The best job I've had so far was the job I took at my campus recreation center at the end of my freshman year. I remember being excited simply for the convenience and for the fact that I was going to have some cushy part-time income. Little did I know, up to this very moment, that job would come to mean so much more to me.
As I mentioned, working on campus is simply convenient, especially if you live in a residence hall or nearby student housing. There is nothing easier than leaving your room or classroom and walking, biking, or riding the shuttle straight to work.
And if you live off-campus, it's a big plus to save on gas since you can leave your car on campus while you're busy all day.
Working on campus is also a really good way to get involved. Personally, I wasn't into the Greek scene and I was also a little shy when it came to joining clubs by myself.
However, like almost any job, work gives you an opportunity- basically forces you, if we're being honest- to connect with the people around you, and you may find that it's pretty much like being in a club or organization.
Some student jobs are more interactive than others thus giving you more of that involvement feel. For me, it was a great way to meet people, be a part of university events and happenings, and feel like I did fit in somewhere.
And the nice part was, I just had to show up. So if you'd like to be a part of something but worry you may not have the time to commit to extra responsibilities, the responsibility of just showing up to work is easy peasy!
The last two points I want to mention are the closest to my heart. One great thing not many people realize is that at its core, the Student Employment agenda heavily focuses on professional development.
You might think "Eh, this little student desk job isn't going to do much for me," and depending on your path in life, that might end up being true. Doubt it, though.
Because for many of us, working with our university supervisors and being given the opportunities they provide for us has proven to be so beneficial to our advancement as young professionals regardless of our individual fields of interest.
My campus job offered us promotions, training sessions, the chance to travel to conferences in and out of state, multiple leadership opportunities, and overall encouraged our growth while we were under their wings.
I truly would not be where I am today if it weren't for the transferable skills I gathered and the never-ending guidance of my professional mentors.
If I haven't yet convinced you to apply, here is my final attempt to persuade: Working on campus opens up your world to some of the best relationships you may ever make. You will form relationships with your supervisors.
You will form relationships with the people you serve in your position. And most of all, I can almost guarantee you will enjoy the heck out of your student coworkers. You're all in the same boat!
Now you get to come to the same place and bond with each other over not only your shared work woes but #collegelife and all it entails. Working at the recreation center was an advantage because it employs so many student workers.
(Other departments may be smaller, but those positions are still worth going after.) I started my campus job when I was just 18. Now, I'm graduated, almost 23, and I still keep in contact with a few student workers who trained me, some I worked alongside and trained, and my supervisors to whom I give credit for the wonderful position I've found myself in today.
So really, these people can turn into more than just coworkers. And if you have a job where you're one of the only student workers, still put in the effort! Build yourself a stack of great references and you'd be surprised at how quickly those references may score you an internship or another job in the future!
College is really so awesome. It exposes you to countless amazing experiences and it gets even better when you go after every opportunity thrown your way.
Take everyone that you can fit in your planner so you're fully equipped to charge into the "Real World" after graduation. As far as working on campus, approach it as not "just a job," but as one of those opportunities and it will take you farther than you could've imagined.
My old coworker Sam once said on Instagram, "Rushing Campus Rec was the best thing I've ever done," and I couldn't agree more. Like, favorite, retweet.
