Jessie Pollett found a job on campus that she says is one of the best places a student could work.

A good salary, study time and meeting new people are all benefits she said she enjoys while working at the Hill and Oglethorpe House front desks.

“You can pretty much choose your own schedule that fits with school and the rest of your life, and you get paid to meet people and study,” said Pollett, a sophomore from Athens.

Desk assistants such as Pollett spend their time in the offices found on the first floor of most dormitories. They are responsible for checking in packages and mail received for students, contacting security and answering questions. Hours are flexible and based on student schedules.

Pollett said she spends most of her time on the job studying, which she said is definitely a perk.

The University transit system, the dining hall, the Ramsey Center and the front desks in the dormitories are just a few places students can be found working around campus.

On-campus job wages average about $6 to $6.50 an hour, said Ronnie Swoopes, the assistant director of the Career Center.

A few factors can play into the amount one might receive.

For instance, if a professor oversees the job, he could have a grant that allows him to pay students more than the average salary.

Also, jobs that require more training generally pay higher. Driving a campus bus earns a student $10 an hour due to extensive training and responsibility.

Swoopes said the staff is dedicated to working with the University to produce many able students who benefit from both the education they receive and the experiences they get during college.

Employers are not just looking for an educated student, Swoopes said. They also are looking for time management, communication and technical skills.

“The management skills you will learn apply to the outside world,” Swoopes said. “They are your assets.”

The Career Center helps students get jobs after college, but it also helps them locate internships and jobs during their stay, such as campus employment opportunities.

All of the jobs on campus are competitive, Swoopes said.

However, most of the applications the Career Center receives are for food services, the library, laboratories and the Athletic Association.

Students have access to all jobs that are available on campus through the Career Center Web site and DawgTRAK, the 24-hour-a-day free job search manned by the Student Employment Office.

Nicole Levy, a freshman from Decatur, chose to work for food services at freshman orientation last summer.

Her title, student employee, is fitting – she’s a student, but there are many functions that can be assigned to the job. The manager divvies tasks to approximately 10 students depending on what position needs to be filled, she said. Anything from wiping tables to cooking omelets is designated for student workers.

Levy said she also gets a chance to eat for free.

“We get a certain percentage of the meal plan back, and the hours are flexible,” Levy said.

She said the only cons to the job are the heat in the kitchen and the complaints of students.

Other than that, she said the job is like any other job with its good days and bad days.