Spring break is officially a thing of the past, and as students push their way through the end of the semester, it’s easy to look forward to summer break. Many students are looking at internships and job opportunities, but they don’t have to look too far—summer employment opportunities on campus are back, with competitive pay rates. 

Special Events and Summer Programs (SESP) offers multiple different employment options for students interested in staying at Elizabethtown College this summer. 

“We aren’t your typical 8-4 office job, which makes every day different and I think that’s really unique,” associate director of SESP Samantha Crossley said. “Summer is a really fun time at Etown!” 

There are two positions with SESP that focus on two aspects of Etown’s summer clients. The first is Building Team Leads, which are similar to the position of resident assistant (RA) during the school year. Students who are employed as Building Team Leads oversee one of two dorm buildings that house international students working for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts for the summer. 

“They have a chance to interact with students from different cultures and backgrounds, and it’s a really cool learning experience for not only the Hershey residents but our students as well,” Crossley said. 

SESP is also looking for part-time RAs to work in the evenings with the Building Team Leads. 

Student Assistants with SESP work with short term camps and conferences hosted by the college to plan logistics of the event. 

“There’s a lot of pre-conference communication via email or phone, setting dorm buildings for groups, working closely with our Tech Ops Department and Catering or Dining, doing check-ins and check-outs,” Crossley said. “Again, every day is different! We host everything from sports camps to music camps to religious conferences to black belt karate. There’s a little bit of everything.” 

With the positions offered by SESP, students get free housing and meals. Building Team Leads and part-time RAs are housed in the dorm buildings and Student Assistants are housed in the Quads. Positions start at $15.25, providing a major incentive for students to join. There are other benefits to staying at Etown over the warmer months. 

“We have so many different groups who utilize our facilities over the summer, and it’s a really great opportunity to see these spaces used in a different way,” Crossley said. “Students also get to know the managers and other key staff members of various departments on campus really well.” 

Another big hit with students who worked with SESP in past years is the golf carts. During work hours, eligible SESP students utilize the vehicles to get around campus to clients. 

SESP is focused on hiring students who will succeed in the roles placed before them. 

“Students who really succeed in these roles are detail oriented, thrive in a fast paced environment, and are customer service focused,” Crossley said. “​​There’s also a lot of planning and organization involved before a group arrives, so being able to keep focused and on top of small details as well as the big ones is key.”

Student Assistants are usually the first face that clients see when they arrive on campus, so it’s important that students are personable and friendly. Crossley said that SESP welcomes all students. 

“SESP is truly a unique experience during the summer, and I think it’s a really great opportunity to build on key resume points for students after they graduate,” Crossley said. “You learn time management, customer service, planning and logistics, and so much more.” 

Interested students can apply on Etown’s student employment page, where SESP and other campus organizations post their summer opportunities.