Campus Chatter

     Finding balance between school and a job search can be tricky, especially when the search itself consumes enough time to be a job. What struggles do students face on their job searches?

     Kayla Meeks, freshman, biology

     Are you currently working?

     No, I have a job interview – McDonald’s for a part-time position.

     Have you been searching for quite a while?

     Yes, for a long time. Maybe like a year. I tried and quit.

     Was McDonald’s your first choice?

     Not really. It was just like I called them, and they were hiring. So I just I went with it. I would have worked more in retail. A job is a job, I guess.

     Do you have friends struggling looking for jobs?

     Yes, a lot of them are struggling to get jobs. It’s frustrating that you have to search so hard to find a job, so it’s frustrating. I partially believe it’s the economy because it’s kind of hard for adults to get a job.

     Lincoln Roberts, freshman, business

     Do you currently work at the moment?

     Not at the moment. I worked the entire time I lived in Texas. I have enough money saved up; I didn’t have to have a job freshman year. Maybe my sophomore year I can go look for a job here.

    Would you look for a job on campus or off?

    On campus because it would be easier to work around classes.

    Do you think, being young, it is tougher to get a job than someone older?

    I think it may be equal chances. It depends really on the job. A job dealing machinery may want someone older who has more experience. Someone younger may be, like, in the kitchen or [at] a cash register.

    Tracie Schumacher, senior, psychology

    Do you currently have a job?

    I am in the Air Force, actually.

    Do you know anybody struggling on their job search?

    I know a lot of people who are doing the work study program at school, and I figure that seems like a pretty convenient way to get your hours in. It seems like [those jobs] would hire students.

    Do you think a student’s age is a disadvantage?

    I went to college before I was in the Air Force, and I had the same kind of issues looking for a part-time job. I remember I worked in the library on campus for a while because it was just easy. It was right on campus, so I wouldn’t have to go far.

     Looking for other jobs, you are limited to entry level. Since you don’t have a degree yet, you’re obviously working towards it. It’s usually more convenient to look for a job on campus.