With 18 credits, extracurricular activities, internships and a healthy social life, it’s a miracle that college students find time for a job. Yet across the country students are constantly shifting their schedules to accommodate a job – or in some cases, several jobs.
Amy Hoskins, a sophomore at Johnson and Wales University, works as a line cook at the Quidnessett Country Club. She dreams of one day becoming a professional chef, and this job gives her practical experience in a field where hands-on work is essential... literally. Though her job is more than half an hour away and she works every weekend, the real-life experience she gains outweighs the time costs.
Hartt School of Music junior Erin Paul juggles three jobs along with her 18-credit course load. She works as an assistant at Tapeworks, a recording studio in Hartford, teaches trumpet lessons to middle school kids, and is a professional dog-walker during her free lunch block. Though her hectic schedule sometimes keeps her up late finishing homework, she believes that the loss of sleep is completely worth the connections she has made in the music industry. Through her boss, she is able to audition for voiceover work and for some studio musician jobs on the French horn. She also met Chris Berman, a sports anchor on ESPN, and Brian Dennehy, the two-time Tony-Away winning actor.
Jessie Rykers*, an Emerson College junior majoring in marketing communication, works as a marketing intern with Choice Group. She describes much of the work as “boring stuff sometimes, like filing and database entry.” But she quickly rectifies this statement and describes how she writes and designs handouts and comes up with marketing strategies- all while sitting in her apartment. Because so much of her work is computer-driven, she is allowed a flexible schedule that allows her to start “around nine o'clock and maybe take a break to go on Facebook.” Her paid internship is giving her the experience and real-life skills necessary for her to become successful after she graduates from Emerson.
Other students take advantage of on-campus opportunities for work study. Keene State sophomore Tracy Gilpin worked in the alumni office during her freshman year. Designing everything from flyers to buttons for homecoming, she “basically did all the odd-job things” that the office could throw at her. During Pumpkinfest, she spent hours carving pumpkins for the alumni information booth. Gilpin enjoyed having a job close by and the flexible schedule they allowed her to have during midterms and finals.
Bethany Forshaw, a New England College freshman, also holds an on-campus job. She works as the assistant to the cross-country coach, stuffing envelopes, cleaning his office and helping to organize events for the team. Forshaw describes her job as “nothing overly exciting – but it gets me money.” But as a runner on the team, she does enjoy closer relationships with her coach and her team members.
Students sometimes find it difficult to balance work, school, and play, however.
“I have little or no free time at all,” says Brian Ho, a sophomore music education major at the Hartt School of Music. Between practicing, doing homework and teaching percussion and string players at a local magnet school, Ho has little time for friends or parties. But he doesn’t seem to mind.
“I’m loving every bit of it!” he says.
Some students have happily abandoned the idea of having a job. They believe that school and studying is the only work they should be focusing on at this point in their lives.
“I don’t have a job – and I love it!” says Elizabeth Dargie, a sophomore at the University of Connecticut. With a full course load and extracurricular schedule, she doesn’t have the time or desire for a job.
However, with the absence of a job, there’s also the desperate absence of money. Peter Orfitelli, a jobless freshman also attending the University of Connecticut, laments his empty wallet and states that he is a “very, very broke college student.” This financial deficit has led him to consider some rather unique jobs.
“Perhaps,” Orfitelli says, “a part-time job as a stripper would fit me well.”
But Orfitelli’s unique idea may not suit many college students. So if a full course load, extracurricular activities and social events aren’t enough for you, or if your wallet is rapidly emptying– perhaps a job may be right for you. Many jobs can be found in the classified section of your local newspaper, or at job fairs held in your college. Many students, include Boykins and Paul, found their jobs on Craigslist.
"You find all the good stuff on Craigslist, right?” Boykin says.
Just remember not to get discouraged. Although having a job while taking classes and trying to maintain a social life can be stressful, a little bit of time management can make having that job worthwhile.
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