Jobs: the war against tuition

I use Steve, my summertime boss, as a guide for types of employment. "Well, young lady," he once said to me, hitching a thumb beneath the waist band of his red Speedo, "we've never had anyone vomit on the high dive during my shift. And," he added proudly, "I've been a lifeguard for 12 years now."

For 12 years? Before accepting any of the jobs I've held at Yale, I refer back to this horrifying moment under the canopy with Steve. Sure, a cushy job is tempting-- but is subsidized hedonism really worth a mindless career?

Of course, this is a question only you can answer. Whatever you decide, Yale can provide numerous types of jobs, and any Yalie who wants work can find it.

Though work-study students are given top priority for many positions, many others can hold jobs to earn spare cash or to fund spring break vacations.

Getting an on-campus job requires great persistence, but is not really so difficult. The walls of the student employment office at Hendrie Hall are papered with job notices. Positions fill quickly at the beginning of the year, but something will click, and you will be able to enjoy the security of a campus job.

There are three types of on-campus jobs. First, there are those that are not particularly mentally engaging, but provide great social opportunities. Many Yalies work in college dining halls, making good money and fast friends. Or, if you want to ensure you will run into every person on campus, look into a job at any of the Yale libraries.

A second tier of University jobs caters to students seeking experience in their field of study. Many science majors compete for a place in a lab, and psychology majors scramble for research work with a big-name professor. Leave your name with a department or professor with whom you'd like to work, regardless of whether a job is specifically advertised.

Finally, there are jobs--like working as a master's aide--that provide a regular paycheck and empty hours with which to catch up on work or gossip. These jobs let you sit back, relax, and only occasionally answer a phone or make a copy.

Off-campus jobs are often the most rewarding. Shops and restaurants hire Yalies, and locals often seek tutors and babysitters for their kids. These jobs provide a break from the homogeneity of the Yale campus, and a chance for students to integrate themselves into the New Haven community.

If you are interested in off-campus work, keep your ears open. The student employment office posts some information, but the most coveted jobs are passed down from one Yalie to another. If you do work off-campus, be prepared for transportation hassles and schedule conflicts. An off-campus job on weekends or evenings is great, but you might have to miss social events in your college.

Work at Yale is not only financially rewarding, but an important and integral part of the total Yale experience.

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