College students are notorious for being broke.

That’s just part of the college experience for some. Not owning a car or not knowing many people who do own cars, can make getting a job off-campus strenuous. Keeping up with a bus schedule is hard, especially, when it comes to being on time. There’s always the HEAT bus, but it doesn’t always go where you need it to; the GTA buses only have one bus that comes to A&T and most times, you’re forced to switch routes at the depot.

One way to get around this dilemma is to get a job on campus. Think about it, almost everywhere on campus you go outside of class, you see a fellow student working-the cafeteria, the bookstore, the C-Store and the Sit-In. Ever wonder how they got their positions? There are several ways to obtain them.

First of all, you may want to inquire within your department and request someone who might be able to help you. Often, there will be someone who can guide you to financial awards as well as on-campus jobs. Once you’ve found something within your department, get some sources rounded up. Unless an administrator recommends or requests your help, you’ll more than likely need to get proof that you would be a good candidate for the job.

Jobs available within a department are usually temporary positions and vary from TA’s to SI’s. TA’s are teacher assistants and SI’s are student instructors. In both cases, a student may be asked to fill in for a professor when absent. Although it’s not imperative that you get a job within your department, it will, however, expose you to work in that field.

Another type of job on campus is called work-study. Work-study is based on financial need and is assigned when you fill out your FAFSA. You obtain it when you get your loans and grants, but you have to work to earn it as indicated by Financial Aid counselor, Martinez Washington.

“There’s an earning limit set on it and you have to earn those funds during that semester,” said Washington. “You would complete your FAFSA, not go to admissions for an application.”

An advantage of on-campus employment is that you get to pick your own hours. With this option, you are not pressed for time. Jobs off-campus may pay more, but may not be as conducive to your already set schedule.

Study time may be limited either way, however, Chanel Jackson, a sophomore from Las Angeles has worked as a driver on the Aggie Escort and is currently a telecounselor in the Admissions office who recruits interested students to the university.

“I just applied to the Aggie Escort job and luckily got it. As for the admissions office which I currently work at now, a counsler recommended me and I got the job,” she said.

In order to be paid, it’s required that you apply for direct deposit and fill out an I9 form. With direct deposit, the money will be automatically placed into your bank account each month.

Being paid once a month aids in making sure the money earned is managed.

“Its a good experience and it helps pay for small things you might need,” said junior engineering and computer science major, J.J. Slaughter who has been working at Bluford Library for two years.

As far as the experience, Martinez agrees that “It gives them the foundation to learn how to work with people in a working environment; it teaches them responsibility and accountability.”

• Stacie Bailey