Students balance off-campus jobs with full-time academic workloads
Photo by Rhianna Barrow, Senior Photogrpaher
For some Lee students, the end of the academic day signals the beginning of their professional workload. As students navigate financial needs or invest in a successful side business, pairing academics with an off-campus job can be a balancing act.
“I think it is extremely hard because I also work full-time,” said George Hayes, a sophomore theatre arts and marketing double major. “[I don’t] really catch any sleep until Saturday or Sunday.”
Hayes stays busy Thursday and Friday, going from school straight to work. He is a technical packer at Amazon, focusing on loading trucks and palletizing boxes to be sent out for delivery. In the summer of 2020, Hayes sought to work during the pandemic.
“I think what drove me was money at first, but now it’s just people. I just go in there, and I talk to people,” said Hayes. “I can be relatable to people and just have a good time and work hard with other people.”
While Hayes works a traditional job, some students like junior business administration major Lexi Bailey run a business while maintaining their status as a full-time student.
“I just started doing my friends’ [makeup] for free, and then about a year later, I had my first bride,” said Bailey. “After my first year, I booked four weddings. I was like, ‘four weddings … this is insane. I’m so excited!’”
Bailey now has 70 weddings booked for 2021, with multiple weddings often falling within the same weekend.
“This year is the most weddings I’ve ever booked. Although they’re 70 weddings, each wedding I’ll do [makeup for] about six to 10 girls,” said Bailey. “It’s definitely taken a lot of not just passion but work ethic because it’s not easy.”
For junior public relations major Mattie Thomas, working full-time as a college student has been daunting but possible through prioritization.
“In the grand scheme of things, we are way more capable than what we think we are as college students,” said Thomas.
As a track and field athlete working two jobs, Thomas recommends starting out with low hours and communicating with management.
“Get your feet wet and just do 10 hours a week instead of working full-time. Test out the [waters] and see what you’re capable of,” said Thomas. “A mentor told me something really wise freshman year: I am in Cleveland for school, and that has to come first.”
Lee University offers several employment resources. Learn more about on and off-campus job opportunities on the Student Employment Office website.
The Center for Calling and Career will also present a virtual career fair this Wednesday, March 24. Find more details on the Center for Calling and Career website.
