Nicholas Mayeur found work on campus for more than a paycheck. Advantages of the student-work program can give students an opportunity for growth and job preparation.
Zachary Araki/The Lion’s Roar
Students fight the broke college student trope by participating in the work-study program.
The benefits of working on campus can exceed a paycheck. Randi Olivier, a graduate communication sciences and disorders major believes a graduate assistant position in Disability Services will help her on the path to becoming a speech-language pathologist.
“I actually was a student worker all through my four years in undergrad here as well, and I think it’s extremely convenient to go to classes and as soon as I get off classes, to go to work here,” said Olivier. “It’s also a great experience especially the GA position that I have. I’m getting experience in my field as well as attending classes. A lot of the work that I do for the university is very applicable to my classwork and coursework.”
Working on campus can also be a convenient opportunity for growth. Emily Simeon, a junior health education and promotion major works in the Work-Study Office.
“It’s been really helpful,” said Simeon. “I was really shy when I was younger. It’s helped me to be able to speak to people whenever they come in and be able to help them, answering phones and whatnot. It just helps give me an experience of what it’s like to be working in the real world.”
Job-seeking students can visit departments on campus, visit the Student Employment Network on the university website and contact offices such as Career Services, Financial Aid or the Center for Student Excellence,” said Simeon.
The most common question Simeon receives is how to get started.
“Go around to the different departments and just job hunt basically,” said Simeon. “All departments hire on campus. It’s just a matter of asking whenever they’re looking and making sure that your schedule fits with it. We usually suggest that if you’re looking for an office job to schedule classes either in the morning or the afternoon so you can work either mornings or afternoons cause a lot of jobs on campus are office type.”
Nicholas Mayeur, a graduate kinesiology major shared his experience as the facility supervisor at the Pennington.
“Definitely getting able to interact with students has been an experience like any other that I’ve had in a job setting,” said Mayeur. “It really has been helpful definitely trying to step into new careers. This has been a great starting point.”
Hannah Fork, a junior middle school special education major started working at the Sims Memorial Library in January.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Fork. “All of the coworkers are really nice. It’s nice because it’s on campus, and I don’t have to drive somewhere else. I can go in between classes.”
Victoria Arledge, a senior biological sciences major works at the Center for Student Excellence. The work-study program has been convenient for her and her friends.
“It’s been my experience that they are really great for work-study,” said Arledge. “I have lots of friends working different departments, and they’ve all enjoyed it. It gives them a lot of time. It’s easy for them to go to class and then come back to work. They all really like that. A lot of them even have time for another job even with all their classes too, and it works perfectly.”
Hannah Fork has worked at the Sims Memorial Library since January.
Zachary Araki/The Lion’s Roar
