Chevelle Thomas has two jobs on campus — and that’s not all. The Brandywine junior, who is currently studying psychology, is also vice president of the Student Government Association, president of Lion Ambassadors (LAMBS), and sits on the Student Activities Fee committee. Previously, she has served as an orientation leader, tutor and peer mentor.
Because of her busy schedule, the selling point for her campus jobs was convenience.
“I don’t leave campus, which means I don’t have to worry about commuting time or gas costs,” said Thomas. “At the café, my schedule is consistent the whole semester. Most off-campus jobs change schedules every week.”
Thomas is a shift leader at the Blue Apple Café, overseeing other student workers and serving wherever she is needed. With LAMBS, she gives tours of campus to prospective students and their families.
Since Thomas represents the campus in a number of student leadership positions, she chose jobs that would allow her to get to know the Brandywine community better.
“When high school students tour campus, I am one of the first faces they see — and at Blue Apple, I get to interact with students all day long,” she said. “I learn their names faster. I know their orders. I also get to see faculty and staff come through the café.”
She also credits her student worker experience with giving her direction for the future.
“A lot of students write off campus jobs as unimportant or unlucrative, but they are great experience in real world positions,” she said. “Because of working different jobs, I’ve learned more about where I want to work and what sort of environment I value.”
For more information about student worker positions at Penn State Brandywine, visit Penn State’s job search website.