If you are an NDSU student with a meal plan or just happen to frequent the dining centers, you have probably noticed numerous signs around the dining centers persuading students to apply. But should you?
As a current student supervisor at Residence Dining Center this question is hard. Do I want more employees? Yes, of course, but is this job for everyone? Not at all.
This past year has been rocky for the dining centers. With a new manager and new procedures at Residence, construction around West, New hours for both, and understaffing for all dining centers it’s a lot to deal with.
Another issue many experiences with the dining centers is the lack of communication between student managers and student employees. Ariel, a student employee at West Dining Center had a lot to say about the communication quality “Its told that if you work you get a free meal, however the fine print is that this is merely a free meal coming in 30 min before or after your shift and you only get a break if you work a minimum of four hours, this is really only informed after you’ve started working. I was also never told that West was closing a half hour later than last year. I only found out when I had to work a closing shift.”
Ariel was shocked to find that it's not a four-hour shift that gets you a break its if you work over four hours. So, if you are scheduled to work 11-3 you don’t get a break but if you are scheduled to work 11-3:01 you would be guaranteed a break. This issue also leads into the issue of being understaffed.
When employees are scheduled to work for these four hours they must leave once they have worked that, otherwise they would have needed a break. This becomes an issue at closing time. We have a mass of students needing to leave at a certain time, but we have work that goes beyond that time. This leave full timers working until as late as 10pm when they should have left at 8:30. (For Residence Dining Center)
So, the dining centers need more employees. As you have been reading this you might be thinking why you would ever want to work there, but it's not all bad. For starters it’s simple to get hired. (To apply visit NDSU Dining online or follow this web address https://ndstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6EEXgwMHHu2ywLz ) Your schedule for work is based off your schedule for class, so you won’t have to worry about having to work during class. Your work schedule is also the same all semester. (unless it’s asked that you sign up to work special events such as the Thanksgiving meal). The dining centers all have different hours too, so you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle. Free on the weekends? Work at Residence. Night owl? West. Want all weekends and holidays off? Then apply at the Union. For those living on campus and without a car, this job is convenient. All dining centers are within walking distance. Lastly, starting October 16th the new starting wage is $10 an hour. This is $2 more than last year and $1.75 more than the starting wage at the beginning of the school year.
Though there are issues that need to be resolved at the dining centers, if you need a job and you want a free meal with work then I would strongly suggest you apply. The job is tough at times. If you can’t take touching dirty dishes or standing over hot grills, then maybe think a little longer before jumping into an application. But, I can say that the dining center has been a great job while I’m here. I have learned a lot, advanced from a student employee to a supervisor, made friends, and increased my work ethic. So, should you apply?
No comments:
Post a Comment