the UCLA Labor Summer Research Program (LSRP) brings students together to study the challenges of working while pursuing a degree. In 2025, the program continues to serve as a vital platform for amplifying the voices of students navigating this balance.

On August 20, the program marked a milestone with its final presentations, concluding an intensive six-week research program organized by UCLA Labor Studies. During this time, students examined the realities of being “workers and learners,” those who juggle jobs while pursuing their education.

“LSRP is important because it creates space for students to connect their lived experiences with research. Many of our students are directly impacted by the issues they study, working while in school, navigating systemic barriers, and supporting their families and communities,” said LSRP lecturer Lucero Herrera.

This year’s research focused not only on the challenges of balancing school and work but also on urgent issues such as organizing, the growing use of AI in schools and workplaces, and the impacts of federal policy changes. Students gathered extensive data through 154 surveys and 30 in-depth interviews, producing a rich foundation for analysis.

Findings revealed that wages often fail to meet student workers’ financial needs, with more than half unable to cover basic living expenses. Students also noted the effects of recent federal policy and funding shifts, which have led to reduced or eliminated campus programs and heightened stress. Many participants reported facing unfair working conditions, with widespread issues in their workplaces.

Concerns about immigration enforcement also surfaced. Sixty-six percent of interviewed student workers said they were very or somewhat concerned about ICE raids at work, with nearly half unsure if their employers had procedures in place. On campus, 88% expressed concern about potential raids, while 64% were uncertain about UCLA’s response protocols.

Attitudes toward AI in the workplace were also surveyed. The majority of student workers, 76 percent, reported never using AI at work. Eighteen percent said they used it occasionally and 6 percent reported frequent use.

Based on their findings, the LSRP 2025 cohort developed several recommendations, including:

• Expanding workers’ rights trainings in the workplace
• Encouraging academic institutions to offer more asynchronous courses to accommodate student workers
• Setting clear communication requirements for colleges and universities regarding federal policy changes
• Protecting income-based grant funding

These findings and recommendations highlight why LSRP is essential to the UCLA Labor Studies Program. Beyond the research outcomes, the intensive gives students, many of whom are conducting research for the first time, hands-on experience. As Herrera explains:

“In terms of skills, students gain a strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research. They take a project from idea to design, develop surveys and interview protocols, conduct fieldwork, and analyze data, all in just six weeks. They also learn how to make their findings accessible and translate them into recommendations for policy, organizing, or practice.”

LSRP student researcher Briana Contreras Cortes reflected on her experience during the final presentations, saying “I decided to do LSRP because I wanted to get general experience in research, I wanted to learn more about workers and learners being one myself. I used to work in retail and it was incredibly hard balancing between work and school, having to work between 20-30 hours to meet basic necessities, but still trying to be engaged on campus.”

Building on their findings, LSRP research is making an impact beyond campus. On August 15, UCLA Labor Center Director Saba Waheed and LSRP alumna Hina Malik presented at an informational hearing in Paramount, California, for the Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Housing Impact.

They discussed the real cost pressures facing Los Angeles households and the vital role microbusinesses play in the local economy. Waheed and Malik shared expertise and testimony based on the recent UCLA Labor Center report, “Balancing Books and Bills: Understanding the Struggles of Workers and Learners in Los Angeles County,” highlighting how student research and recommendations are contributing to policy discussions.

Watch LSRP students Gaby Chielpegian and Noe Romero reflect on their experiences, followed by Lucero Herrera and Carolyn Park discuss how participants engage in the full research process, from project design to final report.