The start of a new semester can be a great opportunity for students looking for employment through Butler, but school officials say that it may be a little more difficult to find a job this semester because they’re in high demand.

Student Employment Coordinator Liz Freedman said that the on-campus employment outlook is mostly a reflection of the real-world job market.

In addition to the gloomy economic climate, Freedman said the combination of factors such as high student volume, slow department growth and students keeping the same job throughout their college career may make finding a job on campus more difficult than before.

“This year, it’s very competitive for on-campus jobs,” Freedman said. “They are very limited.”

She stressed that students should get their résumé critiqued and consistently network with professors and classmates to find out about jobs that may not be listed online.

“[At] the beginning of every semester, more jobs are in abundance,” Freedman said. “Word of mouth is very big on campus and that’s how you’ll find a lot of jobs that aren’t visible on BLUE.”

While regular jobs may be hard to snatch up, this semester in particular has offered new, expanded opportunities for students eligible to participate in the work-study program.

This year, Butler has added three new organizations.

Among these are new opportunities are positions with organizations such as the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Humane Society of Indianapolis. Freedman recommends that students log on to the BLUE Network to get a list of the full range of opportunities available to them.

For students looking to stay on campus, Freedman said that there is still a variety of employment opportunities familiar to students. Opportunities are usually available at the bookstore, Irwin Library, the HRC, Starbucks, Atherton Union, the Butler Telefund, residence halls, as well as partnerships with professors and jobs in academic offices.

For students who are unsure if they’ll be able to balance work and school responsibilities, Freedman still recommends trying an on-campus job for the flexibility in hours that they offer.

“I firmly believe that you’re a student first, but I think taking on a job in addition to your classes is an amazing idea,” Freedman said. “Your education is going to be essential and you’re also going to need professional development, communication skills, sense of responsibility.”

She added that student employment can often lead to making meaningful connections that may be useful post-graduation.

Senior Elementary Education major Peter Renwick said that a job helps him in more ways than one.

“Juggling a job and school is setting me up for the real world,” he said. “I love hearing about alumni’s experiences at Butler.”

Mary Kate Hattenberger, manager of the Butler Call Center, said that working at the Butler Telefund offers these advantages of flexible scheduling while also being a great résumé builder. The Telefund is just one of many on-campus jobs where students help raise money for scholarships, technology, athletics, and more.

“Working at Butler Telefund enables you to work for a meaningful and worthwhile cause calling alumni, parents, and friends of Butler University,” Hattenberger said.

Freedman agreed and said the variety and scope of on-campus employment offers something for everyone.

“Every student can find a type of job on campus that fits their interest,” Freedman said.