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BEST OF THE BEST: Jobs on campus by Frank Kwarcinksi
With the start of the second semester, many
students have begun to realize one thing—they’re broke. This epiphany may have
hit after paying for books or even last night’s pizza, but either
way everyone has experienced an empty wallet at some time during the
year. Seemingly the only answer to the lack of cash
flow problem is going out to find a job. Of course, Mom and Dad are
good options, but asking for a check every other week isn’t
too practical. So the easiest solution to the problem at hand would
be tackling an on campus job. Here is a look at 13 campus jobs that you may
find yourself considering. Note: The ratings are based on random interviews
with a single worker at each employment location listed, so a certain
amount of leeway should be given to each job rating. Also, the jobs
are ordered according to the ratings provided, out of ten. Sparty’s Store Rating 6.0 Interviewed: Mike Roy Best Part: You don’t have a supervisor constantly looking over your shoulder. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: Nighttime. It’s relatively slow, so I don’t have a lot to worry about. Words of Advice: “If you like free time, it’s
a great job. It does get pretty boring though, and you don’t get
too many hours a week, only about 12 tops.” U-Cue Attendant Rating 7.0 Interviewed: Florine Wilson Best Part: You get a chance to be social and get your homework done for class the next day. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: University Activities Board (UAB) Thursday nights get a little hectic, but it’s not too bad otherwise. Words of Advice: “It’s a lot of cleaning,
but I enjoy meeting new people.” Spartan Lanes Rafting 7.0 Interviewed: Jacinta Holton Best Part: The people that you work with, and it’s pretty fun and interesting. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: University Activities Board (UAB) nights are always adventures– people will get angry with you because they can’t get a lane, but other than that it’s fine. Words of Advice: “Definitely worth it, and it
provides good job experience. Just make sure your schedule can fit the
work hours.” Cafeteria Worker Rating 7.5 Interviewed: Matt Eland Best Part: Not too tough of a job. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: I hate closing condiments or working dish room, just because it’s time consuming. Words of Advice: “Don’t use your cell
phone or do homework while you’re working and you’ll be
fine.” Rating 8.0 Interviewed: Tony Dibella Best Part: I get to finish up homework and it’s relevant to my major. I get to learn what prescriptions go with what illnesses. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: Not a big fan of closing just because I’m usually the last one out. Also I have to take care of the register and sort out all of the prescriptions at the end of the day. Words of Advice: “Be friendly and make sure
the job fits your class schedule.” Office Assistant at the Kresge Art Center Rating 8.0 Interviewed: Angela Minicuci Job Description: Do whatever is needed, mail hourly reports and update memos and memberships on the database. Best Part: Working with people out of college who know what they are doing. Worst Part: Not really the worst part, but I was sort of thrown into the job after three weeks when my boss left work on maternity leave. Favorite/Worse Time to Work: I love Friday mornings from 9-12pm. It’s my one chance during the week where I can sit down write out my weekly reports. Words of Advice: “If you interested in a job
like this, you should look at SpartanTrak from the MSU homepage. You
can find a really great job with good pay.” Totally Take Out Rating 8.0 Interviewed: Deedra Helton Best Part: Meeting new people every day you work, and it is easy. Worst Part: Changing the milks—I have a hard time lifting them out of the back. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: It gets busy around lunch, but it’s manageable. Words of Advice: “I’d recommend it. I
like it because it’s so close and convenient.” Rating 8.0 Interviewed: Ashlee Sackett Best Part: I work with a good staff, and I work with ice cream. Enough said. Worst Part: Usually people who come in are happy to get ice cream, so I’ve never really had a bad day. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: Over the summer it gets stressful when the line is out the door. Lunchtime can get busy like that too. The tips are usually best on the weekends, especially after the Spartan basketball games. Words of Advice: “I think it’s one of
the best jobs on campus, but it’s hard to get into. Just make
sure your schedule allows you time to work there.” IM Center (East) Rating 8.0 Interviewed: Troy Best Part: It’s a flexible job, and you get to work with a good staff and boss. You get time to study and relax, too. Worst Part: Nothing, except if there is an injury to someone late in the evening. You have to be responsible for getting help to arrive. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: I like early shifts. There isn’t as much foot traffic coming through like at 3 or 4pm when the intramural games begin. Words of Advice: “If you’re hardworking
and don’t mind working with a flexible schedule, then it’s
a great job.” Night Receptionist Rating 9.0 Interviewed: Alejandra Murillo Best Part: The homework time, the people you work with and the job experience. Worst Part: The fact that people don’t recognize how hard the job is. We have to look up the names of students, fill out visitor slips and take care of students who come in drunk or sick. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: Out of the three shifts: First shift 1–4:30am, Second shift 3–7am, and Full shift 11:30–7, the second shift is the hardest to wake up for. Words of Advice: “It’s a different experience,
so if you like late nights and coffee and don’t have any early
classes, I’d recommend it.” Beaner’s in the Union Rating 9.0 Interviewed: Caitlin M. Best Part: The people you work with and getting to know the regulars who come in. Worst Part: Having to deal with rude customers who don’t realize you have no control over what goes on the menu. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: It’s all pretty much the same, so when it’s slow more cleaning has to be done as opposed to when it’s busy. Words of Advice: “Anyone can do it. You just
have to be on your toes and work well with others.” Spartan Bookstore Rating 9.5 Interviewed: Anne Dykema Best Part: It’s a laid back job, and you get to work with good people with a flexible schedule. Worst Part: It’s not really bad, but learning the computer system can be kind of a pain. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: The first week of the semester can be extremely busy, but at least it makes the shift go by faster. I really don’t mind it too much. Words of Advice: “Apply at the end of the semester
if you want a job for the following one. The bookstore hires a lot of
people for the book rush, but they all don’t get to stay on staff.” Library Circulation Rating 10.0 Interviewed: Michael Miller Best Part: Lots of study time and it’s really easy. Worst Part: Nothing. Everyone is nice and all of my friends want my job. Favorite/Worst Time to Work: I like how Thursday and Friday nights are really slow, but then again you have to end up working on Thursday and Friday nights. Words of Advice: “If you don’t mind starting
to stack books first before reaching circulation, you’ll be fine.
I kind of got lucky when I applied at AOP and ended up getting the job.” |
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