As college students, it is helpful to have a job that aids in some expenses and provides extra spending money. At MU, there are a plethora of on-campus jobs available, but still some students opt to work off-campus.
The Outlook editors work in a variety of jobs including a student ambassador, writing center tutor, box office assistant, and graphic print center assistant, among others.
Here at the Outlook, the editors had differing opinions on whether it is better to work on-campus or off-campus.
One editor said, “I like working on campus because my office is relatively flexible with hours and things like that, especially because they understand that school work and classes come first. You can actually only work 20 hours a week anywhere on campus, so I think that Student Employment really knows and understands that sometimes a student’s job isn’t always their first priority.”
Many editors agreed that working on-campus is convenient for resident students, whereas those who live off-campus find it easier to work elsewhere.
“The best part of working on campus is the flexibility,” said one editor. “I tell them at the beginning of each semester what days I can work and they usually only schedule me one day a week which is great because I have so many other things going on like class, The Outlook and my off campus job. Also, the people I work with are great. They’re all super nice and everyone in the office gets along great.”
When working off-campus, students often face the challenge of juggling classes and work, as their employers are not affiliated with the university and thus do not have to consider a student’s academic priorities. Still, however, many students see working off-campus as a more lucrative opportunity with less restrictions.
“I prefer to work off campus just for a change of pace. Plus I get paid a little more at my off campus job and I get to work with more than three other people,” said one editor.
If one desires to work on-campus, MU’s Student Employment will aid them in the job-search process. Recently, Student Employment made a variety of changes. The office was moved from the Rebecca Stafford Student Center to Bey Hall, and handwritten time-sheets were replaced with Ultipro electronic timesheets.
In regard to Student Employment’s efforts to oversee on-campus jobs, one editor said “I’ve only had pleasant experiences with Student Employment. I think everyone in that office is really friendly and always available if you have any questions about anything.”
Further, one editor noted that the new office location is not convenient for student employees. “Student employment was helpful when we switched to the electronic time sheets but other than that I haven’t used them very much. Also they’re now all the way in Bey Hall which is a little inconvenient if you need to go see them.”
“They are pretty helpful but the clocking in and out system is annoying,” said one editor. “None of the macs on campus seem to want to open Ultipro. I wish they had a bigger office area. They moved to Bey Hall and their office area looks even smaller than before.”
Additionally, some editors offered suggestions to improve Student Employment. One editor said “I would change the location. Also, while the electronic time sheets are easier, they threatened to remove me if I didn’t go to the training for it. I understand it makes things easier for them but I couldn’t make it to any of the times they had for the training so my on campus job had to let me leave in the middle of my shift to go to it which I felt bad about considering I only work two or three hours a week.”
It seems that many people are upset with Student Employments new office location. Rather than the large office that was located in the student center, the department now occupies a small, crammed room hidden in a corner of Bey Hall.
“I don’t really understand why they moved to Bey Hall, I think they took a step backwards, because the office always feels cramped and chaotic now. So really my only feedback would be to find a better office space.”
Therefore, the editors regard working on-campus and off-campus as great opportunities to earn cash. Although Student Employment is helpful in some aspects, other aspects such as the inconvenient office location and complicated electronic timesheets hinder the students’ experience.
