Rovnováha mezi prací, studiem a osobním životem u pracujících mladých dospělých

The aim of this master’s thesis is to understand the experience of young adults who simultaneously work while attending university and gradually transition from the role of a student to the role of a worker. The research focuses on how these individuals experience the combination of work, study, and personal life, and how they seek life balance under conditions of long-term strain. To achieve this aim, a qualitative research design based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight working university students. The findings showed that respondents often experience long-term time pressure, fatigue, and the gradual marginalization of their personal lives. At the same time, work becomes an important source of independence, experience, and personal value. Another significant theme was identity transformation, as many respondents began to perceive themselves more as workers than as students. The research also revealed differences between students working within their field of study and those working outside of it, as well as the importance of social support in coping with long-term strain. The conclusions of the thesis point to a broader societal pressure for performance and productivity, which young adults often reproduce themselves and perceive as a normal part of everyday life.