Summer jobs for college students

By: Julie Pearson
Posted In: News

As finals week comes to an end, many college students begin to turn their thoughts to summer jobs. Students at Salve have the choice of returning home to work for the summer, applying to work on campus, or living and working in Newport. No matter what decision a student makes, there are a variety of job opportunities open to college students, from internships to working in a restaurant.

One way that students could find help in making their decision was at Career Development in Miley Hall. Through the development center students could find a variety of positions that match with the criteria they are looking for. Located in career development is a book of 650 different jobs for the summer, spring, fall, and inter-session. The jobs vary from full-time to part-time, paid to unpaid, and some provide credits while others just provide job experience.

Many of the jobs available to students through career development are located in the Rhode Island area, but some offer a more unique experience, such as an internship at Disney World. During the summer students have the opportunity to earn anywhere from six to 12 credits.

One popular job in the summer for Salve students, according to director of career development, Ed Turilli, is childcare. Tutors are always in demand by parents for children struggling in their academics. Childcare givers are also needed to pick children up at school or camp, or bring them to the beach for parents. Turilli even remembers one student being taken on a sailing trip for the summer in order to watch the children.

“Whatever students do, we request not require. We encourage them to try to work in their field or major, and do work that will help to familiarize them with what they will do with that major,” said Turilli.

Turilli encourages students to have a resume available for any job. If there is competition for a job, a company may require a resume in order to see who is the most qualified for the position. Students should also inquire and apply for jobs and internships early. When looking for a job in Newport, Salve students are not only competing with the usual workforce, but other Rhode Island college students returning home for the summer, according to Turilli.

Salve students have acquired many different types of summer jobs. Michael Fisher, a sophomore, has decided to live in Newport for the summer. He acquired a job as a bar-back at the Black Pearl Restaurant, after applying to four other places. Fisher admits to putting the most effort into getting his job at the Black Pearl, especially when he received a reference from a former bartender at the restaurant.

As a bar-back Fisher will have a variety of responsibilities. In the morning he will have to unload trucks and prepare the drinks and coolers for the night. He will then begin a second shift in the evening where he will tap kegs, make mixed drinks in bulk, clean the bar and the surrounding area, collect empty glasses and trash, and keep the coolers and bars stocked at all times.

Fisher will work approximately five days a week at the rate of $10 an hour, and will receive 10 percent of the bartender’s tips from the night. There are three other bar-backs that he will be working with for the entire summer. One other fellow employee is friend and roommate John McDaniel, a junior at Salve. Neither have been bar-backs before, but had no trouble being hired without experience, or in finding an affordable place to live in Newport.

“I’m excited to be able to go to the beach when I’m not working, meet new people, and make, hopefully, good money,” said Fisher.

Kendra Lee, a sophomore at Salve, acquired a paid internship for her summer job. Lee will be employed as a personal trainer in Wellesley, Mass., at Train Boston. It is a paid internship for a 12-week program, and she will earn $9 an hour. In order to obtain the job Lee had to have previous experience in the field of weight training, and be able to teach and demonstrate proper techniques.

Lee has experience from the Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning Program, where she was a trainee and employee last summer. At both programs knowledge in weight lifting and plyometrics are pertinent. Plyometrics include box jumps, lateral slides, agility fields and quickening drills.

“It’s basically for those who want to increase speed and strength to better themselves in their specifics sports,” said Lee. Previously at Boyle, and this summer at Train Boston, she will train athletes ranging in age from middle school to college students.

Lee is a business major who one day hopes to own her own gym and oversee her own fitness program. She sees this internship as a valuable tool and opportunity for her future.

Another Salve student, Katelyn Jacques, is using her summer to further her knowledge in her major field. Jacques, a nursing major, had acquired a job as a student nurse at Salem Hospital, in Salem, Mass., through the extern program. Her mother is a previous employee of the hospital, and remains close with employees there. Through an application process Jacques was one of only two accepted who are not enrolled in the nursing program at Salem State University.

Jacques will work 40 hours per week, five days a week, and every other weekend on the medical/surgical floor. “I will be assisting nursing personal with patient care, and learning a lot at the same time.” Her duties as a student nurse include bathing patients, giving shots and medication, treatments, changing linens, and making beds. She will work on a rotating scheduling of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On the medical/surgical floor Jacques will deal with different types of diseases and infections. “I feel very confident because of the education I’ve received at Salve,” said Jacques. Excitement to learn more is one of her main reasons for deciding to apply for the job. The job, which starts June 6 and ends in August when she returns to school, will earn Jacques one credit towards her nursing degree.

Just as Salve students are searching for summer jobs, so are other students all over the country. Jobs that are commonly overlooked and not even acknowledged are those in the federal and local government.

According to CBS MarketWatch, federal and local governments offer well paying jobs that could eventually lead to a career with potential for advancement. Clerical jobs in Washington, D.C., range in pay from $9.65 to $11.82, and the Navy in Natick, Mass., offers $11.32 an hour.

Teens are encouraged to apply as well as college students, with college students being encouraged to apply for higher-level jobs. Students are encouraged to not only search the web, but also to call agencies directly.