by Kelly Serrano
Staff Writer
Enrolling in college as a full-time student can be considered a full-time job. Besides attending class for at least two hours a week, students spend countless hours doing homework, writing papers and studying.
The rule of thumb is that one hour of class time equals about three hours of studying and homework. College also brings on high levels of stress that most are not accustomed to.
Juggling homework, classes and occasional social outings is compounded when students take on the responsibility of a part time or full time job. Students seek jobs for extra money, to gain experience and sometimes for fun.
According to Laura Venturini, interim career development and placement director, the most popular job that students are interested in is tutoring because of the flexible hours and high pay. Besides that, she says that most students look for something within walking distance that will give them the flexibility to put school on the top of their priority list.
Freshman psychology major Jennifer Wray currently works 24 to 32 hours at Target in West Covina while taking 13 units of classes. She started working in the summer and planned to quit once school started but she liked the money. She says that working and going to school is “hard.”
Steve Wetzel, freshman, works 25 hours a week at Malins Pool Supply in Chino in addition to playing on the basketball team and taking 14 units of classes. He said he finds it easy to manage all of his responsibilities because his basketball team now practices early in the morning.
Wetzel chooses to work, he said, “Because I have nothing better to do with my time.”
An ideal job, Wetzel thinks is a waiter, waitress or hostess at a high level restaurant.
At the Claremont Club, Amy Brummel works 10 hours a week as a program assistant. At the University of La Verne, Brummel attends classes full time as a senior business administration major and also plays on the volleyball team.
“Time management is definitely a priority,” said Brummel. “You have to juggle it all.” Brummel recently quit her second job as a waitress to concentrate on the volleyball season. After the season she plans to get another waitressing job, and considers it to be one of the best occupations for students to have.
“It [waitressing] makes really good money for a college student,” said Brummel. “It put me through college, and I pay for everything on my own.”
Movement and sports science major, senior Mike Montoya works at the Glendora Ralphs in the produce department and also coaches the freshman baseball team at Ayala High School in Chino.
Although Montoya says that having two jobs and attending school is “killing” him, he recognizes the need to work toward his career after graduation.
“The perfect job for me was in the Athletic Department my freshman year,” said Montoya. “Don’t get an outside [off-campus] job, don’t work at all if you don’t have to.”
According to Venturini, students should find a job that meets their individual needs and goals.
