I was like many English majors, and I found myself walking across graduation in 2019, knowing that my college days were over and I would soon be unemployed. I gave my best and ended up with a nearly perfect GPA. My only options were to continue my bartending job or go to graduate school. Because I already had nearly $70,000 in student debt, I chose to go with the former.The next year was a busy one. I worked freelance gigs and bartended at the local pub. COVID came along. The bar was closed. They initially told us that we would only be closed for two weeks to stop spreading the spread. Then, it turned out to be two months. Soon, a group text was sent stating that the bar would close indefinitely.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPart-time bartenders listed as dependents on parents' tax returns when it comes to unemployment and stimulus checks, aren't entitled to any. My life was ruined. My self-esteem plummeted. My parents were constantly fighting with me. I didn't have anything to do and nowhere to go. I applied for countless jobs at home, but I received zero interviews.A college friend reached out to me towards the end of April 2020: Are you looking to find work? This essay writing company offers referral bonuses to all who sign up.He said he was writing essays for college students for Killer Papers and was making tons of cash. Since most students were now pursuing distance learning, the owner claimed a 30 percent increase in sales.AdvertisementWithin 24 hours, I had interviewed and written my first essay. $40 for a 3-page reflection paper about how COVID was affecting college students. It was fitting.This system of black-market essays was a little bit more complicated than I expected. One common stereotype is that the privileged children and daughters of wealthy families cheat their way to a degree and their job. This is true often.AdvertisementOne client said that his parents are doctors and were very loaded. He claimed that he was good friends with the owner of this site and has been using it since 2017.As I finished my grilled cheese, I thought "Oh, how nice!" and began to type my seventh paper from the basement at my parents' house.AdvertisementIt was even more disappointing that parents encouraged this behavior. Some went so far as to request the essay and purchase it without their child lifting a finger. Their children were so lazy they couldn't even work with me to complete the task. One mother suggested that I include a story about my son's lacrosse team. I did what was asked. As long as they gave me a tip, I could afford gas.There was more to the story than just a lazy kid who couldn't write essays. Surprisingly, I found that many of my clients were desperate to get help.AdvertisementThey weren't wealthy. They would negotiate prices or make payment arrangements. They would say things like "Ill be back to accept your price on Friday when my check clears." A Taco Bell assistant manager, a Wendys drive-thru operator, or a Whole Foods cashier. My clients were able to work in a variety low-income jobs while simultaneously attending classes. I would ask them questions about their project and they wouldn't return for at least a day. They would reply, "Sorry, I was busy with a double."AdvertisementIt was not students or parents at elite colleges who purchased papers. Students at community colleges who were working minimum wage didn't have the time to write them.AdvertisementSingle parents had to manage work, child care, college, and home life. Many of them had multiple jobs and children. They were trying to improve their careers by getting a degree.International college students were the culprits. A few Chinese clients told me that they could beat any American in calculus. However, when it came time to write an English essay for American lit class, they were severely handicapped, especially since COVID was introduced. They returned to China.Many university writing centers relied on online or closed support. However, time zones differences made it difficult to obtain the assistance they required. They chose to cheat or get a poor grade when faced with the choice.AdvertisementThe COVID factor was another important consideration. Variations of I've been following Killer Papers' Instagram page for years but never imagined I would use it. I feel so sad, and the work that is piling up would overwhelm my site inbox if quarantines were not extended.AdvertisementIt got worse. My clients lost their friends, families, and even professors. One customer said that their third professor for the same semester was dead from COVID.Despite all the grumblings about my service among professors, I discovered something: Professors don't want to bother with student struggles. COVID grew in importance, but so did deadlines. Many professors were very strict with their rules. One of the rubrics that I read from students was "No missed deadlines." I don't want to hear your sob tale.AdvertisementMany of my essay writing colleagues were academics. They wrote papers for students to make ends meet.If you told me that I would be earning more as an academic ghostwriter in just a few months in March 2020, I would have believed you were crazy. It was $500 per week for approximately 10-12 essays in the summer. It could go up to $2,000 per week during the semester for 30-40 projects. This is a huge amount of writing but not a lot of money.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen I first started, I was too worried about ethics to care. I felt worse about students who were barely scraping by and paid me for this work. But I devised a payment system that allowed me to make minimum-fee arrangements for clients who truly needed it. It was the only thing I could do because I didn't have any other options.I realized that it was not something I could do anymore and there were more opportunities. When my area was reopened, I returned to bartending. I proofread books, ebooks, college admissions essays, and freelance writing. This is more respectable. However, my little bit of pandemic despair gave me an insight into the struggles that many people face no matter what time it may be.
