Employment: Need money?
Published April 11, 2006
Maybe you're worried about paying for school after the UM system Board of Curators approved a 5 percent tuition increase last month. Maybe you're worried about gasoline prices and utilities. Or maybe you figure you could use a little more spending money.
Many students without prior part-time work experience might not know where to start looking for a job. The truth is that countless opportunities exist on and near the MU campus for students.
Eight students shared their part-time work experiences with The Maneater. Each one works at an on-campus or downtown Columbia location close enough to walk to from campus. The advice offered by each student outlines the job, perks and perils of getting a nearby part-time job.
Name: Kelly Garrett
Year: Senior
Business: University Bookstore
Job: Cashier
Because of its location, the University Bookstore is a popular target for students to find on-campus work, senior Kelly Garrett said.
Garrett, a former employee of The Maneater, said the bookstore has open positions at the beginning of each semester. Garrett landed her job the previous summer as a temporary worker and was kept on for the school year.
Garrett's duties include operating the checkout counter, counting and tracking inventory as well as folding clothes.
"You get to work with a lot of adults, in addition to all of the students you see," Garrett said.
Garrett said the University Bookstore is flexible in scheduling around students' busy lives.
Name: Andrew St. John
Year: Junior
Business: Memorial Union
Job: Guest services representative
Junior Andrew St. John said that he never encountered any trouble with scheduling and that he would definitely recommend his job to others.
Guest services representatives manage the front desk of Memorial Union and help visitors find where they need to go.
"It's a blast," he said. "I have a great time doing it, especially because of my coworkers."
The job has a low turnover rate so new openings are rare, St. John said.
"Getting this job is a pure stroke of luck," he said
St. John said he knew people who had the job before he applied.
Name: Jameel Feshitan
Year: Senior
Business: Campus Dining Services
Job: Cashier and cook
Senior Jameel Feshitan works for Campus Dining Services at the Rollins Dining Hall.
Feshitan said the job is easy to get because CDS hires many new workers for each semester.
Feshitan said he enjoys the many perks the job offers, including discounted meals while at work for 66 cents.
But he said he does not like working in the dish room.
"Everybody has to work dishes at least once a month," Feshitan said, "but besides that, I love my job. It's pretty nice to work with students because we're all in the same boat. All of my managers are students, and they're pretty lenient."
Name: Vanessa Rudloff
Year: Sophomore
Business: Cold Stone Creamery, 904 Elm St. #102
Job: Ice cream server
Sophomore Vanessa Rudloff offers up custom-mixed ice cream with a tune and a smile.
Rudloff said she enjoys working at Cold Stone Creamery because the management is flexible at scheduling, especially for college students.
Cold Stone seeks friendly, outgoing people who also can sing because employees sing a song every time money is put into the tip jar, Rudloff said.
She applied for jobs at many local places before working at Cold Stone.
Her advice for finding a good part-time job is to be persistent in applying and to apply at many places.
Name: Matt Range
Year: Senior
Business: Shakespeare's, 225 S. Ninth St.
Job: Cook and bartender
For someone looking for their first part-time work, a job at Shakespeare's is easy for students to get, senior Matt Range said.
He said the restaurant is usually looking to hire new employees at the beginning of each semester.
Starting salary at Shakespeare's is usually minimum wage, but Range points out extra money can be made from tips.
Range said great management is his reason for choosing to work at Shakespeare's.
"The management really works to fit your schedule, and I really enjoy the environment and the people I see every day," Range said. "It can be hard work, but it's definitely lots of fun."
Name: Molly Mulcahy
Year: Sophomore
Business: Cherry Street Artisan, 111 S. Ninth St.
Job: Server
Sophomore Molly Mulcahy got her job at the Cherry Street Artisan a few months ago and said it was the first time she saw the establishment hiring in years.
Most workers at the Artisan remain there for years, and once they leave, positions are usually filled from within, Mulcahy said.
"My bosses are great," Mulcahy said. "I can talk with them comfortably and play around with them, but they know I can be serious when I need to be."
Name: Keith Hastings
Year: Senior
Business: W.G. Grinders, 33 N. Ninth St.
Job: Cook and server
Hastings has worked at W.G. Grinders for more than three years.
Hastings said he's stayed with the job because of the schedule flexibility and the early closing time — 9 p.m. — which allows him time for schoolwork and to have a social life.
Employees get sandwiches at half price and, after a year of working at Grinders, employees can get free food.
"There isn't a high turnover rate here," Hastings said. "People like to work here for along time. It's not really hard to find jobs if you look around. Talk to friends because a simple connection can really get you places."