As incoming students learn about UCLA this summer during
orientation, one aspect of campus life they will not be looking
forward to is student fees.
And with the knowledge that the University of California’s
fees are on the rise, more and more students will be looking for
jobs.
There are a variety of on-campus jobs available, including food
services and clerical positions, but many students will wonder what
job is right for them.
Associated Students of UCLA is one of the campus’ largest
student employers, with positions available all over campus.
“When I was looking for a job, the first place I went was
the ASUCLA bulletin board with job postings,” said Cindy
Tamae, a third-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics
student.
Later that quarter, Tamae got a position working as a cook and
server at the Bombshelter.
“I was basically the chief tostada frier ““ or at
least that’s what I called myself … I was there during
lunchtime serving food and in the morning for prep,” Tamae
said.
The probability of getting a job on campus varies from position
to position, and Tamae said that the Bombshelter is almost always
willing to hire new employees.
“The work is sometimes laborious. But it’s a good
college job because they understand when you have to take time off
to study,” Tamae said.
Most food service jobs require that students constantly move
around to serve the customers, and this is a major consideration
for students.
“When I applied to work at the Kerckhoff Coffeehouse they
told me that it’s one-on-one customer service. You deal with
one person at a time and you have to know everything,” said
Emily Finzen, a second-year biology student.
For Finzen and others, food services job such as the Kerckhoff
Coffeehouse may require a lot of physical activity but they also
offer a fun and interactive environment.
“I really like the atmosphere at Kerckhoff and
that’s why I wanted to work there,” Finzen said.
But Finzen never accepted a position at the coffeehouse because
availability was an issue.
“Since Kerckhoff opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and closes
10 p.m. at night … I just didn’t want to work those
hours,” Finzen said.
In contrast to the fast-paced nature of food service jobs, there
are positions at the libraries and residence halls that are more
low-key, student employees say.
“If you work at the libraries you can study on the job,
which is a huge benefit,” Finzen said.
Elizabeth Wong, a second-year cognitive science student worked
at the Charles E. Young Research Library stacking and checking out
books.
“It’s definitely a good student job because
they’re really understanding about midterms and
finals,” Wong said.
Many students say that a great benefit to any ASUCLA job is the
20 percent discount they get at ASUCLA stores.
But the ASUCLA jobs may not be the right choice for some
students, in which case many other campus jobs are available.
In addition to the jobs offered by ASUCLA, students can also
find positions at the James West Alumni Center and with private
employers on campus.
“I took this honors collegium class. At the end of the
class the professor recruited students to work in his lab. “¦
It was a really lucky break for me,” Tamae said.
Tamae quit her job at the Bombshelter and began working in the
lab where she received $10 an hour, after working for free two
quarters.
“It was a lot better than the Bomb-shelter mainly because
I gained valuable lab experience.” Tamae said.
Luck plays a large role in landing a great job that pays well,
Tamae added, also saying that she has many friends who applied for
lab jobs but were not accepted.
“You just have to make opportunities for yourself by
asking around and letting people know that you’re looking for
a job,” Tamae said.