Every year, there are some Capstone students who stay in Tuscaloosa for summer classes while their peers head home for a much-needed break. To supplement the cost of summer classes, some students are left with one question: "How will I make money?" Fortunately for them, the University is implementing a new program to help them out.
This year, the University's Human Resources department will include a new feature on their Web site, www.jobs.ua.edu, that will list job postings on campus for the summer. Starting May 1, the site will feature jobs from different departments at the University, running the gamut of receptionists, computer lab technicians, library workers and many others. There will also be job summaries, pay rates, specific qualifications and work hours. Jobs will then be posted year-round on the site.
Amy Weatherly, director of Human Resources, said the idea behind doing this was to fill a void with the students and their plans during the summer.
"Human Resources saw this as an opportunity to work with the students," Weatherly said.
Tyler Reaves, a sophomore majoring in management information systems, said he will work this summer as a desk assistant at Bidgood Hall. Reaves said it doesn't take long for on-campus positions to fill up.
"The best thing to do is start asking around early to find out which departments have vacancies to fill," Reaves said.
In addition, the Student Employment department will be open during the summer to aid students in finding jobs in the Tuscaloosa area. One way to utilize its resources is through www.mybama.ua.edu, where students can view job listings in town.
Don Simmons, assistant director for the University's Student Employment Services, said though there are not as many students who apply in the summer, the opportunities are still open with the department and jobs are always being posted on the site.
"If a business doesn't take their post down after a couple of months, the site can become inundated with job postings," Simmons said.
In 2007, nearly 2,400 jobs were posted on the site; this number is only expected to increase in the coming months. Simmons said there is always a business that is looking for someone to help them out.
"We generally have a lot of businesses who want to hire students over 20 hours per week," Simmons said.
Rebecca Paxton, a sophomore majoring in communicative disorders, said she will be working in Tuscaloosa as a leasing agent for H.A. Edwards real estate this summer. Paxton said it is fairly easy to find a job, and there is only one reason why some people do not get the jobs that they are looking for.
"A lot of people wait until about mid-April to start looking for jobs, and by then all the jobs they would want are taken," Paxton said.
In addition to applying for jobs ahead of time, Paxton said asking around is one of the most efficient ways to find a job.
"You never know who may have an opening," Paxton said.
It is evident many businesses surrounding the University suffer financially due to student absence, but it doesn't affect their staffs. Many popular restaurants, such as Buffalo Phil's and the Mellow Mushroom, said though their student help leaves during the summer, their local help makes up for the loss, and it doesn't necessarily cause them to make hiring pushes or cut work days shorter. In fact, such businesses are so well received by the city that they still do adequately in the summer months.
Jennifer Tomasello, one of the managers of the Mellow Mushroom, said since the restaurant is located downtown, it still has good business from Tuscaloosa residents; it is also currently hiring in all positions from drivers to waiters for the summer.
"Something's always going on over here, whether it's in the summer or the fall," Tomasello said.
Be the first to comment on this article!
Log in to be able to post comments.