This semester, I was lucky enough to get an on-campus job. Seeing as Stony Brook hires tons of students every semester, I thought I would make a list as to the pros and cons of having an on-campus job.
The Pros:
The Hours Are Reasonable
Your superiors know that you’re a college student as well as an employee. Having to choose between going to work and going to class won’t be an issue.
The Hiring Standards are More Reasonable
Though they differ from job to job, on-campus employers know that college students, freshmen especially, aren’t going to have resumes as full as those who have been in the workforce for years.
The Location is Super Convenient
Whether you are a resident or commuter, working on campus keeps all your travel destinations in one place and saves you major gas, time, and energy!
You Get to Meet and Interact With Other Seawolves
Working on-campus lets you interact with other Stony Brook students, staff and faculty that you wouldn’t have met before. It makes you feel more connected to the Stony Brook community. You might even make a new friend!
It’s a Great Way to Build Connections and Beef-Up Your Resume
Working on campus allows you to build connections with your superiors and coworkers who are in the word of academia. It’s a great thing to put on your resume and you can ask your employer to be a reference or write you a letter of recommendation. The Cons:
People Might Not Take Your Job Seriously
I’ve been teased countless times by people who think that because I work at school, my job is “little” or I don’t have “a real job”. If that happens, don’t listen. Work is work, no matter where it happens.
The Location Might Not Be Your Friend at Times
If you commute, getting to work may sometimes prove a problem, especially if there’s snow.
The Hours Are Set
Some on-campus jobs may have a maximum amount of hours that you are allowed to work (you do need time to study). So if you’re not happy with the number of hours you work, you might not be able to add more.