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Show A2 JULY 15, 2013 Workin' it while on campus UVU offers students flexibility, accessibility, and responsibility with the various employment options on campus By Juan Whiting Reporter juanclayton@gmail.com Whether you've saved up enough to make it through the semester, or you're just plain broke, working can bring in extra cash while sprucing up that resume you need when you graduate. If you are looking for part-time employment, temp work, or meaningful work experience, UVU is a great place to look first. For those who are looking for their first job, the hunt can be daunting. It can seem like if you don't have experience, you can't get a job. So, what is the best way to get started if you don't have that experience? Christie Snyder, UVU's HR Generalist, has some hints. "It's all about what you want," Snyder said. "Get to know the professors and admins so they get to know you and your skills." There are a lot of things that students can show faculty and administration by just doing well in school. Punctuality, consistency, and hard work are some specific skills that faculty can see from students right off the bat. UVU is continually growing, and Snyder explained that with the new buildings and classrooms, students will see more jobs available. "You may go from a custodial job to a research job and then to an administrative job," Snyder said. "Even though they are different jobs they are with the same institution and that shows consistency as an employee." Consistency is huge for many employers looking for loyal employees willing to stick with the company and become valuable assets to an organization. Another major reason for looking for work on campus is the flexibility in scheduling with schoolwork. According to Snyder, UVU understands the needs of students, and they are very willing to work around their busy schedules. Utah's job market is expanding. UVU knows that there is a competition for employees. This is one of the reasons that UVU is more flexible with students. "We like to fill our on-campus jobs first," Snyder said. Going hand-in-hand with this flexibility is UVU's accessibility for students. To be able to run from class to work quickly is a big bonus for most students who work at UVU. They are able to cut some of the costs and time of travel that working off campus often requires. Sometimes there is little difference between work and school for students that help professors with research, tutor students, or work in their fields of study on campus. 66 It's all about what you want. Get to know the professors and admin so they get to know you and your skills. CHRISTIE SNYDER UVU HR Generalist UU Students can find much more fulfillment, as they are able to further their education with this kind of experience. Professors are also more apt to give students more responsibility than a business outside of campus. With all of the job options out there, UVU provides students a great way for financing their education without taking a hit on grades. Cutting out the stress and hassle of trying to schedule an off-campus job can be a huge blessing for students that are just getting started. Giving students meaningful experience improves the experiential education that UVU is striving to achieve. Students can use their time in college to build a résumé that shows both consistency and loyalty to such a fast-growing institution. LAURA FOX/UVU REVIEW UVU students looking to focus on their education without piling on the debt, can look into working on campus to simplify the process. The bookstore prepares for the battle of the books Students buying their textbooks online have challenged the bookstore to become more competitive against online retailers By KresLynn Knouse Assistant News Editor @KresLynn Traditional bookstores continue to compete with online retailers as students lean toward shopping online for their books. With the cost of textbooks soaring into the hundreds of dollars, students are making precarious decisions about where to buy their books so they can save some serious cash. Online textbook retailers such as Half.com , Amazon.com , and Chegg.com often boast their low prices and extensive selection. However, the first reason students choose to buy their textbooks online is because they want to save money. "Even though this will be my first time buying textbooks online, I'm not worried because I've bought from Amazon so many times and never had any problems," freshman Solomon Akporere said. "The bookstore prices are just too high, maybe if they lowered their prices I would go there." Some students are wary of buying from the bookstore because of things they've heard from other students or read online A common misconception among students is that bookstores have higher prices simply "because they can." David Morris, Textbook Manager at the UVU bookstore, cau- 66 I've had students come to the bookstore in a panic because the book they've ordered online was the wrong book, or didn't come with a required code. DAVID MORRIS UVU Bookstore Textbook Manager UU tions students about the inaccuracies there are about the bookstore. "We're not like a traditional bookstore—we don't increase our price margins just because the textbook sells more copies," Morris said. "Our margins may seem more expensive, but that's because our market is just textbooks. We have software that allows us to adjust the cost to be competitively priced, so we're doing our best to sell you that book for the lowest price." Although most students have had experience ordering material online, ordering textbooks online is another ballpark according to Morris. "I've had students come to the bookstore in a panic because the book they've ordered online was the wrong book, or didn't come with a required code. Other times, professors will change the course textbook at the last minute and students that ordered the previous book have to deal with returning it before the semester begins," Morris said. "Traditional bookstores hold several advantages over online retailers despite the higher cost," Morris said. "We have staff here to support students and ensure they get the exact material they need for each class. Our books aren't due back until after finals, and if you end up with the wrong book, we'll replace it. Also, proceeds from the bookstore directly support UVU. The bookstore gives $20,000 annually to the athletic department." The UVU bookstore has initiated several incentives to get students who shop there a better deal. One way is through their rewards program at Scoops— just swipe your student ID with any purchase and the total cost will add "points" to your card. You are then eligible to earn up to a $25 gift card at the bookstore. Coupons for the bookstore are also available in all UVU planners. "Discounts are a good idea, but I still think students are going to buy online just because it's cheaper. Textbooks are expensive, so students want to save money wherever possible," Masae Tao, a senior, said. The bookstore's high prices are a deterrent to most students, but there are advantages to buying from the bookstore similar to the advantages of buying online. Students just have to consider if they would rather have support in person, or if they just want the cheapest book available on the market. 7,, 1111111111re cr. -onopd -11 - - T;.• k■ ,! 71M0 11...014 I LAURA FOX/UVU REVIEW The UVU Bookstore works to compete with online textbook sales by upping their game and ensuring students get the right book every time. |