by NIKKI ROBERTI
Lifestyles Reporter

College is notorious as the time when students are tight on money. 

While students are working towards their degree for the job of their dreams, it may seem pretty discouraging to think the only job available at this time is one ending with the phrase “Would you like fries with that?”

That’s not the case for many students though, as many take jobs on campus in between classes in order to earn money.

Appalachian State University’s five largest student employers are Student Programs, University Recreation, Housing and Residence Life, Food Services and Broyhill Inn & Conference Center and Belk Library, according to Appalachain’s  Web site.

Last year, University Recreation hired 643 students alone.

Both student programs, which hires workers at the student union and Legends, and university recreation generally hire in the month of November for the spring semester and in the month of March for summer and the following fall.

“[When hiring, I look for] someone who demonstrates good work ethic,” Associate Director of Student Union Operations P. Brad Vest said. “Someone that wants to be a team player because there is no way we could run this building with a bunch of individuals.”

Jobs in the student union range from operations assistants who set up chairs and clean.

They are considered by Vest to be the “backbone” of the student union to info desk workers who act as the face of the university for many visitors to campus.

Vest said the 120 employees hired this year are doing a great job.

“All you have to do is walk into the building and you walk into a clean friendly environment which has a direct impact on when the patrons come in,” he said. “It sets the atmosphere for the building.”

Director of university recreation Joe R. Carter said the types of jobs at university recreation include lifeguards, sports timers, personal trainers and office assistants.

Students can work at the Quinn Center, Student Recreation Center or Mt. Mitchell Fitness Center located in the student union.

While university recreation looks for students who already have certifications for the jobs they want, like life guarding, Carter said they provide a lot of “in house training.”

“Most of our students put in about 15-24 hours in place before they actually work on the job,” he said.

Sarah A. Wilson is a sophomore food and nutrition major who started working for university recreation once she transferred to Appalachian this fall.

She said it’s not only convenient for her schedule, but she enjoys working and earning money herself as well.

“It builds morals and values in yourself. Something isn’t just given to you. You’re working for it,” she said. “If you’re using that money to go out at night, it makes it more special.”

Senior sociology major Shannon L. Pergerson has worked for food services for three years and said she loves it because it works around her busy schedule.

“You’re able to work around any classes you have and work as many hours as you want to,” she said. “I’m also in band, so if I would work off campus, I wouldn’t get my weekends off. But I can here.”

Students don’t just earn money, however.

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