LMU celebrates student employees across campus with morning coffee, snacks, prizes, and student employee spotlights on the @WorkingLions Instagram during Student Employment Week from April 4-8.
On average, LMU employs in the academic year about 3,400 students who work an average of 8-10 hours a week in 5,500 various jobs across all departments on campus. Two student employees share their perspective on what it’s like working as a student at LMU.
Ruby Walker ‘23 is a film, television and media studies major from Boulder, Colorado. She currently works in the Student Employment Services office as a co-general for the Student Worker program. In this role, she helps oversee 22 students in the program to make sure they are meeting their 20-hour minimum work requirement. Walker also helps schedule meetings, plan events, and coordinate with university staff to set up large events. Walker started working as a student employee as a first-year student for Facilities Management in the recycling yard where she assisted full-time staff with collecting and sorting the university’s recyclables.
Walker said working as a co-general has helped provide experience in leadership that she can transfer to any position after college. “This has also given me a network of people that I can call upon in the future,” said Walker. “My favorite part of my job is the people I work with. They make the sometimes stressful or difficult days more fun and enjoyable.”
“Through the Student Worker Program, I have met so many people with different backgrounds and cultures from my own,” said Walker. “I’ve gotten to learn about them and see a much more diverse world from Boulder, Colorado.” When she is not working or attending classes, Walker is involved with the Ignatians Service Organization and the Student Brewing Club.
Cristina Pedler ‘22, an international relations major from San Diego, began working as a first-year student in the Office of the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs in Malone and is now the student manager for the office. Pedler also works as an associate editor for LMU’s Asia Media International, a digital media publication out of LMU, and will continue working for the publication after graduation this May.
As student manager, Pedler oversees a team of 25 student employees in the office and checks in on them, creates and updates training, hires and onboards new student staff, and helps visitors to our office get all their questions answered. “I’ve learned the value of creating and sustaining relationships in my team and even across teams in other departments,” said Pedler. “No matter what your role is, being a supportive and positive-minded person is going to get you far.”
“I’ve chosen to shape my experience at LMU around the development of my whole person, to integrate mind, body and spirit,” said Pedler. “I’ve developed my mental self through engagement with different on-campus learning opportunities, my physical self through exercise classes at the Burns Recreation Center, and my spiritual self through different modes of reflection, whether that be through art, yoga classes, or Campus Ministry.” Pedler is also involved with the ASLMU, Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society, Order of Omega, Campus Ministry and Latinx Student Union.
