Need a job? In today’s economic situation that has left many jobless, Cabrini students are finding a way to beat the financial heat. With many students clamoring for two or more on campus positions, their education through experience is helping prepare them for the work environment of both today and tomorrow, while keeping money in their pockets and a smile on their faces.
Sam Hallowell, a sophomore math major, is certainly not timid about earning his keep on campus. In addition to his duties as a student, Hallowell collects regular paychecks as a student ambassador, classroom coach and a math resource center tutor, all of which he began this semester. His weekly job routine runs the gamete from prospective-student tours to tutoring calculus (and plenty of work in between). Despite his commitment to all three jobs and math-centered academia, Hallowell still finds time to explore his other interests, which include choir, theater, and math club treasurer. While he holds that all these pursuits do not interfere with each other, or schoolwork, Hallowell jokingly adds that making it to all his appointments “does involve a good deal of running” and “helps keep me in shape.” Even with his full schedule, Hallowell is sure to add that the biggest downside to his involvement is the lack of time to take advantage of even more on campus opportunities.
Stop by the Wolfington Center on the third floor of Founder’s Hall and you might catch a glimpse of Nicole Phinney, a junior criminology and psychology double-major. But you probably won’t see her there, or anywhere, for too long. Aside from working in the Wolfington Center organizing community service and campus outreach events, Phinney spends time tutoring in the math resource center and has recently helped start a new prison visitation and outreach program with Dr. Jeffrey Gingerich, acting dean for academic affairs. Far from being over-extended however, Phinney, who also holds an off campus job and helps teach karate, relishes her opportunity to help others through her work. “The best thing about all these jobs,” Phinney says, “is helping people because it gives you a sense of purpose as opposed to just sitting in your room doing nothing.” Far from using her 15 hours of weekly campus work as mere sources of pocket change, Phinney uses her work as an avenue to change the world.
“Everyone complains about the world,” Phinney said. “Do something about it, because here, it’s (these job opportunities) just a few feet from your dorm.”
The aforementioned, multi-job route is not for everyone though. Many Cabrini students are happy to get by on one job, their class schedule and their remaining free time. Take Kadee Schwalm, a junior business major, who spends a few hours a week working as a student ambassador in the admissions office. With the opportunity to sign up for jobs such as working information sessions or giving campus tours, Schwalm says her job is “never a burden. It’s always fun.” and credits her work with helping her “meet new people, make friends and connect with new students.”
John Kidd, a junior psychology and criminology double-major, also knows how to appreciate the good his job allows him to do without overloading his schedule.
The second year RA in Woodcrest dormitory knows that his night-time RA duties won’t interfere with classes and allow him time to play club lacrosse on the side, not to mention afford him discounted room and board. Kidd knows, however, that his job is more than just one of dorm police-work.
He said, “helping the few people a year that emotionally need some help.” is the best part of his job.
With all the extracurricular obligations students like Sam Hallowell and Nicole Phinney shoulder, one might get the impression that school work falls by the wayside. Nothing could be further from the truth. All the employed students interviewed made mention of how well their jobs integrated their class schedule, instead of the other way around.
“My employers do a very nice job of working around my classes.” Hallowell said, echoing, more or less, what all Cabrini campus jobs seek to do, put school work first.
For anyone interested in getting a job on campus at Cabrini, there are several ways to go about it. For tutoring or academic resource center jobs, getting an instructor’s recommendation is the standard procedure. Jobs in administrative offices or in admissions can be explored either by visiting their respective offices, or through the office for financial aid. While wages can vary greatly, depending on specific job and level of expertise, most students will receive between $7.25 and $10.00 an hour.
