Category: On-Campus Jobs

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Campus Jobs

Often, students do not know whether they can handle having a job while also taking classes. Though it may not work well for some students, other students enjoy working while in college. Some students work off campus, but those jobs are typically more hours each week and scheduling around classes and homework could be stressful. Many students enjoy working right at the College because you can work for just a few hours a week and it is very flexible work. Also, you get to save time and gas because you will not have to commute to an off-campus job. Having a job on campus does not mean that you have to work long, hard hours. Many students only work 5-10 hours a week.

There are several different areas of the College where you can work to make some extra cash. The cafeterias are always looking for help – you can work in the dish room, clean tables, or even bake desserts! Lots of students work in the cafeterias and enjoy the work. Another common job around campus is that students can be a Teacher’s Assistant for a professor. I am a TA for an Accounting professor and I really enjoy it. TA’s do tasks such as grade papers, grade homework, make copies, or input data. This is a great job because often you can work right from your dorm, and the scheduling is typically very informal because it is up to you and the professor to negotiate hours.

One other option you have is to work as a desk attendant, which is a very simple job. For example, you may work an hour or two in the lobby of a dorm building just to keep an eye on things and be there to answer questions that one may have. You can even do homework on the job! I recently asked my friend, Isabella, whether she preferred her on-campus job or her off-campus job at the outlet mall. She answered, “I am a big fan of on-campus jobs. It is not only convenient, but I save so much time driving to and from work. Plus, I do not have to spend money on gas! I also like that the work is very flexible and that the College understands that college students are busy. Plus, it is very low key and I often can do my homework while I am on the clock at my desk job! It is a double win!”  There are many other jobs available around campus and it should not be not very hard to find something that interests you!

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Making the Most of your College Career: Student Employment

Student employment is easily one of the best opportunities that students have on campus. Supervisors are friendly and flexible – they know that you are a full-time student with many responsibilities. There are many fun positions on campus that will allow you to gain work experience as well as amazing life lessons.

Here are some of the many campus employment opportunities for students:

  • Teaching Assistant: Professors will often offer this to students they know well and who have proven their responsibility. This involves activities such as grading papers and assessments, but can also include taking attendance and proofreading works as well.
  • Dining Hall Staff: The three main dining halls on campus are called Hicks, MAP (Mary Anderson Pew) Cafe, and the GeDunk. Responsibilities include cleaning, dish washing, and taking care of equipment. Customer service experience is very important to post-collegiate employers.
  • Lobby Attendants: This entails monitoring a single selected lobby on campus. Buildings where this is often required are Memorial, Ketler, Harker, MAP, MEP (Mary Ethel Pew) and Colonial dormitories. These attendants monitor those entering and exiting the building.
  • Admissions Secretary: This involves responding to questions on the Grove City website while simultaneously scheduling student interviews and even tours as well. This is a good way to gain some mild administrative experience.
  • Admissions Tour Guide: Visitors often come to campus to see what Grove City is really like. This involves giving tours to prospective students while teaching the history and purpose of the College. You get to meet many nice people through this opportunity while being the face of the College for hundreds of families.
  • Alumni Staff: Working for the Carnegie Alumni Center can take many forms. This can involve preparing for big events, and it can also involve preparing small gifts and favors for visitors. Another opportunity within this category is being a Crimson Caller – these are individuals who call alumni requesting support for their alma mater.
  • Bookstore Cashier: This involves working at the college bookstore and serving customers that come to shop for clothing, books, and supplies. The bookstore is an exciting place to work and there are many enjoyable tasks to perform here.
  • Career Services Assistant: The Career Services Office takes their mission seriously. They have a reputation for being one of the best in college services for placement. This opportunity allows you to help schedule appointments, assist with resume workshops, and help in advertising big events throughout the year. This is a great job for meeting many business professionals, you will inevitably gain some networking in the process.
  • Chapel Staff: As a Christian campus, Grove City College prioritizes the chapel program. You can play an important role in this by scanning students’ IDs, leading in prayer, and making announcements at the beginning of chapel. I know many students who do not regret taking this amazing opportunity.
  • Library Assistant: This involves maintaining organization of the campus library. Assistants help students with questions and offer guidance as to where they can find good resources for their coursework.
  • Mail Room Assistant: With this opportunity you can help organize the campus mail that arrives for students. Grove City’s mail room is a bustling place and there is always something interesting to do. Much responsibility comes with operating the mail that comes for students.
  • Sport Event Security: Many students enjoy attending sporting events. Did you know there is a way for you to get paid for watching other students play? This position involves monitoring the crowds and ensuring that everyone is safe and that there are no threats to athletes and spectators.
  • Lifeguard: As a lifeguard you watch over the pool during its open hours of access. You are responsible for the safety of those who come to enjoy this fun facility.
  • Tutoring: This is a great opportunity to share your knowledge with students who are struggling in a particular subject area. If you pass a class with a grade which meets certain standards of subject-matter expertise, then you are an ideal tutor. Helping others is a great way to expand your own knowledge. I have found that you truly master a subject when you teach it to others.

The people that I have had the pleasure of serving with at the Student Union GeDunk have been a tremendous blessing to me. They are more than coworkers, they are true friends to me. I have so much respect for these incredible people. I would encourage all students to take a look at open opportunities and fulfill a need on campus.

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What is a Teacher’s Assistant?

College is a busy few years. Between schoolwork, sports, clubs, and Greek life, many students have trouble managing a schedule, and having a job is not even a thought. Being a teacher’s assistant is a flexible and rewarding job. A teacher’s assistant is a student that helps a professor with grading assignments, such as homework and papers. It is a pleasant college job because you often do not have to be present somewhere for a set schedule. Often, the professor hands you a stack of homework to grade with an answer key and you can do it from the comfort of your own dorm. All you need to do is keep track of your hours and log them into the system. It is often even therapeutic and rewarding to not only feel like you are accomplishing something while getting paid, but you are helping a professor that has a lot of his plate as well.

Professors are very appreciative of students who offer their time to help them with their coursework. The job also allows you to form a stronger connection with the professor. It is often refreshing after a long day of classes to meet up with the professor for a few minutes to go over some work and maybe even chat about life. It is an enjoyable job because it is flexible and often professors are very lenient on deadlines. It is rare that I have been told that something needs done by tomorrow and that it is urgent. Usually, there is little pressure to complete your assignments because professors understand that like them, we are busy too. It is a relatively easy and enjoyable way to earn some extra cash while being a college student.

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Grove City College: Working a Job While in College

Being a student in college takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but also a large sum of money in most cases. Summer jobs or internships are a good way to help save money to put towards college. But that does not help cover all of the costs that accrue. Between tuition, books, extra food, car payments, and whatever else may come up, there are a lot of expenses to think about. At Grove City College, there are many on-campus job opportunities for students. Anything from cafeteria help, bookstore, tutoring positions, tour guides, and many jobs in between, there is something to fit the interest of most people.

Sometimes, on-campus jobs can get applied for and taken very quickly though. If this is the case, or none of the options interest you, off-campus jobs are always an option as well. Whether you live locally and already have a job coming into school, or if you apply for one once you arrive, it is always a possible option for extra income. There are many nice restaurants, fast food chains, and stores that are interested in hiring college-aged students. Grove City Premium Outlets, only about 10 minutes away from Grove City College, is a great option when searching for a job. The outlet mall offers over 120 stores as well as a food court for people interested in the food industry.

As for myself, I have had a job at the outlet mall since the summer before my freshman year here at Grove City College. I decided to continue working throughout the school year as well rather than trying to get an on-campus job. Personally, having the off-campus job helped me to have a different change of pace every once in a while along with gaining retail experience and make some extra cash.

There are many opportunities to make some extra cash while in college, whether it is on-campus or off-campus. It gives you a way to make some extra cash, builds experience, and helps to improve time-management skills.

 

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On-Campus Job Spotlight: Sports Information Assistant

Sports Information Assistant

https://vimeo.com/359676576

Tell me about the typical day as a Sports Information Assistant in the Athletic Department.

I normally work three times a week for an hour each day. During that time, I help our Sports Information Director, Ryan Briggs, with various tasks. Some of the things I do include researching opponents for upcoming games and matches, processing rosters, schedules, and details for the sporting events on campus. The majority of my work is done on the computer and there are other Sports Information Assistants that help get these tasks done.

Who encouraged you to work on-campus?

My basketball coach, Chelle Fuss, helped me get this job. She recommended me to Mr. Briggs, and ever since then I have been working with him for the past two years. I am very grateful to have a coach who cares so much about her players because without her I am not sure what on-campus job I would have.

How has this position helped you grow as a student?

Working with the athletic department has helped me become more knowledgeable about the sports going on around campus. I am more aware of the athletes who play sports here at Grove City College and that allows me to create more connections and network. In terms of growth, I am more involved with the Grove City College community, and I look forward to growing my relationships here.

How do you balance working on-campus, playing a varsity sport, and academics?

I have a lot of experience with time management coming from high school, and I know my priorities are academics first, then sports and a job. It is important to get yourself disciplined to be in a daily routine and make a schedule that you can stick to.

Do you have any advice for a prospective student who is interested in working on-campus?

I recommend if you are looking to work, I would do an on-campus job because it gets you more connected within the Grove City community. You become closer with professionals around campus, which leads to more connections when you graduate and go to the “real” world. Plus, it is always nice to make money while at college!

Sports Information Assistant

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Inside the Life of a Grove City College Tour Guide

As a tour guide here at Grove City, I am presented with the unique opportunity of working with the College’s Admissions staff on a regular basis. However, the most exciting aspect of being a Grove City College Student Ambassador is meeting and interacting with prospective students every week. It gives me a chance to share some of my wonderful experiences with others who are interested in Grove City.

Tour guides have anything but routine weeks. Each guide has a designated day and time in which they will give a tour once a week to prospective students and their parents. However, Grove City also offers a plethora of event days for students who are interested in a more specialized campus experience. The Admissions Office offers days like Senior Crimson Day, which is specifically for seniors who have expressed interest in Grove City but who may be interested in giving the school one last look before applying. We also offer more specialized days like Music Major Day and Hopeman School Discovery Day. These two events allow students who are interested in more specialized majors to talk with staff, and experience what an average day looks like for a student in that field of study.

This past week, the Admissions team worked tirelessly to put on Music Major Day on Monday, and then organized hosted Hopeman School Discovery Day on Saturday. Tour guides of the school have the distinct responsibility of interacting with prospective students and their families on all of these special event days. The other tour guides and I helped to give our guests a well-rounded view of what life on our campus is like. We did this by not only giving tours of campus, but also by facilitating meetings with department heads and helping the other events of the day to run smoothly. With several more Admission event days to come, every tour guide on campus will continue to work hard on perfecting their craft.

The Admissions staff is always looking for more tour guides who have their own unique skills and stories that will benefit the schools search for students. The tour guides on campus are enthusiastic students and we all love what we do. We all hope that we are able to make a positive impact on prospective students’ college searches.

To see what other event days Grove City has this year, click on the link: http://www.gcc.edu/Info/Events-News/Admissions-Events/Open-Houses

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On-Campus Jobs: Call Team Member of the Admissions Telecommunications Department

Grove City is really unique in its offerings of various on campus jobs, as well as off campus jobs. With so many local business, and some national chain stores nearby, it can be overwhelming at times. Thankfully, Grove City works with student’s schedules, and offers many on campus jobs with varying tasks.

This semester, I have had the fortunate opportunity to work as a call team member for Grove City Admissions. I started in the position beginning in late August when the semester began, and recently they have been looking for more callers to add to their team!

This position entails several tasks. Steve Vago is the organizer of the Call-Team, and is regularly interacting with the call team, whether through training, aiding a particular question, or guiding prospective students though their application process. I collaborate with Steve and get the script for the week, which is our guide to who our target audience is that we will be calling, as well as the reason for our call.

Additionally, we engage in conversation with the prospective student and answer personable questions about our own experience at Grove City. Often, high school students we call wish to learn more about juggling various activities, or as about the food on campus. What better way to show them about Grove City than to have its own students give credibility and their personal stories to others? Not only does it benefit the prospective student, but provides positive customer service experience and PR for the college.

Through this working position, I have noticed countless benefits that will be applicable to the real world. Interpersonal communication is vital in both the work place and daily life, and conversations call team members are having will enhance those skills. Additionally, the supervisor/employee relationship is very strong with this team. Steve will come in and is very understanding with students’ busy schedules and is intentional about getting to know his team members and how he can best help them succeed and relate to prospective students.

It has also been a blessing to have two other members of my housing group as call team members. Through our interactions in that setting, we have grown closer in friendship and brotherhood, and well as better collaborating and problem-solving through certain questions one of us might not be able to answer right away.

I strongly encourage students to really consider applying for an on campus position. You will learn invaluable skills and make lasting relationships with the people you work for and with.

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Jobs on Campus: Can I be a TA as an Undergrad?

Teaching Assistant at Grove City College

Typically at large universities Teaching Assistants, or TAs, are graduate students who assist with undergraduate classes. But we do not have graduate programs at Grove City College, so do we have TAs?

Yes, we do. There are many classes at Grove City College that are assisted by one or more TAs, especially classes with hands-on, practical experiences. As an Entrepreneurship and English major I have more experience with these two departments than the others at the College, but both departments offer opportunities for students to assist their professors. The Entrepreneurship department has more opportunities for students to become TAs, whereas the English department has more opportunities for students to be Student Assistants.

I will go over the basic differences between TAs and Student Assistants here, but check out my post about being a Student Assistant if you are curious about that side of things. The major difference between a Teaching Assistant and a Student Assistant is that a Teaching Assistant typically assists with a specific class, and often works both with their supervising professor as well as closely with the students in that class, while a Student Assistant typically works behind the scenes with their supervising professor, and not necessarily with other students. There are many opportunities for both kinds of positions at Grove City College.

If you are a TA, you are likely a TA for a specific class that you have taken before and done well in. In my experience as a student in classes with a TA and as a TA myself, TAs will typically work closely with students in and out of class to help them understand the course material and to understand and complete assignments well and on time. There are often TAs for science classes with labs, and in the Entrepreneurship department there are often TAs for classes that require extensive group work and practical applications of skills.

The great thing about this position is that it is very easy to fit into your schedule. Generally TAs attend regular class periods for the class they are working in, so it is important to not schedule another class at this time. Other than this, however, most of a TA’s job can be done on their own time, or during meetings set up with students in the class.

This past semester I was a TA for an Entrepreneurship class in which students are put into teams and then compete in an online business simulation throughout the semester. I regularly attended class meetings and met with the professor on a semi-regular, as-needed basis. I also met with various teams from the class throughout the week in order to answer questions, assist in game strategy, and work through team dynamics.  Due to the flexible nature of these meetings, I would work anywhere from 3-10 hours a week in this position, based on if a major assignment for the class was due, if teams needed help with their dynamics, or how busy I was in my classes.

Many Grove City College students are a TA at some point in their time at the school, and it is certainly possible to be a TA as an undergraduate.

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On-Campus Jobs: Business Manager of “The Collegian”

In order to have a successful collegiate newspaper, there are countless individuals working behind the scenes to create content, manage the distribution, etc.

I had the chance to talk to one of the members of the Collegian’s staff who holds in a unique position within this campus organization. Jesse Peterson is a (now) December graduate who majored in communications during his time here. He held the role of “Business Manager” within this organization.

What kinds of tasks did this position entail for you?

“I was involved in the acquisition of advertisements for the Collegian and managed some of the financial duties that the Collegian dealt with. In addition, I was the person responsible for getting the weekly paper and then distributing it throughout the various campus locations.”

Can you talk more about the distribution process? I heard it was a more unique experience!

“Yes, it’s funny you should ask that! When we get the newspaper, it is printed up in Meadville, towards Allegheny College. Every Friday morning I get up and leave campus around 4 a.m. to drive up to Allegheny and collect the printed papers, put them in my car, and come back to campus. I am responsible for making sure that the newspapers are on the stands by the time most buildings open (so around 7:30 a.m. – ish). It’s sometimes a tiring thing to drive an hour there and back with the newspapers, but I’ve gained a lot of good experience from it.”

How has this job contributed to your experience at Grove City?

“I would say that I learned quite a bit of discipline having to get up so early on a Friday morning. The advertising aspect of the position engaged me in business to business conversations, and that skill is valuable when it comes to real world experiences. At Grove City, I’ve connected with other members of the writing staff, as well as numerous professors and individuals who influence the writings and creation process. Lastly, I’ve been fortunate to have some of my friends ride along with me when I get the paper, so there have been great relationships formed and improved through having this position. I’m very grateful for the opportunity, and know that while it is a bit of work, the lessons learned and experience are worth it!”

A big thanks to Jesse Peterson for speaking to me about his position, and a shout out to the entire Collegian staff who works tirelessly to get the paper out every week! Thank you for your hard work!

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So You Want to be an RA?

RA Staff MAP West

If you love getting to know and caring for the people around you, the Resident Assistant position at Grove City College might be right for you! A Resident Assistant, or RA, is a full-time student who lives on campus in the residence halls and is responsible for facilitating community on his/her hall and upholding policy across campus (among numerous other things). It is a great opportunity to be involved in campus and serve the people living around you.

You are able to apply for the RA position for your sophomore through senior year. All residence halls have RAs, freshmen buildings and upperclassmen buildings alike, so there are opportunities to be an RA for numerous demographics. In upperclassmen buildings you will be the only RA on your hall and will likely have a roommate of your choosing (though some buildings offer the opportunity to live in a single room as an RA). While it shocks many people that as an RA I still have a roommate, I love it. My roommate is one of my biggest sources of support and helps to create a sense of community on the hall just as much as I do. Some freshmen buildings have two RAs per hall, meaning that you will have a roommate who is an RA and the two of you will work together to care for your hall.

RAs work in teams with three to 11 RAs (depending on the size of your residence hall) and one Resident Director (RD). New this year, MAP North, the primary residence for freshmen women on campus, also has an Assistant Resident Director (ARD) as part of their team. These teams are great opportunities to learn and grow in both a professional setting and a personal setting – they will likely become some of your closest friends and will understand your experience as an RA and student better than most others on campus.

As an RA you have the opportunity to plan events (called programs) that will help your residents learn and grow beyond the classroom in addition to building stronger relationships with one another. These are very neat, as Residence Life provides funding for these programs so there is really a lot that you can do with them. These events really shape people’s college experiences and I highly encourage you to attend RA programs even if you are not an RA yourself.

You will also have duty responsibilities as an RA, which each residence hall does slightly differently. In general, you will be “on duty” one night per week, which means that you will have to be in your building and do some rounds of the building to check for facility concerns, to uphold policy, and to check for safety concerns. When you are on duty you are “on call” and if a resident in your building experiences an issue, you are the first one they would call and/or come to. These nights are great opportunities to hang out in your room with your door open and see who is around to hang out with.

Being an RA also means weekly staff meetings with your building staff and bi-weekly or weekly one on one meetings with your direct supervisor, the Resident Director (RD) for your building. Otherwise, being an RA is a very flexible schedule – you choose when to run programs, you have input into the duty schedule, and you get to choose when to knock on doors and invite people over.

The RA position has shaped my college experience entirely. I am currently a senior and have been an RA since my sophomore year. For both my sophomore and junior years I was an RA on the same hall in a suite style building and my residents were primarily seniors. This year I am in a different suite style building and my residents are primarily freshmen and transfer students. All three years have been amazing experiences and God has grown me so much through them. The other RAs who I have worked with and each of my RDs have shaped me and supported me through my difficult semesters and my easier semesters, and I have definitely made lifetime friends through this position. If you are wanting to be an RA during college, Grove City College is the place to do it.