Holiday Jobs Come Easier to Some

After four months of living it up as prodigal college students, winter break is an opportunity for many UB students to find a winter job and earn back some of the money that disappeared so quickly during the semester.

Some students, however, have had trouble finding jobs over winter break, though they remain optimistic because of the demand for low-wage labor during the holiday season.

Deena Jureller, a senior childhood development major, has two jobs waiting for her when she goes home: one at a dance studio, one at a daycare center. Jureller said she's glad to be working over break because she enjoys the steady income.

"If I didn't have a job over break it would be a bad thing because I wouldn't be making any money," she said.

Like other UB students, Jureller worked during the semester, but is looking forward to getting more hours during winter break.

Jureller added although she works a lot over break, she still feels rejuvenated when coming back for the spring semester.

"I do have time for a little relaxing," she said. "I also look forward to coming back because a lot of my good friends are from out of town."

On the other side of the spectrum, students like Eser Yildirim plan to take the semester off from working to catch up on good, old-fashioned rest and relaxation.

"I'm not getting a job mainly because over winter break I like to relax and travel and see friends," he said.

If anything else, Yildirim said it wouldn't make sense to work because he wouldn't be around enough to work the hours most places require. Instead, he'll be with his family in Florida and Montreal.

"There is no point in me even looking for a job," he said. "And after school starts I wouldn't continue with the job, especially since most places cut back on hours more for new employees."

Yildirim also said he isn't interested in looking for a winter job because he has an on-campus job waiting for him in the spring semester.

"There is a lot of potential to make money since we will be off for almost a month, but I think I make enough during the semester that I can just take the break as time off and enjoy it," he said.

"I think those students who work 40 or more hours a week over break are missing out on the chance to enjoy the holidays, recharge for the spring semester, and see friends and family," Yildirim added. "However, they also get a chance to build up their bank accounts so they have less to worry about when the next semester starts."

Meanwhile, some UB students are struggling to find employment during the winter break.

Tom Farley, a senior business and sociology major, has been unsuccessful so far in his search to pad his bank account between semesters.

"I've been looking for about a week now," he said.

Whatever job he gets, Farley said it would only be brief because he doesn't live near UB and wouldn't be able to keep it during the spring semester.

As for down time, Farley weighed the pros and cons of working over the break.

"Of course leisure is a use of my time I feel is always well-spent, there is a certain amount of satisfaction I get from having a sense of accomplishment that comes with most jobs," he said.

And as for missing out by working during the vacation, Farley said that he's not worried because he can always hang out at another time.

"For the most part the recreational activities we engage in are relatively repetitious in nature, so what I may miss out one night or day is easily recouped the next," Farley said.

Although he's been unsuccessful so far, Farley added he it shouldn't be very difficult to find a job because holiday help usually is in high demand. And if he doesn't have any luck getting hired, there are other options.

"I have a lot of elderly neighbors so I can be the neighborhood driveway guy if it comes down to it," he said.

Dan Ryan, the director of Career Services, said he's noticed increased activity in the office with students looking for a job over winter break, which makes sense since "students have more time over break to work when compared to being at school."

Ryan said there are plenty of opportunities to find a job over break, but finding a high paying job might prove difficult for most students.

"I advise everyone to go to the Jan. 5 'Jobsapalooza' at the Buffalo Convention Center, which would be a great help to student's job search," he said.