Work Is Its Own Teacher

Look for an on-campus job. I do not suggest this just for the money but for the application of professional skills in a student-friendly environment.

Trying to find employment as a full-time student can be a challenge. The time and place of your job and classes need to fit well together and still leave time to study, rest, and take care of yourself. While reviewing available jobs on campus, you should naturally find one where you can negotiate reasonable hours that work with your schedule because on-campus employers have experience working with students’ unique needs. I cannot promise you will find something perfect, but you should find something that works. Map out your class schedule before the job search. Having a visual for your hours makes planning easier on the brain.

Now, any job will involve some professional skills, but a job on campus makes for a good transition to a setting where such skills are more deliberately applied. I reviewed the student jobs available during October 2024, the time I wrote this, and saw a pattern in each description. Decision making, problem solving, communication, working in a team, and planning, organizing, and prioritizing work are just some of the qualities found under required or preferred qualifications, all easily applicable to every workplace. Although, a few qualities stuck out as unusual.

Along with the usual qualifications and professional competencies was, “A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, with a strong desire to serve others.” Reading this, I was reminded how Huntington University strives to foster students in a Christ-centered environment. This even shows up in my own on-campus job. I already knew I would have to try to maintain faith in my profession, but I hadn’t even thought about how my job here is already preparing me.

I want to encourage other students looking for work to take advantage of what our university has to offer. You can learn about the currently available positions on campus by going to huntington.edu/Student-Employment. Experience, income, and spiritual development can be found in any corner of campus. You just need to reach out.