Help wanted: Money and fun appeal to job-hunting students

Are you a student who is in need of some extra cash? Well, don't fret, because it's still early and there are more "Help Wanted" signs around campus than football tickets available for the Michigan-Notre Dame game. Basically, if you want a job, Ann Arbor is hiring.

There are many different kinds of jobs available to students on campus - it just depends upon the kind of job that is right for each particular person. State Street and South University are popular locations for jobs, but another option is to apply for a job through the University.

BRYAN MCLELLAN/Daily LSA senior Benjamin Day tosses a pizza at his part-time job at The Backroom.

As far as a paycheck goes, students are likely to make the most dough by working at one of the local bars, such as Rick's or Scorekeepers, as a waiter or waitress. As one waitress at Scorekeepers said, "I'd be going to the bar anyway, so why not work, drink free, be social and get paid?"

This kind of job definitely seems to be perfect for the social butterfly who doesn't mind giving up a night or two of partying to make an extra buck. But nighttime isn't the only time to have fun while on the job.

LSA senior Dan Kerin, a salesperson for Urban Outfitters, said that he "loves the fun and funky people that he gets to meet working by day."

"Work in general allows a person to get away from their usual niche and just be exposed to different kinds of people," Kerin said

LSA senior Sue Darula, a part-time cashier at Amer's, agreed. "Work gives (me) a relief from school," she said. Amer's is Darula's "get-away" from classes.

If students don't want to work in a deli but prefer that aroma of fresh bagels, why not work at one of Ann Arbor's many bagel stores? Ahran Kang, an Art junior who works at Einstein's Bagels, said, "Having a job is something that everyone can do - it's just a matter of balancing your time."

For Kang, earning money is another enjoyable aspect of having a job. Like most students, she is financially supported by her parents, but the money that Kang earns is her own to spend on whatever her heart desires.

Students who don't like to be around food might try working at a card store, such as Hallmark-Gold Crown House. LSA sophomore Kim Kochanek has been working there since last January. "Going to work gives me a break from studying," Kochanek said. "It gets me away from the academic pressures of school."

However, if students are looking for a work environment that's a little less social and a bit on the quieter side, they can try applying for a University job, such as working at a University library.

LSA senior David Hartke has worked at the Kresge Business Administration Library for three years. Hartke said that the major benefit to this job is that he is able to study and work at the same time. This type of assistant-librarian job seems ideal for the serious student who doesn't mind spending a couple of extra hours at the library.

The bottom line is that there may be a perfect job waiting out there, but students have to go out and find it. Yes, it may seem a bit threatening to think of doing something other than going to class and hanging out with friends, but work can be a positive experience. Having a job doesn't necessarily involve sitting at a desk and answering phones all day - a job can actually be fun.

So, if you've been thinking about expanding your horizons and doing something other than e-mailing during your spare time, now is the time to fill out an application and join the many University students who manage to earn a few extra bucks while cramming for that midterm.

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