Harding Magazine

The dirt on top jobs

Students contribute greatly to the workforce at the University. For the 2006-07 school year, more than 1,600 found employment resulting in a gross payroll of $2.2 million. Some work to pay tuition; others for spending money. Many gain internship or apprenticeship experience. Based on conventional wisdom and anecdotal evidence, a Top 10 guide to on-campus student jobs follows, in alphabetical order.

Admissions Office
Sophomore English major Elizabeth Heyen of Enid, Okla., has worked in admissions two semesters and enjoys developing relationships with prospective students. Among her responsibilities are calling high school students, picking them up at the airport when they visit, giving campus tours to them and their families, and representing the University at events around the country. She recently attended a conference in Albuquerque, N.M., and then treated six high school students to dinner to talk about their college expectations.

"It's fun to be the one who answers their questions about college and explains why Harding might be a good fit for them," she says. "It has even more meaning when you know that you're influencing their choices."

Aramark Classic Fare Catering
Most campus jobs limit students to 10 hours per week. But Classic Fare Catering doubles that, which is helpful to those working through school. "If you need 20 hours a week, you can get them," says Janice Yates, a senior communication disorders major from Memphis, Tenn.

This is her third semester with catering, and she squeezes all of her hours into the weekend, concentrating on schoolwork the rest of the week. She often works during Aramark's popular Sunday Bison Brunch. "I get to see faculty members and get to know people around Searcy," Yates says. The free meal at the end of the shift offers one more incentive.

Brackett Library
Bonuses enjoyed by student workers in Brackett Library come in the form of home-cooked meals and TLC. Each year the library staff honors its 50 students with a casserole day in the fall, soup day in the spring, a plate of holiday treats in December, an Easter basket in the spring, and a birthday bag at the appropriate time.

Another benefit is the Chris Broadaway Endowment Fund, which provides financial assistance to student workers who participate in mission trips.

No wonder many of these students stay on as long as they are on campus. Upon graduation, each one receives a Bible and card expressing appreciation and words of wisdom.

Campus Activities Board
According to Corey McEntyre, director of Campus Life, the positions with Campus Activities Board - known on campus as "CAB" - should be the top eight on this list.

Ivy Chambers, a junior human resources major from Albuquerque, N.M., would probably agree. She had the opportunity to meet Tyler Hilton backstage when he performed in Benson Auditorium last fall.

Positions range from office staff, who work on such tasks as correspondence with talent agencies, to marketing representatives, who help promote and advertise all campus events to the University community. While the former job pays by the hour, compensation for the latter includes free admission to events and a T-shirt.

CAB student workers have a strong voice in deciding which bands play at the University and - as Chambers' experience demonstrates - a better chance of meeting those performers.

Computer Lab Attendant
Molly Morris, a senior print journalism major from Indianapolis, took a second on-campus job her junior year that allows her to practice writing skills, but she did not give up her post in the public computer labs. "I'll probably want to keep it until I graduate," she says. "It's great for meeting new people. It can get busy, and you do have a lot of responsibility, but there's also some downtime when you can study."

This semester, an average of 10 students applied for each open position. Because lab attendants receive specialized training, they receive higher pay than many other on-campus jobs.

Honors Symposium
"The counselors actually operate the program," says Dr. Jeffrey T. Hopper, director. "They are free to design activities and generally contribute their creativity to the program." Among those activities are helping at Tahkodah's global village and dressing up for the famed tabernacle experience.

J.A. Wiser ('00) served as a counselor in 1998 and 1999. "The best part of the job is the ability, as a student, to become even closer friends with many of the professors," he says. "I also got to know and befriend some of the best students in the country."

Public Relations Photographer
Shooting pictures allows the student backstage or front-row access - whatever he or she needs to capture the event. "I feel like when I'm taking pictures at a game, I have the best seat in the house," says Craig Rainbolt, a junior nursing major from Searcy. "I've had basketball players literally jumping over me in Rhodes."

Rainbolt has worked in the Public Relations Office since his freshman year. Other memorable assignments of his include a seat on the University plane to Dallas for a Rangers game and documenting students' tornado relief efforts in Dumas, Ark.

Public Safety
Public Safety student personnel operate in one of the most diverse and unpredictable work environments. From aiding students who lock themselves out of cars to investigating campus disturbances, the 15 to 20 individuals employed each semester oversee a wide range of responsibilities.

Rebecka Ockay, a senior child and family sciences major from Watertown, N.Y., has been an officer since January. During the day shift, she patrols campus and responds to any calls for assistance from students, faculty or staff. "It's not so much police work and stopping crime," she says. "It's more service-oriented."

Resident Assistant
"This is a very well-paid position for the amount of time you put in," says Tania Davis, Sears Hall residence life coordinator.

Davis, who previously served as RLC in Shores Hall, describes an RA as a liaison between students and the administration. RAs serving freshmen, she says, strive to acquaint them with campus and help them as they adjust to being away from home for the first time. Upperclassmen, on the other hand, may rely on them for conflict resolution.

RAs also have first shot at desk hours, for which they receive additional pay. "You need to be aware and alert, but it's OK if you study," says Davis. "A lot of students like the social aspect of it too - seeing their friends as they come in. Students love jobs where they can study and pick their own hours."

Sports Information
The primary job is keeping statistics for the University's athletics teams, but duties range from staffing the scoreboard to operating the game clock to writing press releases - and this year promises to be an exciting one. One weekend alone this fall, an away football game, home volleyball tournament, two home soccer games, and cross country alumni meet kept student workers busy. This spring, these students are scheduled to work the first and second rounds of the men's NCAA basketball tournament hosted by University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

For those pursuing careers in sports information, a post in this office offers on-the-job training. Matt Price ('04), a former worker, now serves as director of promotions for the Huntsville Stars minor league baseball team.