On-campus jobs offer flexibility

Web site makes finding jobs as simple as posting a resume.

By Jaryd Wilson

Published Sept. 1, 2006

There are 185 part-time jobs waiting for you.

The MU online job search Web site, www.hiremizzougrads.com, reported 185 part-time jobs available on and off campus. Amanda Nell, director of employer relations in the Career Center, said that number is good.

"This is the busiest time of year for student job applicants," she said. "Everyone is trying to find jobs at the beginning of the school year, and 185 is a lot of jobs available."

In addition, many university facilities and services offer jobs that they do not post online for students to find.

"Typically, Campus Dining, the Rec Center, Residential Life and Ellis Library employ the most students," Nell said. "There are so many opportunities to get jobs on campus."

Senior Patrick Alfonsi, assistant manager of membership services at the Student Recreation Complex, said it was easy for him to find a job on campus.

"I was interested in fitness and exercising, so I came here and applied," said Alfonsi, who has been working at the Recreation Complex for four years. "It's very convenient and very close."

The jobs posted on www.hiremizzougrads.com are from employers who are trying to advertise their open positions and hire MU students.

"We encourage all employers to post their openings on this site because this is the site we direct all of our job-seeking students towards," Nell said. "We definitely encourage off-campus businesses to post because they don't get advertised as much."

Nell said the site also wants on-campus employers to post because some students can't work off campus. The Web site is set up so that students can upload résumés and apply for different jobs.

Junior Christina Jenkins, a student caller for the Mizzou Annual Fund for the Reynolds Alumni Center, said her employer makes scheduling easy.

"It's so convenient working on campus because people understand that you're a student, so they are flexible with hours," she said. "I can pick my schedule, which helps me work around classes."

The average pay of all jobs listed on www.hiremizzougrads.com is $7.79 per hour, which is $2.64 higher than the national minimum wage of $5.15.

Cindy Strine, who is associate director for programs at the Student Recreation Complex, needs to employ more than 300 students.

"We start at $6 an hour, but some positions start higher," Strine said. "There are a lot of opportunities for promotion, and we have a lot of different positions based on how much skill is required."

Strine also said MizzouRec Services is clear about its job requirements.

"We have high expectations of our employees, and there is not a lot of turnover, which is a good thing," she said.

MU's work-study program also provides part-time job opportunities. Work-study is part of a financial package in which the university guarantees a set amount of money for students in return for service at a location on campus.

Freshman Amy DiFrancesco works at the Reynolds Alumni Center as part of the work-study program.

"It's really great because the university guarantees you $700, and your hours are very flexible," DiFrancesco said. "I try to go in after classes, but I don't have a set schedule."

DiFrancesco is one of about 1,800 freshmen that chose to do work-study this semester.

"It's more like a salary," DiFrancesco said of her pay. "It's part of financial aid ... but it's still good money that I can use."