Working during college, even in a position that is not directly field-related, gives students an edge over other individuals in the work field.
Students’ jobs give them real-world experiences that allow them to handle situations outside of the classroom and off campus.
Shaka Richardson, a junior communication major from Las Vegas, said working as a ski instructor at Brian Head Resort has helped him acquire patience toward others, especially three-year-old children.
Richardson said he enjoys teaching kids how to ski.
“It’s just the joy of having the kids love you, the parents adore you and the instructors admire you,” he said. “I think that’s a great benefit in itself.”
Richardson said he has been teaching basic skiing skills by working as a ski instructor at Brian Head Day Care for the past four years.
Since the kids are 3 years old, most don’t learn advance skiing skills. Richardson said he lets them have fun in the snow and train them on the basic knowledge of balance with skis.
He said he teaches them how to stand, turn, stop, jump, kick snow and take their skis off while enjoying a great atmosphere.
Richardson said an interesting aspect of his job is working with kids he has not seen for a year and then having them remember him the next time he teaches them. Richardson said it creates a good feeling and makes the lesson go a lot smoother, he said.
Caliphea Blackhorn, a junior economics major from Navajo Mountain, said working in a restaurant helps people approach the world with a more compassionate attitude.
Blackhorn said she works as a hostess at Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant, where she is responsible for keeping the flow of the restaurant.
“It’s a huge social atmosphere; it’s nice to see people,” Blackhorn said. “I’ve always been hesitant working in a restaurant because I’ve heard that working in a restaurant is stressful, you know you either like it or you don’t but I wanted to do it mainly for the social part.”
She said she thinks everyone needs a restaurant experience; it just helps people appreciate restaurants more.
Blackhorn said she never knows what to expect from guests.
A service dog came into the restaurant with its owner once, so not only did she have to tend to the guest but to the owner’s dog as well, she said.
Mitch Olson, a junior history major from Salt Lake City, said his job working as a mentor for incoming freshmen teaches him personal responsibility.
Olson, a University 1000 mentor, said watching the students transfer from a high school to a college setting is an experience in itself.
“It’s really funny because they ask you stereotypical questions about college experience,” Olson said.
Every semester there are lessons separating the boys from the girls. The students write anonymous questions for the opposite sex.
Olson said it’s funny to watch the students’ reactions to the questions and answers.
Olson said working with the students and college professors has allowed him to gain a good work ethic and responsibility as a mentor.
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