Slim Pickings for Campus Jobs

Author: Ben Salkowe

As stated on the Web site of the Middlebury Student Employment Office (SEO), "All students are eligible for all on-campus jobs, regardless of their financial status." But in recent years, some say it has become increasingly difficult to secure an on-campus job. The vision of sitting at a desk in a quiet room,and being paid to get your work done is not quite reality anymore. Are campus jobs disappearing in the face of a weak economy?

Commenting on this year's competition for the prized jobs in Library Information Services (LIS), Associate Dean of LIS Dave Donahue said, "We have noticed increasing numbers of applicants for positions in each of the past few years."

"I think every department on campus is trying to use its budget dollars as effectively as possible given the current economic conditions," he continued. He noted, however, that LIS was committed to "eliminating inefficiencies" before cutting back on student employees.

The competition for fall jobs was set to begin when the SEO posted campus job opportunities on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. "We wait to post them until Sunday evening so that all students coming back to campus have an equal opportunity to apply for jobs," said Student Employment Coordinator Charlene Bergland. The list, however, was not available until later Monday because of technical difficulties.

Although job seekers were disadvantaged at the start, Bergland is convinced that "there were the usual number of jobs available this fall." She added, "I think that the financial climate across the country has changed and more students are interested in working on campus - or being pressured by their parents to get a job."

It is perhaps this pressure that drove Ben Rowe '06 to pursue a job lifeguarding at the Natatorium. "It was a little overwhelming last year figuring out how to get a job and such," he said.

Aquatics Director and Head Swimming Coach Peter Solomon admitted that there are "more guards that want to work than what we are able to assign."

The McCullough Mail Center, another student employer, has also seen increased competition for job opportunities. The College recently decided to cut out their afternoon delivery schedule, meaning all deliveries across campus must be made in the morning rather than split between the morning and afternoon.

Since the mailroom has relatively few operational costs, Mail Center Supervisor David LaRose said, "The only thing to cut back on is labor." After reviewing the Mail Center's operations, the decision to cut out afternoon deliveries became the only option.

"Yes, the kids are carrying heavier loads than before," he said, admitting that the same employees are now working more in fewer hours. "Sometimes our full-time staff has to finish deliveries in the afternoon," he added.

So now that the competition has snatched up prime jobs, what is left for those who were just too slow? A quick look at the SEO Web site reveals leftovers are anything but dull. College departments are currently looking for everything from hairstylists to pot washers and "ball-retrievers" for the soccer team.

Feeling really adventurous? There's always a future in nude modeling for art classes.