Another day, another $7.69

 While administrators, faculty and staff are often considered the employees of A&M-Commerce, it is student workers that allow this university to operate on a day-to-day basis.

According to Director of Payroll and Employment Services Lisa Blackwell, there are approximately 440 student workers at A&M-Commerce as of February's payroll.

"Departments all over campus employ student workers but larger numbers are employed in areas such as Student Center, Morris Recreation Center and Residence Life," Blackwell said.

The average student worker makes $7.69 an hour, with the majority of them making minimum wage ($7.25), according to Blackwell.

A&M-Commerce also employs more than 280 students through the federal and state work-study program.

"We get both state and federal money for work-study, and it is awarded on first come, first serve basis in the order that students turn in their FAFSA," Adviser in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Renee Walker said. "The priority is for student who were already in work study, but we try to accommodate everyone as best we can."

Students in the work-study program can work up to 19 hours a week and earn money that they were awarded through financial aid.

"The purpose of work-study is to give the students an opportunity to earn money and get some work experience on their resume," Walker said.

Work-study jobs are currently posted on the website through the payroll office, although control over these postings will soon be given to career services.

"Career services will do some training with the students on work etiquette, how to apply for a job, how to handle yourself at a job and how to be a dedicated employee," Walker said.

Currently all work-study employees are paid minimum wage, although Walker is working to develop a merit-based pay system.

Senior Crystal Bright works at the Morris Recreation Center as a supervisor. As a social work major, Bright said the job has helped her in academic endeavors.

"Getting the supervisor position, that helps me with responsibility, time management, and all that kind of stuff," she said.

Bright chose job because she knew people already in similar positions at the MRC.

"I found the job because a lot of my friends work here as supervisors," she said. "I'm in Gamma Phi Beta, and two of my sisters are supervisors here, as well. So, they directed me toward it."

The atmosphere at the MRC is one of the top reasons Bright says she enjoys her job.

"With the people who work here, it all flows well together," she said. "Everybody works well together, there's not really any arguments that break out. It's just a good environment."

Junior Spanish major Hannah Armstrong enjoys her position as a student ambassador.

"Every spring, the school sends out an e-mail to everyone that says if you are interested in being in this program, then you can apply," she said. "You get a scholarship, $500 per semester that you're in it, and then you get paid by the hour as well. You're basically an ambassador for the university as a student, give tours, and do things like work at Mane Event. "

According to Armstrong, her job has helped her communicate better.

"I like it a lot. I guess it helps me talk to people and practice my communications skills, explaining things and talking to a big group of people, since I want to go into teaching," she said.