By Laurie Merrill
GCU News Bureau
More than 5,000 Grand Canyon University students packed the Career Services Student Worker Job Fair Friday at GCU Arena. Students lined up at tables for application information, and an especially long line formed for jobs at the bowling alley in Thunderground.
One was freshman Clinise Jackson, who carried a folder containing her resumé. Jackson said she applied for various part-time positions, but would like to use her experience as a cafeteria employee in her old high school.
“It’s is a great opportunity for students to learn skills to get them prepared for jobs,” said Jacqueline Smith, director of Career Services, about the job fair.
GCU has about 650 student worker openings this fall, up from 400 vacancies a year ago. About 2,500 students will be hired into part-time positions on campus this year, up from 1,800 during 2014-15, Smith said.
Job pay also is on the rise. Hourly pay ranges from $8.05 to $10.38, up from between $8 and $9 last year, said Bianca Shaw, Career Services student employment administrator.
GCU’s 85 departments each hire at least one student worker, while some departments, such as food and dining services, hire many more, Smith said.
New this year are positions at the recording studio in the engineering building, jobs in the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs, openings at the Grand Canyon University Hotel, and jobs at the many new restaurants swinging open their doors, Shaw said.
Freshman Hannah Moore was looking for a position in technology, customer service or design.
“I am looking for a job that matches my major, advertising design,” Moore said.
Spenser Maier, a transfer student, said his ideal position is in community marketing and public relations. But in reality, “I’ll take anything that pays the bills,” Maier said.
Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or [email protected].
