While working retail at the Hopkins Museum Gift Shop, Sue DuBois '05 met a '51 "and he was telling me about the old days of Dartmouth, before it was coed."
Nhan Huynh '03, who works behind the information desk at Baker Library, has been asked how tall the building is.
DuBois and Huynh are just an example of a number of students at Dartmouth who have on-campus jobs which have less work compared to many other jobs and are more conducive to studying. These jobs are popular among students because they allow more time to do homework. The tasks of these jobs can vary, but typically consist of answering questions from visitors or other students and straightening up at the end of the day.
"I answer questions and check IDs," said Bruno Carvalho '04, Alumni gym front desk monitor.
Music department monitor Joanne Sprague '04 said she opens doors for people without keys and closes the department at night.
Emily Chenel '04, gallery attendant at the Hop, said that her tasks involve "making sure that nothing is harmed, recording the number of people that come in, and helping with receptions."
According to the students, between 10-50 percent of the shift is spent doing job duties. "It depends on the day, but usually it's less than half," DuBois said.
Most students at these jobs spend the remaning time doing homework. DuBois added that she also occasionally purchases items from the gift shop.
"I try to read. I also use Blitz," admitted Huynh.
The students agreed that it was relatively simple to apply for their jobs. "I saw an ad for it in the music newsletter, so I just walked in and filled out an application," Sprague said.
Carvalho became interested in applying when he walked into the gym. "It just seemed like a pretty cool job, so I asked for it."
Most of the jobs pay between $6.50 and $7.50 per hour to start, which is comparable to the rate earned by working for Dartmouth Dining Services -- a job that is less cushier, although working for DDS comes with other benefits like food discounts. Huynh noted that for her job, "for every term, you get 10 cents [per hour] added to your salary."
All of the students interviewed said that they like their jobs. "I like it. I think I'm very fortunate to have it," Huynh said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Sprague: "I enjoy it because it's very low key, and I enjoy meeting the people that work in the Music Department."
Chenel also likes her job. "I am very happy. It's the plushest job on campus."
