There are many jobs available on Elizabethtown College’s campus, which can be a great way to earn some cash, gain work experience and even make some new friends. Student positions appear in nearly every building and span a wide variety of interests, including working the circulation desk at the High Library, helping other students polish their research papers in the Baugher Student Center’s Writing Wing or keeping the residence halls safe as a Resident Assistant.
The Steinman Center for Communications and Art is no exception. Second-year Kayla Thomas works as a Student Assistant for Etown’s Art and Design Department.
“My day to day consists of maintaining studio spaces in both the printmaking and ceramic classrooms,” Thomas said.
She sweeps the floors, cleans ink, clay and paint off of the work surfaces and ensures that all the clay dust has been cleared from the classrooms, including in the small crevices.
In addition to her regular tasks, Thomas gets to assist with setting up some of the art shows on campus. She also helps to fire other students’ pieces in the kiln, among various other duties.
A particularly challenging aspect of her job is making glazes for students to use on their ceramic projects.
“I have been preparing the Raku glazes for the ceramic students,” Thomas said. “But on my last glaze I could not get it to mix. I spent the last few days letting it soak in water, and it still hasn’t mixed.”
Even so, she remains positive and isn’t willing to give up. www.etown.edu
“When doing ceramics, sometimes stuff just doesn’t go your way,” she said. “You must be okay with accepting your mistakes and starting over.”
Thomas finds her work enjoyable, especially the interactions with other students of similar or identical majors.
“[Art] is a big passion of mine, and I love sharing it with others,” she said.
As a Fine Arts major, Thomas wanted to find a job that allowed her to improve her own creative work and learn more about the processes that go into it. She heard about the position from Professor Milt Friedly, and with his help, she applied and was later given the job.
According to Thomas, an easy application process isn’t the only perk of being able to work on campus. Her position is flexible and allows her to choose her own hours, which means she usually works between eight to 14 hours a week, fitting them in around her schedule.
“I love working on campus,” Thomas said. “It has helped me break out of my shell, meet new people and try new things.”
Thomas has thoroughly enjoyed her time as a Student Assistant for the Art and Design Department so far, stating that she’s “forever grateful of this opportunity.” Although this is only her second year, she’s excited for the future.
“I cannot wait to continue my work throughout my college career,” she said.
With the semester still in its early days, there are plenty of positions still open across the campus. A link to the full roster is available through Etown’s website, www.etown.edu
