Northwestern State University offers students many ways to spend their time. One way that many students fill their time is by getting a job on campus. Some jobs offered at NSU include working at Student Services, the WRAC, the library or being a part of the production crew for sporting events. When students work these jobs, they can make special connections and help build friendships. Sometimes students can feel a bit scared about getting a job on campus due to stress from classes and wanting free time, but NSU provides work schedules that cooperate with class obligations.
Students can get these jobs for various reasons, whether they want to follow their dreams or just need help paying their tuition. Some students may decide to do camerawork for a sporting event if they are interested in being a photographer or videographer. Jobs like this can help students pursue their passions and give them some experience in their field.
Logan Womack is a senior nursing major who works in the Student Services building and finds their job helps keep them well informed and involved with the NSU campus. “I was inspired to get an on-campus job because it was a way to be more involved with NSU,” Womack said. “This has helped me stay informed with the activities on campus as well as Natchitoches in general.”
When students get a job on campus, they can feel a sense of belonging and involvement with the NSU campus that not all students can. Students are surrounded by their peers, who have similar stresses and issues. Whether it be about classes or roommates, the people that students work alongside can often deal with the same or similar struggles.
Makenzie Hall is a freshman biology major who loves working with her fellow NSU students at her campus job. “I love the people I work with. I’ve only been working there for 3 months, and they all feel like family,” Hall said.
Many times, students feel strongly connected with the people that they work with. When working with like-minded people in a similar job, the connections built are so much stronger than those without this opportunity.
While many students tend to feel connected with those that they work with, others may be nervous or scared to get a job on campus. They could fear that the job will take up too much time or that it will make their college experience less enjoyable. Despite that fear, many students say that working on campus has improved their experience at NSU.
“I would tell the students wanting to work on campus to just do it. Apply whenever and however you can, and honestly, just go to whatever department you are selected for or want to work for. It is such a great experience and overall so educational with the skills you learn,” Womack said.
NSU has many students who work various jobs on campus and many of them greatly enjoy their jobs on campus. Working an on-campus job can help students become more involved on campus, grow connections with those around them, and help them advance in their fields of interest while enhancing their experience at NSU.
