For many Iowa State students, having an on-campus job while they are in school is an appealing and convenient way to make money.

Bridget Sullivan, a sophomore in management information systems and a Student Admissions Representative (STARS) tour guide for Iowa State starts her day by attending classes and grabbing lunch before her shift.  

“I can go to all my classes and have lunch before I go to work and have time to change and drop my backpack off,” Sullivan said. “Then I walk to work, which is just at the MU, so it’s a pretty easy and quick walk.” 

Once at the Memorial Union, she prepares for her shift.  

“I go in the back office, get my microphone, and then I go out and chat with the other tour guides while we wait for families to show up and direct them to the right spots,” Sullivan said. 

The tours start with an introductory video before the groups are split into smaller sections.  

“I would say my average group is like ten to fifteen people,” Sullivan said. “I like a bigger group, it’s easier to talk to because they ask more questions.”

Sullivan then leads prospective students and their families around campus, making stops at key locations such as the Campanile, Gerdin Business Building, Curtiss Hall, Catt Hall, LeBaron Hall, Parks Library, the Student Innovation Center and Hoover Hall. Throughout the tour, she answers various questions, especially from first-time college students and their parents.  

“Some of the questions I get are really funny,” Sullivan said. “I like talking to first-time college students and their parents because they tend to have the most questions and are the most into it.” 

She kicks off conversations by getting to know her visitors.  

“I usually start every conversation with, ‘Where are you guys coming from?’ Then I’ll ask them what they are majoring in and stuff like that,” Sullivan said.

After finishing the tour back at the MU, Bridget clocks out and heads home, wrapping up another day of showcasing Iowa State. 

For Samantha Cranstoun, a junior studying interior design, working at the Iowa State Testing Center provides a different experience. As a team lead, she has two primary responsibilities—proctoring exams and handling check-ins and check-outs. 

“There’s kind of two different roles you can play while you’re working,” Cranstoun said. “First is proctoring, so kind of walking around, making sure testers don’t need help with any technical issues, keeping an eye out for any cheaters.” 

The other role involves the check-in and check-out process.  

“That is basically making sure the testers have all the requirements they need for their exam, like a calculator or double-checking they have the right notes if they are allowed,” Cranstoun said. “Also, making sure they don’t have anything on them that they shouldn’t have, like their phone on or any watches or things like that. Check-out is just making sure they leave all those materials when they leave.” 

Cranstoun said one of the perks of the job is its flexibility.  

“It’s nice because the hours are pretty flexible, so I can work an hour or two in between classes if I need to,” Cranstoun said.  

When the testing center isn’t busy, she can catch up on her studies.  

“I also get paid to do my homework half the time,” she said. “When it’s really slow, I am able to get some homework done, so it’s really nice.”

For Claire Boswell, a senior in elementary education, working as a student office assistant for the College of Health and Human Sciences provides a structured yet flexible work environment.  

“Normally, I walk in and sit at the front desk and sign in,” Boswell said. “I usually start by checking our email inbox and answering any emails that need to be addressed.”

Her daily tasks also include maintaining the office space.  

“Then, I go to the break room and refill our ice tray and clean our space,” Boswell said. “Then I’ll go get the mail if I work in the morning.”

While the job has its busy moments, Boswell said she appreciates the downtime, which allows her to focus on schoolwork.

“I will sit and normally do homework until someone calls us,” Boswell said. “We get a lot of calls about prospective students wanting to be in the College of Health and Human Sciences.”

Beyond handling calls and emails, Boswell takes on larger tasks once a semester.  

“I have to call all of our recently graduated people from the College of Health and Human Sciences and ask them if they are employed or not and what their jobs are, then keep it on a spreadsheet,” Boswell said.  

The social aspect of her job also makes it enjoyable.

“I talk to my coworkers and my boss a lot,” Boswell said. “We just chit-chat in the office.”

Boswell loves her position and considers it her best job yet.  

“It’s my favorite job so far, and I’ve had like seven,” she said. “My favorite thing about this job is it’s a government job, so I make 100% of what I earn.”  

However, as a student employee, she is limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week. 

For opportunities like these, visit CyHire.