Opportunities Abound for Students Seeking Employment

By Dario Reyes
Pulse Staff Reporter

For Palo Alto College students looking for a summer job or a way to earn some extra cash, there are many job opportunities available.

“I've been working at the Plaza San Antonio for the past year as a valet driver. The pay and the benefits are great,” said David Martinez, a freshman Business major. “I also get to drive every kind of vehicle that I've always dreamed about.”

A college education can be expensive, so many full-time students are also full-time employees. Many students also support their families and pay for luxuries like credit cards, a car and bank loans.

Many job opportunities are available for those who want to work. Large outdoor entertainment facilities and resorts such as The Hyatt Hill Country Resort, La Cantera Golf Course and Schlitterbahn hire many college students.

Every spring semester, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World of Texas hold job fairs at Palo Alto for students looking for a fun place to work.

Charles Clayville, director of Park Operations at Sea World of Texas, began his employment while attending Palo Alto and has since moved up within the company.

San Antonio, a major tourist destination, draws thousands of visitors each year. With its many historic sites and large events, like the pending Pan American Games, San Antonio is becoming an ever-more popular destination.

This trend has opened many employment opportunities. New hotels and restaurants are eager to hire. In addition, many hotels and restaurants are willing to work around school schedules, and they also offer financial aid for those students who are motivated. Employers know that an education is important for a young person trying to succeed in life.

“Working at the Olive Garden Restaurant as a bartender has been a great working experience, and I have been able to meet people from different areas of the world,” said Adrian Esparza, a freshman Nursing major at Palo Alto.

Local telemarketing agencies also offer flexible work schedules for students attending college. Companies like West Telemarketing offer shifts to fit your school schedule.

“West offers great hourly pay. All I do is process the orders and take calls, but West is very strict with attendance,” said Ben Martinez, a sophomore Chemical Engineering major.

H-E-B hires many Palo Alto students to work as checkers, baggers, stockers and pharmacy technicians.

“Working at a grocery store as a pharmacy tech has been a great experience in balancing full-time work and school. I work 40 hours a week to pay bills and attend school full-time, because my employer, H-E-B, works around my schedule,” said Michael Tobias, a freshman Pharmacology major.

The Palo Alto Career Resource Center, located in Room 119 of the P building, is another place to find employment. You are required to sign your name and fill out a referral slip for the job you are interested in. The employer will call you at home to arrange for an interview. The jobs range from temporary agencies, telemarketing, clerical work, food service, media, education and health.