By David Scott
Custodial jobs are the least appealing jobs on campus, according to a recent online survey sponsored by BYU Magazine.
Custodial jobs received 43 percent of the votes for the least appealing job on campus. Coming in a distant second were Dining Services jobs with 19 percent of the votes.
'Sometimes I just want to dress up and look gorgeous,' said Bethany Braten, a senior from St. George, majoring in physical science education. 'It''s hard though if I have to go to work and clean.'
One of the most difficult aspects of the custodial job is that workers must clean up after fellow students, custodial workers said.
'Having to clean up after other people''s messes makes you aware that other people are slobs,' said Lori Conover, a building supervisor at Helaman Halls. 'It''s hard work. It''s not for wimps.'
Despite the low rating of custodial jobs, many custodial workers find positive aspects of the job.
Three benefits to custodial work include the flexible hours, proximity and low stress, said Daniel Ames, a sophomore from Idaho Falls, Idaho, majoring in political science.
'I don''t have to worry like a student who works somewhere like financial services or something,' Ames said. 'If I miss a spot, the world somehow manages to go on.'
On average, custodial students work approximately 20 hours a week. However, the times students work those 20 hours are sometimes negotiable.
'At the beginning of the semester they ask me what hours I want to work,' Ames said. 'As long as I do my job and get my work done, nobody really cares when I come into work.'
Though custodial jobs demand some physical labor, some students find it rewarding.
'It''s hard work. It''s not the worst, but it''s hard,' Conover said. 'When everything is clean, though, it gives you a really good sense of accomplishment.'
Students can still vote for the best and worst jobs on campus at http://magazine.byu.edu/poll2.tpl.