The Graduate's Grind: Brigham Young University- Idaho
Student Jobs in Rexburg:
The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Employment
By. Dan Springer
The appeal of a campus job is obvious: you can go to work just minutes away from your next class. Many people, however, do not take the time to consider the true benefits and possible problems associated with an on-campus job.
The true benefits of on-campus jobs
Have you ever worked at a job that didn’t care much about your home or school life? They just wanted you to put in your hours and not worry about things away from work? Campus jobs are a little different. Often you will find your employer asking you how your schoolwork is going. If you mention that you aren’t able to complete assignments, often the employer will suggest you work fewer hours. This attitude towards the employees’ schoolwork is the biggest pro of working at an on-campus job. In addition to this benefit, if a student can find work in their chosen field of study, the student can gain important experience that will help in post-graduate work and schooling. What is the best way to find an on-campus job? You can always work for the grounds department; however, the best jobs come from scholastic departments of your chosen field of study. Go to the department head of your chosen major and ask if there are any teaching assistant jobs available. Nothing is more exciting than being able to help students who are struggling with a subject in which you excel!
Some setbacks of on-campus jobs
Although an on-campus job has some major perks, especially for those who are highly invested in course work, it also has some setbacks that might not appeal to everyone. The biggest setback is the hour limitation. If you need to work a lot of hours to pay the bills, an on-campus job may not be a right fit for you. 20 hours a week is the max amount of hours you can work at an on-campus job. This usually means you will have to pick up an extra job (which means additional travel) in order to make up the extra hours you will need. Another setback is the academia-oriented type of work you will perform. For some people, school is dreaded. If you hate doing your schoolwork and going to classes, an on-campus job may not be a good choice for you. Often an on-campus job will feel like an extension of your schoolwork. Often your job will be very similar to an assignment you would do for school. If you don’t want to worry about the material you study in your job, you might want to try a call-center or restaurant.
The true benefits of on-campus jobs
Have you ever worked at a job that didn’t care much about your home or school life? They just wanted you to put in your hours and not worry about things away from work? Campus jobs are a little different. Often you will find your employer asking you how your schoolwork is going. If you mention that you aren’t able to complete assignments, often the employer will suggest you work fewer hours. This attitude towards the employees’ schoolwork is the biggest pro of working at an on-campus job. In addition to this benefit, if a student can find work in their chosen field of study, the student can gain important experience that will help in post-graduate work and schooling. What is the best way to find an on-campus job? You can always work for the grounds department; however, the best jobs come from scholastic departments of your chosen field of study. Go to the department head of your chosen major and ask if there are any teaching assistant jobs available. Nothing is more exciting than being able to help students who are struggling with a subject in which you excel!
Some setbacks of on-campus jobs
Although an on-campus job has some major perks, especially for those who are highly invested in course work, it also has some setbacks that might not appeal to everyone. The biggest setback is the hour limitation. If you need to work a lot of hours to pay the bills, an on-campus job may not be a right fit for you. 20 hours a week is the max amount of hours you can work at an on-campus job. This usually means you will have to pick up an extra job (which means additional travel) in order to make up the extra hours you will need. Another setback is the academia-oriented type of work you will perform. For some people, school is dreaded. If you hate doing your schoolwork and going to classes, an on-campus job may not be a good choice for you. Often an on-campus job will feel like an extension of your schoolwork. Often your job will be very similar to an assignment you would do for school. If you don’t want to worry about the material you study in your job, you might want to try a call-center or restaurant.
Off-Campus Potential
So an on-campus job isn’t right for you? No problem! Rexburg also has some great off-campus potential. If you are comfortable with a phone your job possibilities are basically endless. Melaleuca has many job opportunities for those who are willing to help costumers on the phone. Although most think that Melaleuca is a sales job, the main responsibility of a Melaleuca representative is to handle customer orders. In addition to Melaleuca is the Rexburg Opinion Center and Western Watts. Both of these companies do marketing research via telephone. Although these jobs are not direct sales, they do require people skills and interview quotas. If phone calls aren’t your thing, you can always try to get a job at a local super market, restaurant, or small business. Needless to say, if you are looking for a job, all you need to do is put forth the effort. As a college town, Rexburg has many institutions which offer students employment.
Your choice!
All in all, an on-campus job is a great opportunity for most. At the very least, you can look at the potential to work on-campus as an amazing privilege. It may or may not be the right thing for you. One of the great things about an on-campus job: if you don’t like it, you only have to wait until the end of the semester!
Check out BYU-Idaho’s Student Employment resources page at www.byui.edu/StudentEmployment for help with finding both on-campus and off-campus jobs.
So an on-campus job isn’t right for you? No problem! Rexburg also has some great off-campus potential. If you are comfortable with a phone your job possibilities are basically endless. Melaleuca has many job opportunities for those who are willing to help costumers on the phone. Although most think that Melaleuca is a sales job, the main responsibility of a Melaleuca representative is to handle customer orders. In addition to Melaleuca is the Rexburg Opinion Center and Western Watts. Both of these companies do marketing research via telephone. Although these jobs are not direct sales, they do require people skills and interview quotas. If phone calls aren’t your thing, you can always try to get a job at a local super market, restaurant, or small business. Needless to say, if you are looking for a job, all you need to do is put forth the effort. As a college town, Rexburg has many institutions which offer students employment.
Your choice!
All in all, an on-campus job is a great opportunity for most. At the very least, you can look at the potential to work on-campus as an amazing privilege. It may or may not be the right thing for you. One of the great things about an on-campus job: if you don’t like it, you only have to wait until the end of the semester!
Check out BYU-Idaho’s Student Employment resources page at www.byui.edu/StudentEmployment for help with finding both on-campus and off-campus jobs.
