By Juliana Seaman
TAMPA, Fla.– From enrolling in classes to juggling part-time jobs to getting involved on campus and navigating the challenges of adulthood, every college student embarks on a unique journey. The overall college experience is not a “one-size-fits-all.”
At The University of Tampa, there are many ways to become involved on campus. With over 300 clubs to join on campus, many students join clubs or extracurricular activities to make new friends, network, or simply because they need an activity to occupy their time. There are also job opportunities for students who need to make a little extra cash.
According to UTampa’s website, there are nearly 1,700 students who hold an on-campus job each year. For some students, working while pursuing a degree is not just an option but a necessity. Whether its purpose is to pay tuition, cover everyday expenses, or gain work experience, university jobs offer students a way to earn money while staying connected to their academic environment.
Emma Dillow, a senior criminology and political science double major at UTampa, has an extensive résumé just from campus involvement alone. As a full-time student living off campus, Dillow considers her college experience to be very stressful.
Aside from her part-time job as a legal assistant off campus, Dillow is also the vice president of Student Government, president of the Criminology Club, and a peer mentor. In addition, she is a member of Mock Trial Club, Women in Law, Phi Eta Sigma, Tri-Alpha National Honor Society, and Alpha Phi Sigma.
For Dillow’s role in Student Government, she receives a stipend of $1,500 off her tuition each year and earns $12 an hour for being a peer mentor.
“I would say out of all the clubs and organizations I’m involved in, my Wednesday night [Criminology] Club would be my favorite,” said Dillow. “I also love my role as vice president for Student Government, but it can be extremely stressful.”
Being vice president ultimately comes with many responsibilities. Each week, Dillow can be found in the Student Government office from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She also attends and leads meetings three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
As a peer mentor, Dillow assists a first-year student’s course every other Tuesday. Her role is to offer academic and social support to first-year students in and out of class.
Despite Dillow’s extremely busy schedule, she enjoys being involved on campus, and she especially enjoys meeting new people, networking with peers, and facing real-world scenarios.
According to Dillow, being involved on campus “helps shape” a person and “prepares them for the real world.”
“It’s for sure a lot of work at the moment, but it will luckily pay off in the long run,” said Dillow. “I knew what I was getting myself into joining all of these clubs and stressing myself out. I just love having some form of leadership. The wages I use as extra spending money since I can’t obviously live off of $12 an hour, but I am very thankful for the stipend.”
Despite the long days, Dillow views her numerous responsibilities as a stepping stone toward her future. She dreams of going to law school and becoming a criminal prosecutor. With her love for the Criminology Club and her drive for leadership, Dillow has a promising future ahead of her.
For many students like Dillow, working on campus is not just about earning money; it is about gaining real-world skills, building connections, and preparing for life beyond graduation.
Juggling both academics and a job can be challenging, but it teaches time management and the importance of responsibility. As students navigate their studies and professional aspirations, their campus jobs serve as stepping stones to future success, shaping them into well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world.
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Photo courtesy of Emma Dillow.