By ARIEL GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
As the year begins, students at The College of Saint Rose scramble to find the best clubs to join, or the perfect friends to befriend. When the semester commences, some students are in need of a job; there’s no better place to look for a job than right on campus in the Work Study program. Eligible students enjoy the benefits of making a couple of extra dollars while not losing focus on their studies.
Students may notice the Office of Student Development is plastered with help wanted posters promoting work study opportunities at the office and in other departments. After returning work study students make their decisions on returning to work at the office or not coming back, the office of Student Development then accepts applications from other students at Saint Rose. The office intends to have active students who are willing to help others navigate the campus.
“We look for a student who is knowledgeable about the campus. In the office, we answer a variety of questions from students, prospective students and families, outside visitors, faculty, and other staff/administrators, so a student must know a lot about the campus to adequately answer questions,” said Chereva McClellan, director of student life at the college. Before McClellan could speak with The Chronicle, she requested questions in writing and was required to get approval from the college’s marketing department before she could answer.
For someone trying to apply for this position time is still on your side, “All applications are usually due by the end of September,” said Meg Parascandola who serves as the executive secretary of the office of Student Development.
The department of Health Services is presenting a similar opportunity to students. Located on 190 Partridge St., this office is looking for students to “be professional, be comfortable answering phones and welcoming students as they enter the Health Service,” said Jen Richardson, assistant vice president for Student Development. Richardson also responded to The Chronicle after questions were vetted through the college’s marketing department. The office of Health Services operates Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Work Study jobs presents two certainties to college students: they provide an equal opportunity to gain experience and earn decent pay.
“Work study positions and any on campus job is very important for students throughout their time at the College because it connects students to the campus while providing them with payment,” said McClellan. “Many students have to work to help pay for college or expenses, the ability to work on campus allows students to be a part of the community.”
The benefits of the Work Study program have helped Saint Rose students like juniors Carlos Pujols and Michael Duran stay afloat economically while working at the school’s fitness center.
“For a low-income student like myself, work study provides a chance to earn decent pay that can help a student buy groceries or a bus ticket back home,” said Duran.
Students are only allowed to work for a certain number of hours in the work study program depending on their aid package however being able to earn a decent wage while studying is all that students want.
“Although I wish there were no limit on the hours we work or how much money I could earn, being able to work and get easy money while still having time to study for school is a huge benefit,” said Pujols.
While working at the fitness center both Duran and Pujols are in charge of keeping the gym in order, making sure everyone has their membership up to date, and closing by 10 p.m., at least twice a week. Work Study helps mold students for real world experiences according to administrators. “Work Study jobs are important for students to have to continue to develop their skills in a safe environment to be better prepared for the jobs they will hold in the future,” said Richardson.
A student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 in order to be eligible for Work Study.
“The Federal Government awards the College a limited amount of work-study funds each year. If a student is not awarded work-study, they can be placed on the waitlist. If students, who are awarded work-study, do not return the paperwork by the end of September, we cancel their work-study. We then may go to the waitlist and offer to these students,” said Jenn Gish, assistant vice president for Marketing and Communications. At Saint Rose, students have a multitude of opportunities available to them but it’s up to the student body to take advantage of them.
