Students have a decreased pool of job opportunities because of time-consuming schoolwork and other extracurricular activities, so they often find unique jobs and develop interesting skills which can be used beyond their majors.
Scott Sicard, a biological sciences junior and LSU track team member, works as a bouncer for Reggie’s Bar and a busboy for Glen’s Restaurant and Bar.
While planning his classes around track and work, Sicard balances his schedule by working at Glen’s during the day, while Reggie’s is a night job.
“My primary goal in life is to get into medical school,” said Sicard. “I wouldn’t work at all if I didn’t have to save money for med school and pay my truck note. Including school and track, all my jobs cause a serious time crunch.”
Sicard began working at Reggie’s and Glen’s this summer after transferring from Rhodes College last year. Previously involved in a fraternity that is not on LSU’s campus, Sicard became a bouncer to fill the social hole from the fraternity.
“I’m constantly meeting people, and I consider the Reggie’s staff a fraternity – I’m good friends with all of them,” said Sicard.
A friend referred Sicard to Glen’s, and he has met many prominent professionals in Baton Rouge by working at the upscale restaurant and bar.
“I think that jobs where I meet many people have made me better with communication and helped me form important contacts with professionals for the future,” said Sicard. “I feel that these skills can also help me in future relationships.”
Although jobs at bars can be stressful, with late hours and breaking up fights, Sicard believes that his personality has changed for the better.
“I used to always be nice and never stood up for myself, but now I have to enforce the rules about underage drinking and inappropriate behavior and speak up,” said Sicard.
To balance these demanding jobs, Sicard tries not to work long hours at Reggie’s and begins classes at 11:30 a.m.
Liz Earle, a pre-mass communication sophomore, balances two on-campus jobs – at the Rec Center and as a KLSU disc jockey – with school and singing in an alternative music band. She juggles these activities by taking Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes and working Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“Basically I am saving up for when I graduate college so I have something to start on, and also to pay for gas and extra stuff that I like to do,” said Earle.
Earle hopes to go into radio or television and thinks having the experience with equipment and with broadcasting will help her find jobs and succeed in the sound media business.
Earle received an LSU scholarship that provided her with an on-campus job when she enrolled at LSU.
There are approximately 5,076 student employees at LSU, and approximately 1,300 students receive a job position with their scholarship. There are currently 1,285 students working off-campus through the College Work Study program, said Kristen Harbour from Student Employment.