Students are finding ways to deal with the economic pressure in finding and keeping their jobs, work study or not.
Layoffs and pay cuts have become a normal thing in the workforce, so while some students remain wary of their job security and the future, a few are trying to cope with it.
Senior Katie James became a former employee at Pier 1 when her supervisor told her the day before New Year’s Eve would be her last.
James said she was fixing the candles and straightening up everything when her boss told her she wasn’t needed anymore.
“It is scary to think that not everybody who is qualified for a job can get one and keep it,” she said.
James said the layoff happened because of payroll cuts.
James believes cuts must be made in these times and that a person must work very hard so they will not be let go, but even that doesn’t always matter.
Another student just starting out at Baker, freshman Katie James, quit her job at Chili’s in Manhattan to attend school, forcing her to give up a stable job she enjoys.
She said companies and businesses are not hiring as much so they can try to save money. She believes interviews tell the employer whether a person fits the job or not, which is more crucial in today’s economy than previous years.
She has had five different jobs, but has never been laid off. She works on campus as a Resident Assistant in Irwin Hall.
“I definitely learn something new every day working as an RA, but Chili’s was my favorite job because it kept me on my feet,” she said.
Senior Brianna Lichtenauer works in the English department and at Wheat State Pizza.
Lichtenauer plans to use her Wheat State job to pay for graduate school and other expenses.
She is not expecting any layoffs from Wheat State because of low staffing and may even have reason to expect a raise from her job.
Lichtenauer said both of these jobs really needed someone to fill the positions so she decided to go for it.
“Look for places that need people because if they don’t need you, chances are it will be harder for them to hire you,” Lichtenauer said.