By April Pickens, Student Intern
In addition to taking eighteen credit hours (six classes), I work three jobs and have an internship. Some may say I’m crazy, and to that, I tend to agree. But I also just like to be busy. At Purdue University, I work as the Co-Director and tour guide for the Group Visits team, I am an Office Assistant for the Introductory Composition program, and I also am working on an organization project for the Rhetorical Composition program as well.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get on my tours is about Student Employment. Where do you find it? How does it work into my school schedule? How is the pay? Will I have to work on weekends?
Let’s break down some of the most frequently asked questions.
- Do I have to have a job on campus? No, you don’t! If you would rather have a job at a department store, shop, restaurant or salon, you can definitely do that! There are no limits when finding a job. However, I will say to keep in mind that the jobs on campus will work with your school schedule and are understanding about the need to change your schedule each semester. That might be a little different for an off-campus job.
- If I want an on-campus job, does that mean that I can only work in the Dining Courts? No again! There are many, many different jobs on campus- as I said, I work as a tour guide and an office assistant. Most schools will have an online site where you can search for job openings, and some will even send out emails looking for recruits. It’s also always a good idea to keep your ears open; I found out about the Office Assistant position by word of mouth, and in a few days I was in for an interview!
- Will working impact my time to study? Perhaps. Like with any job, you have a certain number of hours to work. Most jobs are usually pretty flexible with your schedule, as long as you work the hours you are responsible for and do the work they need you to do. Ultimately, it falls upon you to schedule and spend your time wisely.
- Do I have to have a job while I’m in college? You definitely don’t have to; however, you can get a lot of great experience and make some great connections while working in college. Most students do choose to work, though. A 2015 study done at Georgetown University reports that over the past 25 years, 70% of students choose to work while they take college classes. This number has increased as the years have gone on, and as enrollment has expanded.
- What are some benefits of working while in college? Of course, the money is nice. Building your network can help you in your job searches in the future, either as references or by sending job descriptions and applications your way. These jobs are also a great way to earn experience to put on your resume; a ton of jobs want their applicants to have experience working in service jobs or working around people. Some examples of using these on your resume would be “teamwork”, “management skills”, or “developed leadership skills”.
Additional resources:
Understanding and Calculating the Total Cost of College – Guide (free download)
When you think about the “ideal” college experience you probably think about the things you’ve seen in movies. Going away to a four-year college, looking for your residence hall, what to take with you and decorating your room, and, of course, tailgating at games. The truth is, not all of us choose to go away right off that bat. I was one of those people. I chose to attend a local community college first. It was a hard decision, but so many factors played a part in figuring out what was right for me. The best part was, I still got to have a college experience. I now attend a four-year college. Yes, the two are completely different, but I truly enjoyed the time I spent at both.
Let me first preface this with saying that not all community colleges are the same. If yours is anything like mine, there are some benefits, as well as downfalls no matter where you go. Starting off, I had an easy time meeting friends for two reasons. One, I was on the soccer team so I met a lot of athletes not just from my team but the other teams that played at my school and we all got along. So, on the weekends we would hangout, volunteer together, and cheer each other on at our games. Second, my community college was just down the road from a four-year University. So many of the athletes I played with knew other students at that school. If I didn’t have that experience, playing a sport at my community college it would’ve definitely been a lot harder to make friends. Unlike a four-year college, most of the students who attend local community colleges have jobs, families, and other commitments that consume their time. Also, my community college didn’t have housing so after class everyone went home.
When I graduated from high school, I couldn’t wait for the journey that was about to unfold in front of me. Moving away from home and starting college represented a significant step towards adulthood and becoming more independent.
At the time, I didn’t think twice about how my parents were feeling and I really regret that now, because I’m sure it was hard for them. Having your child be around everyday for eighteen years, and watching them grow, learn, and become an adult must be such an amazing experience. Only to watch them leave the nest and fly on their own probably leads to a whole new set of emotions and anxieties. In truth, we all deal with change differently. Some of us embrace it without hesitation, while others are overwhelmed with feelings and sometimes a void that takes time to fill. Many parents don’t know until that day comes how they’ll feel but it’s a part of the process of raising children to go out into the world and make their way.
As a student who has taken numerous classes online, with subjects ranging from sociology to statistics, let me provide you with the information and answers to many questions you may be having about the virtual classroom.
When talking with my peers about online classes, I’ve come to realize that there are two assumptions that just about everyone makes. One is that they are way too hard and students will say, “I procrastinate way too much, and would not be able to keep up on the work.” The second is “aren’t online classes easier?” So, to clarify both these questions let me start with procrastinating.
So, you may be wondering do online classes entail group projects? Yes! Just because your classes are online doesn’t mean that you won’t be assigned team projects. With advancements made in technology it has become more common for instructors to assign students group projects. Although it can be difficult at times collaborating with other students, it is possible and several platforms like Google Docs, Skype, and Video conferencing can aid in this process. If you haven’t ever used any of these tools try to get familiar with them because they can be helpful both for virtual students, as well as traditional ones.
So you’re going to college in the fall. You’ve already found your dream college and you’re in the process of making lists about what you want to take with you, and what you’ll need to buy. While you’re doing all that planning, a few things might slip your mind- but don’t worry, we have you covered!