Working while attending college can be a challenging part of a college student's life.
Here at Virginia Tech there are a lot of opportunities for those looking for work.
On campus there are several different service staffs that will be looking for students.
One of the biggest employers of students on campus is Student Programs. Student Programs hires for both residential positions as well as the dining halls.
The only job for undergraduate students within the residence life positions is the residential adviser. Residential advisers or RAs are basically the floor monitors for college students living in the dorms.
They are there to make sure students don't do anything against Tech policy and one is always on duty in case of an emergency. They also put on several social programs throughout the year and are in charge of move-in and move-out activities.
Dining positions are also available to students. The starting salary for working at a dining hall is $8.25 an hour so the hard work is worth it. These jobs include a free meal for every shift worked as well.
The student calling center is another opportunity that students can pursue. The general idea behind the position is to call alumni, parents, students and many others to support Tech and higher education. The starting salary is $8.
University Unions and Student Activities also offers jobs to students. These jobs are mostly based in Squires Student Center and involve working for various services including the ticket office and BreakZONE.
Students can also get involved with The Department of Recreational Sports. Jobs for this department include lifeguards, gym facility personnel, and referees for the various seasonal recreation leagues.
Off-campus work is harder to come by, though not impossible to find.
There are many businesses in the Blacksburg area - some local, some franchise - that need staff in order to keep running smoothly.
If you intend to look for work off campus, start your job seach early because students will be returning in mass when the school year begins.
Also consider speaking directly to employers instead of simply submitting online applications.
No matter where you look for work, take time to develop a resume that reflects your skills and experience in order to make yourself attractive to employers.
Working on campus can be beneficial because Tech only allows enrolled students to work a majority of the jobs that are offered to students.
The best advice is to apply as soon as possible and constantly check on your application.