By Amy Allen
Each semester, BYU students must weigh the pros and cons of working while attending school.
At Student Employment Services, students find the information they need to decide whether or not to get a job and find the best job for them.
Nancy Hatch, Manager of Employment Services, said that although 80 percent of all college students in the country are employed, BYU is the largest employer of students across the nation.
'Most colleges and universities hire outside the university for full time staff,' Hatch said. 'Student employees contribute greatly to the mission of BYU. Their work experience also contributes significantly to their resume and pursuits of professional employment.'
Chrys Bates, an on-call employment clerk at Employment Services said while BYU employs over 11,000 students, many jobs go unclaimed each semester.
According to the US Department of Education, those who work while in school 'remain in school at a significantly higher rate than those who don''t.'
A survey of 12,000 Human Resource Specialists at United Parcel Service agreed that positive work experience is as significant to future employment success as grades.
The study also showed that former student employees have better work performance, more team skills, acceptance of supervision and better time management skills than those who were not student employees.
Some students who get jobs for the first time while attending school find it a challenge at first, but they quickly adjust and begin to see the benefits of working while attending classes.
'Working while attending school has made me a better student,' said Ashley Andros, 21, a senior in marketing communications from Sterling, Va.
Andros, who works at the Paint Shop, said she wasted time while not working her freshman year.
'Once I began working, I became a more effective student, and I now manage my time better,' she said.
A Cornwell University study found that through college employment, students explore career possibilities, enhance contacts, enrich academics, gain financial experience, enjoy social interaction and learn time management skills.
Tanya Price, 22, a senior from La Jara, Colo., majoring in home and family life, is a computer lab employee.
She said working helps her to learn skills that will be useful in future jobs, and also gives her more confidence in other areas of her life.