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October 12, 2004
Students reap benefits of working on campus
Zahid Arab
Mesa Legend
Mesa Community College students are utilizing employment opportunities on campus to provide an avenue for academic success, in contrast to their counterparts who seek jobs off campus.
By working on campus, MCC students are extended many amenities that can make earning an income and maintaining good grades synonymous. Through work-study programs, students who are in need of financial assistance can voluntarily choose if they would like to seek a campus position.
Studio Recording major Justin Miller, who is one of those who wanted to work on campus, is currently employed in the Center for Service-Learning. Miller states that his position has become very resourceful. “Part of my work study is to be able to do assignments when I don’t have anything else to do.” Instead of dealing with homework late at night, his campus position provides him with the avenue to do his coursework, as well as encourage him to be successful with a requirement to maintain a certain GPA level.
The office of Student Life and Leadership is another department that offers work-study participants the opportunity to gain valuable experience. Sunaik Lopez, Justice Studies Major, cites that one of the main pros of working on campus is the opportunity she has to become engaged in her school. Lopez said, “My job allows me to become familiar with the faculty and staff on a personal level, it’s convenient and has opened the door to many connections I would not have had otherwise.”
Mark Alexander, who also works in the Office of Student Life and Leader-ship, believes another attraction of being on campus is his work schedule, which can be flexible to cater to his involvement in student clubs and activities.
Ariane Manzo, who is currently employed in the Career/Re-Entry Services Office is exposed first-hand to the difference being able to work on campus makes in the lives of students. Manzo, who also enjoys the benefits of working at school, reaffirms her job selection after seeing the negative effects it has on her boyfriend. Manzo’s boyfriend is a full-time student who also holds a full-time job. Because of his work obligations, he is not able to start his homework until after he gets home around midnight.
Career/Re-Entry Services Office Coordinator Suzanne Hipps, who coins her department as MCC’s “best kept secret,” believes that students working on campus hold not only personal benefits, but for the school as well. Hipps said, “Having students work on campus benefits the department due to the fact that they have good quality people that can relate to other students.” By being able to use personal experiences as a foundation to provide these acquaintances with the guidance they need, Hipps believes student workers enhance the campus departments significantly, while gaining quality work experience that will help build strong resumes to pursue their future goals.
Although student job opportunities on campus offer a wide array of positive aspects, it does, however, limit students as well. Work-study programs allow students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week on a pay scale that starts at $5.65 per hour and tops out at $7.00 per hour. For many self-supporting students, this is simply not enough to make ends meet.
Hipps recommends any student in this situation to utilize the many resources offered by the Career/Re-Entry Services department. Information about internship programs, resume building, interview skills, and other essential tips on landing that “perfect job” are available to all MCC students.
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