AU students seek on campus employment, connection with peers

By Chris Woods | News Editor

Augusta University students gathered Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the Student Employment Fair sponsored by Career Services and Financial Aid to find on-campus employment opportunities as well as new ways to connect with fellow students.

The event was held in the Jaguar Student Activities Center ballroom where students interacted with and provided resumes to 11 departments from around campus. Many opportunities for federal work study and non-federal work study jobs were available. 

Tuesday’s fair was prefaced with uncertainty since it was the first in-person job fair since 2018 after an extended period stricken by COVID-19, according to Career Services director Julie Goley. However, she said 70 students attended the fair, and she and the departments were very happy with the turnout.

“I was very pleased with the event, but coming out of COVID, we weren’t sure what to expect. The departments were very pleased with the students who came by,” she said.

Goley also highlighted the benefits of an on-campus job versus working off campus, saying students can enjoy more flexible schedules around classwork and finals but also opens up doors for unexpected opportunities.

“I would not have a career in higher education myself if I had not been exposed to working on campus...when I was in college,” she said. “That just opened up a new level of ‘oh, people go to school to do these different types of things that I had not considered before.’”

Junior Nathaniel Walters said he is looking for these different opportunities in an on-campus job, which would be convenient but will also help with meeting new people. 

“I’m looking for a job specifically on campus. I think it will be a great way to get to know other students,” he said.

Osarume Ogala, a 17-year-old first-semester freshman, said he is looking to take advantage of the flexibility talked about by Goley.

“I came today as an opportunity to learn about jobs around campus,” he said. “I would like an assistant job, one that can accommodate my class schedule.”

While the fair welcomed a steady flow of students around the room, Campus Recreation appeared to draw quite the crowd and offered plenty of open positions. Intramural Sports Coordinator Bryan Waller and Associate Director of Campus Recreation Patsy Davis represented the table.

Waller said, “Coming out of COVID, we’re doubling down on hiring. We’re down to six officials since end of spring ‘21, and we need as close to 20 as possible.”

One student eager to work with Campus Recreation was interviewed and hired at the job fair.

“The first student approached the table and said, ‘I can fill all of those shifts.’ So, pulled him aside, interviewed him and hired him on the spot,” said Davis, who hires student staff for the recreation center.

Goley said she is considering this a “reset year” in which Career Services is planning an effective mix of in-person and online events and workshops based on student wants and requirements with hopes for an in-person job fair in February.

“There’s always going to be a need and a desire for online and in-person, but we’re all kind of finding our way as to what circumstances derive the opportunities that make the most sense,” she said. “Providing the protocols allow, we’ll go back to an in-person job fair in February.”

Email Chris Woods @riwoods@augusta.edu

Students discuss potential job opportunities with campus employees at the job fair. (Photos by Chris Woods)