Not much of a break

Whether to sponsor holiday gift-giving, spring textbooks, or just to feed midnight pizza cravings, many IU students choose to work over winter break. Money is often the primary motivator in seeking seasonal employment. Junior Theresa Yaecker will be returning to her New Jersey job to have money for rent and food next semester. \n"My bills don't go away when I go away on vacation," Yaecker said. \nJeremy Podany of the Career Center Instructor said most seasonal employment is available in retail because this is a high shopping season. \n"While there are not as many positions available this year because of the sluggish economy, there are still opportunities if you look in the right place," Podany said.\nHe added that in addition to acquiring money from a seasonal job, it is also possible to acquire professional contacts and mentors. \n"Since networking opportunities exist everywhere," Podany said, these connections can be helpful for getting references or for getting your next job.\nMany retail-clothing stores are just about wrapping up their seasonal hiring for both full-time and part-time positions. Target hired 40 additional associates between the end of October and the end of November to meet the expected holiday shopping crunch, manager Mike Dunkin said.\n"The number of part-time positions has not decreased this year," Dunkin said.\nLocal Wal-Mart assistant manager Carrie Cline knows a lot about working during the holidays. She started as a seasonal worker and worked her way to becoming an assistant manager after graduation. She said that her store hires a mixture of high school, college and local residents for the November-January holiday season. While such workers are not eligible for holiday pay, they are hired at a higher starting wage. \nCline said that she gained a lot of experience, knowledge and patience by working seasonally; it served as a reality check for many fellow workers. \n"(When I started I realized that) something could end at any moment if I was not adequately performing," Cline said, which taught her that she had to earn the right to continue working, an important lesson for the real world.\nBoth Target and Wal-Mart allow students to transfer from a store at home to one in Bloomington. \nFor students wanting to stay away from frantic holiday shoppers, other local establishments are also hiring. At TIS Bookstore, 10-12 veteran workers will assist in preparations for the spring book rush. By doing so, students can learn important people skills, said general manager Greg Lloyd. \n"(The most successful student workers) are eager people with a positive attitude," Lloyd said.\nFor students still seeking employment, local store managers recommend applying immediately as they have almost completed their seasonal hiring. Cline said that it is particularly important for students to have open availability when applying. Instead of refusing to work night or weekend shifts, students who are flexible are given priority. \nIn addition to completing applications at local establishments, Podany suggests visiting the Student Employment Office Web site. Among the on-campus, off-campus and temporary positions currently available, "many local residents are seeking assistance doing yard work or decorating their houses."\nPodany also advises that students not limit their winter work experience to only places where they can earn money. Job shadowing and internships are opportunities to learn about office culture and to gain professional experience. \n"Any time spent in the workplace, whether paid or unpaid, can result in unexpected but beneficial networking opportunities," he said. \nNo matter where students find employment, they should always look to increase marketable skills for the future. Freshman Paige Lacoure will be returning to her Kentucky Dairy Queen for her fourth year of employment. \n"(I'm going back because) it's a source of constant employment and I wanted extra money for presents," Lacoure said. \nNow a manager, she has become familiar with how her store operates and how it functions as part of the larger International Dairy Queen organization. While she does not like it very much, she admits that she has learned how to deal with unpleasant coworkers and customers.\n"I expect that these team work, communication, and interpersonal skills will help me in my future career," she said.