Pledging and Jobs
 

I intend to rush in the fall and making the assumption that I will receive a bid (only five of the 120 girls who rushed at my campus did not receive bids) I wondered how pledging would influence my work schedule.

I currently work at our local YMCA and for the fall semester I was planning on working Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. If I let the chapter know ahead of time that I already have a commitment at that time, will they hold it against me or are most sororities accomodating of new member's and sister's work schedules?

Thanks for your help!

For my chapter, working is not usually a big deal. I used to work for the parks and recs and that was actually the easiest job out of all the jobs I had. Also, you will get a calender that will say when all or at least of your events will take place that will help you out. Also remember that your new member semester is the busiest. good luck!!

In my chapter, about half of the girls or more worked, and it wasn't really a problem. I would think most chapters would be OK with it, especially since it's a set time only once a week. Just make sure that you're not scheduled to work on the nights of chapter meetings and new member meetings, since those are the most important.

Hi! I'll be rushing in the fall as well...
My parents expect me to get a job asap. So, would it be wise to wait until after rush to look for a job?

It seemed like at one point about half my house worked for the Y. They are great (here) at working with your schedule. Perfect job for students. You should be okay.

Yes! At some schools all sororities have their meetings on a certain night. That way when you apply you can say "I'm not available Tuesday" or whenever. It is easier to work your job around your sorority schedule than vice versa.

Sororities will generally hand out a calendar of the semester's events and it should mention if the event is mandatory or not.

I know in our house, all events must be announced within two weeks of the event in order for it to be mandatory. If it's not, you can schedule your work schedule around everything else.

I don't know where everyone is from, but a lot of the ladies here have state jobs and their schedules are pretty flexible. Retail jobs are also pretty easy going, depending on what store.

most jobs are understanding about school & extracurricular activities.

Last summer I was looking for a job, and at the same time had 2 weeks in August (Spirit Week, and Recruitment Week) that I could not work AT ALL because we'd be so busy w/ sorority stuff.

If you plan on getting a job before recruitment begins, be honest with them and let them know before you get hired. Like my manager, I think most managers will like that you are being honest with them up front instead of just telling them what they want to hear just to get hired.

I just asked the manager in the interview how flexible the schedules could be because of school and extra curric. activities....and he didn't mind at all that there were 2 weeks that I would be unavailable.

working and being a new member (even a sister) can be done... it just takes some time management skills :)

best wishes to you both in your job & greek home searches :)

Thanks for the advice!

A couple of the sororities have call outs during pledging so I don't know if they would have a set schedule of new member events. Is anyone familiar with that type of pledge schedule? And out of curiousity, is that a form of hazing?

Can you explain what a call out is? I'm not really sure.

If you're referring to them calling you over to the house at random times, yes, that is considered hazing if it's mandatory. If they just call you to say come hang out and it doesn't matter if you do or not, that's fine.

Thanks for the help.

It's pretty common knowledge that some of the sororities do call outs, which is why it's weird that no one's said anything. I heard that they tell you to be in your room between certain hours so they can call you for a meeting. One girl was at her dance dress rehearsal and ran from there so she would be in her room in time. It's kind of sad.

Yeah... that's not right. If anything like that happens during a new member period, that should be a red flag.

Definitely hazing, and it shouldn't happen. If someone called me and said I had to be at the house while I was at work, I'd tell them to stick it. No offense, but you obviously wanted this job, and sorority can come second to it if need be. You schedule around important events....call outs = NOT important.

If these sororities are members of the National Panhellenic Conference, that's in violation of the several NPC rules. If you have more questions about how to deal with this, please let us help you. Nobody likes to see another chapter hazing, it makes us all look bad.