Offices help students find jobs

Being a college student doesn't always mean having an empty wallet.

Incoming freshmen can balance their expenses by nabbing a job either on or off campus.

"It's part of your education when you come to State," said Gale Gower, assistant director for the Student Employment Office, 110 Student Services. "You learn so many other things - the types of skills that complement your academic knowledge - and those are the types of skills employees like to see."

The Student Employment Office serves 17,000 students who work full- or part-time on campus, while providing information for off-campus opportunities, as well. Gower said most students find it easy to supplement their studies with about 15 hours of work per week.

Students can find on-campus positions in cafeterias, at residence-hall reception desks and in various academic departments.

Kinesiology senior Kristen Mckenzie has worked at reception desks in the West Circle Complex for the past two years. She said the benefit to an on-campus job is flexibility.

"They're very understanding of class schedules," Mckenzie said. "And you're always working with students, so they're willing to pick up shifts for you."

But studio art junior Stephanie Colen said its hard to pass up off-campus salaries. Colen has held six jobs since she came to MSU, including one in the Hubbard Hall cafeteria and one as a telemarketer. She currently works at P.F. Changs China Bistro located in the Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing.

"Off campus means more money, but on campus, you just walk downstairs and you're at work," Colen said.

She also suggested that students stick to cafeteria or reception jobs during their first year.

"Start off on campus then get one off campus - once you have a car," she said.

Colen said she wished she had known about the resources offered by Career Services & Placement when she was job hunting.

The Career Development Center, located at 6 Student Services, is the starting point for job seekers. Workers at the center can help students create résumés and work on interviewing skills. The office also supplies surveys and studies to help students find the right position.

Students who wish to work off-campus should consult Placement Services, 113 Student Services. The office works to match students with employers by setting up job fairs and interviews with area business owners.

All on- and off-campus jobs catering to MSU students are listed through MonsterTRAK. Students can access the site by visiting csp.msu.edu/mtrak. The Career Services & Placement facilities will host its fall job fair Sept. 9 at the Union.