By SULGEE LEE
Since the economy has dropped, gas prices and unemployment have gone up. Regardless of the economic circumstances, most college students still have to find a way to make ends meet in order to pay tuition and rent.
BYU students have resources to find a job either on- or off-campus, and it’s not impossible to get hired as long as they keep certain values in mind.
“Be patient and be consistent,” said Collette Blackwelder, the manager at the Student Employment Office. “These are the best two pieces of advice I can give.”
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“They think we’ll find their jobs for them, but we don’t,” said Lauren Harris, a freshman who works as an employment services representative. “They need to do a lot of searching on their own and get hired. Then we can start their hiring process. It needs a lot of hard work.”
BYU has about 30,000 students and 14,000 employment opportunities and job openings, but there are off-campus jobs available, Blackwelder said.
Harris said even though it took her about three months to find her current on-campus job, she was consistent in putting her resumes in and following up, and most importantly, she was not discouraged. Blackwelder’s emphasis on being patient and consistent has worked for Harris, but getting a job may take a little more than that.
“Sometimes it’s just being at the right place at the right time,” Blackwelder said. “You may need to be around the right people, too.”
Is finding the right type of job important? Teacher’s assistants and custodians are the most employable jobs on campus, but any job will give good experience such as learning, leadership or working as a team, according to Blackwelder.
“Work is good work,” she said. “It’s a good, honest job.”
Some resources for finding job openings are:
Jobs.byu.edu for on-campus jobs. This website enables students to create a resume or an online profile.
Monster.com and other job searching websites for off-campus jobs.
The classified section in The Daily Universe or online at newsnet.byu.edu/classified for off-campus jobs.
The Ad Board on the first floor of the Wilkinson Student Center for off-campus jobs.
Students looking for a job should:
Think ahead about what kind of job they might want.
Think about personal interests and skills.
Do research on the websites described above before applying.
Create a professional-looking resume. Assistance on interviewing, creating cover letters and making resume are available at hrs.byu.edu/hr/students/student-jobs/applicant-help.
Network with people around them, such as friends, roommates and professors for available job openings.
Always look for job opportunities. Take resumes to managers or employers of businesses with possible job openings.
Dress and act professional when in contact with managers or employers.
Check up on job postings and contact the business as soon as possible. First-come is most likely first-served.
Despite the rising unemployment numbers, Blackwelder thinks there are still enough job opportunities available for students who do their best in looking for one.
“Many [students] do struggle to find work,” she said. “But there is always a need for good, hard workers.”
The Student Employment office is in 2024 WSC and also available at 801-422-3562.
