by Jerreck McWilliams
Staff writer
Staff photo by Jerreck McWilliams
SE senior Justin Boyd, who works as a lifeguard at the Durant City Pool, scans the water for distressed swimmers. Boyd has worked at the pool for six summers.
Although 75 percent of Southeastern’s students receive financial aid, according to the university’s official website, many students cannot rely on scholarships alone to cover the expenses of college life.
To pay the difference, most students have to take part time, seasonal jobs and many full time jobs.
Jobs are not always easy to find, however.
Scott Hensley, the director of the Career Management Center and Continuing Education, said that “90 percent of the time, you’re not going to find a job through the newspaper or online but through your network of people that you know.”
Hensley, who advises SE students preparing to enter the professional world, said to “talk to as many people that you know” when looking for a job.
“Then when you get an offer, fill out that application and go for it,” Hensley said.
Hensley’s advice was reaffirmed through interviews with several students who said that they also found out about their jobs through people they know.
“A friend was working as the e-commerce manager, and he recommended me for the design position,” said Katlyn Dodds, a graphic designer for Durant Medical Supply and a student here at Southeastern.
Dodds also said, “If you’re taking summer classes on top of having a summer job, it can be taxing to balance both.”
Dodds highlights what might be the most important aspect of the job hunt, after finding the job, which is finding one that will also work with your schedule.
Jared Standefer, an SE graduate who now works as an IT support technician at the Choctaw Resort and Casino said, “Do not be shy about applying at local gas stations. They usually have hours that you can make a decent school schedule work around.”
Standefer also suggested trying to find jobs at Alorica, a telemarketing agency, and the Choctaw Casino, or learn how to be a lifeguard during the summer.
“I guess the biggest tip is to not be too good to do something,” said Standefer, “And if it’s something you have never done, but they hire you, don’t be scared to learn.”
While it might also be smart to not take a job you do not feel qualified for, many students have few choices when it comes to what job they wind up taking.
“The jobs I normally look for during the summer are usually manual labor jobs,” said Zachary Cobb, an SE senior who works for the University of Oklahoma Biological Center. “I would like to find a job in my field of study, but that is sometimes tough in this area. They aren’t even close to applying to my major.”
With career prep being one of the biggest reasons people go to college, having a job while going to school that applies to your major has its advantages.
Dodds, our designer from earlier, said, “The jobs that I look for typically apply very much to my major, and I appreciate that I’m able to expand my portfolio by taking such jobs.”
For any students looking for jobs this fall, Hensley’s final piece of advice was to “Make sure your resume is complete. Make sure it’s free of errors, and have it ready to take with you to an interview.”