With about 900 Taylor University students working on campus, many students have learned to navigate and balance their work, school and life boundaries.
Sophomore Kayla Smits is now in her second semester working the front desk of Grace Olson Hall. Her position mainly includes sorting packages and mail, loaning kitchen supplies to residents and selling snacks to guests and to those who call Olson home.
According to Smits, working in her residence building is a convenient and stress-free experience. Because of the proximity to her room, she can seamlessly go from enjoying time with friends, to spending time on homework, to going downstairs to do her job.
Working in residence halls is also handy as a student because of the flexible hours. Many manage it by having a consistent shift during the week and then choosing to pick up more time on the weekends. As a result, many are able to work the desk without having to sacrifice too much time from the “college experience.”
Smits encouraged others to apply.
“It’s a very nice job to have, low-maintenance, honestly fun and it’s money, which is helpful,” she said.
Freshman Katie Forman works in the Zondervan Library as a check-out desk assistant. In her position, she typically checks out books for people, helps students find rooms and books and makes sure everything is in order.
“I love it,” Forman said. “Honestly, I think it’s a really good job for me. You have to be a little social, but it’s also definitely on the quieter side.”
Through her work, Forman has learned how to balance her work, life and school early on in her college career. She has found the workload reasonable and enjoys the environment she is a part of.
Forman shared that balancing tough classes and other scheduling demands can be difficult in the beginning, but after a few weeks, it becomes easier to develop a rhythm that works. In the library, specifically, most student workers work about 6-8 hours a week, making the load reasonable.
Encouraging students with interest to apply, Forman shared, “It can be hard to find a work environment where you can get along with all of your co-workers and your supervisors, but I do. I really like it.”
Junior Alex Zazzo loves working for Taylor University Admissions, where she’s responsible for answering the phones and questions about Taylor, processing applications, going through visit folders with families and working events.
The main aspect of Zazzo’s job is being a tour guide for prospective Taylor students.
“I love interacting with prospective students,” Zazzo said. “It’s really cool when you get to talk to them about their Taylor experience, encourage them to come and then see them next fall.”
Zazzo has also enjoyed the opportunities to meet more faculty and come out of her introverted shell as a result of the job.
She shared that the work-school balance can vary by semester. During semesters with busy class schedules, the balance can be difficult. However, Zazzo has a lighter load this semester, and as a result, has been able to pick up her workload.
For those looking to apply, Zazzo says that Admissions is looking for those who are, “Willing to go the extra mile for a family, able to have conversations with people they do not know, be welcoming and warm and [be] someone who can walk backwards.”
For those looking to help out Admissions and welcome prospects to Taylor, host a student for the night and make their stay a great one!
Working on-campus can be reasonable and manageable once into the rhythm of work, life and school. Many Taylor students encouraged their peers to apply and shared positive experiences working on campus.
