 "Photo: Mike Mangum")
Marcus Monson was planning on working all summer so he could pay for school in the fall. He didn't expect there would not be jobs with enough hours to fulfill his goal.
Monson has been searching for a job for the past month, and has looked everywhere from retail to manual labor. But he has been unable to find one with enough hours to fit his needs.
Many students like Monson, a sophomore in psychology, are having trouble finding enough work, if any, this summer to cover expenses.
The U's Career Services database for student jobs currently has 130 postings. Usually, the job postings range from 100 to 500 in number throughout the year, which puts the current postings on the low end of the scale, said Dana Sowby, associate director of Career Services.
“It’s stressful,” said Aldo Espinoza, a sophomore in sports management. “You have to pay for rent and groceries…it’s hard going to school too.”
Espinoza has been job searching since the end of spring semester. He has yet to find a job that will provide him with sufficient hours to add to the 10 to 12 hours he works at Brookstone, a retail store.
Both Monson and Espinoza think the economy is making it difficult for students to find jobs. This pressure is compounded by the U's rising tuition, making life really stressful, Monson said.
“If people quit spending because of the economy, then businesses need to cut back,” which includes hours, positions and pay, Sowby said.
Earlier this year, the U Campus Store eliminated overtime hours for employees, including students.
But there are also resources at the U to help students compete for jobs in the tough market. Career Services helps students write résumés, prepares them for interviews and provides tips on job search strategy and networking.
“If someone appreciates who you are and what you do (it) will help,” Sowby said.
Career Services will be holding workshops twice a day from June 15 to June 18 at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
“What we do is help (students) understand this process,” Sowby said.
