As I continue on my second year working for Bowling Green State University's Music Library, I've been very sentimental and even appreciative of the blessing I have to work on campus. Whether you work in a dining hall, at a residence hall desk, or at the library like me, there is a sense of comfort and formality that comes with working at your university. Even if I know it won't last past my undergraduate career at all, here are just a few reasons why I love my campus job.
1. I know it's in town.
While some of my friends love their jobs they commute to in neighboring cities, there is a comfort in knowing you don't have to voyage away to bring in the money. For someone who didn't have a car until this year and still walks almost everywhere, it makes things incredibly easier.
2. Your job works around your schedule.
From 10-21 credit hours, your campus bosses will try their best to get you some hours. Even if you only have a few a week, you'll be making more money than non-workers. If you do have more time, then you get to enjoy more hours and more money!
3. You can still advance.
Whether it's a regular raise or even a promotion, many campuses and their student jobs provide opportunities to award their best employees: whether it be through gift cards, candy, or the previous top-level incentives. Plus, this just means it looks better on a resumé.
4. You get to meet different students!
I have coworkers who are music majors (which makes sense because I'm in the music library), a couple art majors, and even one going into biomedical sciences. Having people to talk to and of course, give shifts away to, makes college even more enjoyable.
5. You make excellent references.
While any job makes an excellent reference, one that can vouch that you do well working while going to classes and possibly internships and extracurricular groups is a golden one. Be kind to your campus bosses, because they just might put a good word in for you somewhere else!
6. You appreciate what it takes to make a college
There are so many parts of even a small college or university that are needed to keep things running smoothly. You get an inside view of why student workers truly are valued because, without you, it can be chaos to make it happen.
7. You learn to utilize campus resources.
Whether you work in the library, the study abroad office, or even a dining hall—you learn life hacks and secrets that remedy the college experience.
8. You learn to be a better worker.
While my hopeful career will still involve using similar resources, I personally know I won't probably work at a library forever. However, I will always need a work ethic and cooperation with others to do well at any job; that is definitely something fortified in me by my campus job.
9. You learn to be a better person.
This can go along with cooperation with others, which I just mentioned, but in reality: it consists of all of these points and more. Working while going to college makes you into a well-rounded and kinder person because you can empathize and be more efficient. If you're going into college this year or sometime soon, don't dismiss these opportunities!
