Some students need a job for the extra income, while for others it’s a part of the work award requirement. Whatever the reason, try to find something that you will enjoy doing. Sure, there’s the pizza shop and the ice-cream stand but if you’re looking to build up your resume while earning some cash at the same time, getting the right job can make all the difference when graduation rolls around and your “real-world” job search begins.
One way to look for a job on-campus is to check with the professors in your field of study. Not only can you land an easy job such as answering the phone but it will also look good on your resume, especially if your supervisor is also a professor who can write you a letter of recommendation both as an employer and a teacher.
Another source is the campus classifieds. If you prefer something quieter, look for positions in the library or the administrative office. If you know someone who works at a job you’d like to have, ask them how they got it and whether they could introduce you to their supervisor. The mailroom is another good place to start – you have a chance to meet all kinds of people. Working in the student activities office will help build business, marketing, public relations, and communications skills. A job as a teacher’s assistant or research assistant can also be very beneficial to you.
If want a job with very little actual work involved, you don’t need to look much further than the front desk of your residence hall. This usually works out better for students who prefer night shifts – they only need to make sure guests are signed in, while day workers have to sort mail, organize packages, hand out equipment, etc.
Campus computer labs typically have student positions available for lab assistants. If you know your way around computers, this may be the perfect job for you. True, you do have to be knowledgeable and be able to solve various software problems, printing issues and general questions but you also don’t have to be a computer genius to work at the lab. Such a job can have many benefits – from free printing and copying to discounted software and more.
A campus tour guide can be a great choice for you if you’re energetic and have good communication skills. Guides usually give a few tours per week, leaving them with enough time for classes, studying and other activities. Its flexible schedule makes it an attractive option for busy students, who love meeting new people.
Your campus recreational center also offers many positions for students. Whether your niche is yoga, dance, spinning, or aerobics, look to see if your favorite class is hiring for an instructor and apply.
If you feel, however, that a certain job just isn’t for you, you can always try something new next semester. As long as you are courteous and give a notice to your supervisor two to four weeks in advance, you don’t have to worry about changes jobs too often. This will leave them thinking well of you and give you a good referral.