Working and being in Greek Life?

[sceniczip]

I was just curious how many people work/worked while being in their GLO? We had a CDC come who was shocked that we had girls who had to work to pay their dues and tuition. She didn't understand why girls had to work, so I was just curious what your chapter was like? Did most people have jobs or not?

I pledged my freshman year and did not have a job and I think I was the only one in my pledge class that didn't have a job. Pretty much almost every girl in my chapter at least works in the summer, if not all year.

[Lil' Hannah]

I didn't have to work to pay my dues or tuition, but did have to work for spending money throughout my entire time in college. I had a clerical job on campus freshman year, worked at an off campus pizza and wing place sophomore year, and worked retail my junior and senior years. I think I usually worked between 15-20 hours per week.

I would say maybe 1/4 of my sisters worked, most of them on campus.

[AOEforme]

I have to work to pay dues, rent, bills, and other expenses. My parents are helping me out with tuition and subsidizing some of my other bills (Thank goodness!). I'd say about 1/4 of my sisters work.

[MaggieXi]

My parents agreed to pay only 1/2 of my yearly dues. So the money I made when I worked during the summers and breaks often went to the 1/2 I was responsible for.

I also worked a few hours a week in our campus bookstore my sophmore and junior year. My senior year I was a waitress at Ruby Tuesdays. The work was more for spending money and to pay utilities my junior and senior year and getting a discount on my books (this was before you could buy them used online!). My parents paid my rent my junior and senior years and part of my tuition, the rest were student loans, which almost 9 years later I am still paying off!

I think with the economy being what it is these days, many people have to have part time jobs in order to make ends meet while in college. I think if the member is willing to work just to pay dues, than that should be respected.

[AOII Angel]

I'm surprised that a national representative would have that opinion of greek members. I'd hope that after traveling to other chapters, she'd see that many women have to work during college! My parents did not want me to work while I was in school, but my dad lost his job during my first semester at school. I had a full paid scholarship, so the only thing I had to worry about was paying my dues. Every summer and winter break, I saved all of my money I made working in a doctor's office as a "chart girl." I had to be VERY careful with my money so that I'd have enough to last the whole semester.

[ISUKappa]

I worked from the end of my freshman year until I graduated to help cover some sorority costs and to have spending money. I had student loans to cover my tuition and my parents helped with room and board for the house.

Freshman year (including the summer):
- bartender/server for campus events
- waitress
- admin at a carpet store

Sophomore year:
- admin at a carpet store
- retail

Junior/Senior years (including summer):
- editorial assistant in a department on campus

The on campus job was by far the best job. My boss was awesome and flexible about what hours I could be at work depending on my schedule. It even qualified as my required internship for my major.

I would guess about half my chapter had some sort of job and those were split between some sort of waitressing/bartending/cocktail serving and on-campus jobs.

[sceniczip]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I'm surprised that a national representative would have that opinion of greek members. I'd hope that after traveling to other chapters, she'd see that many women have to work during college! My parents did not want me to work while I was in school, but my dad lost his job during my first semester at school. I had a full paid scholarship, so the only thing I had to worry about was paying my dues. Every summer and winter break, I saved all of my money I made working in a doctor's office as a "chart girl." I had to be VERY careful with my money so that I'd have enough to last the whole semester.

Yeah I was surprised too and I think she started to understand after spending the week with us and I'm sure after going to some of the other chapters she came to understand too.

I think it's interesting the variety of jobs and reasons why people had them.

[littleowl33]

I would say most of our sisters have jobs, and most pay at least part of their own dues if not all. Most girls work in on-campus offices but some are waitresses, bartenders, cashiers, etc. I work on campus 20 hours a week during the semester and 40 hours a week during breaks. It helps pay my rent and I've started paying my own dues, too. I feel bad asking my parents for money for non-academic stuff with the economy the way it is.

[libramunoz]

Technically I did have to work. I was in the work study program my freshman year and senior year. I was an RA in between. I never worked off campus though, many people I knew at school did. Many people at school either were RA's, work study students, or had off campus jobs. I, and a few other people, had their own "businessess" on campus to help in supplementing my RA "income" if you could call $50 a month an income. But that is something that is unusual. I'm surprised that someone would be very "shocked" to see something such as this at college.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by sceniczip

I was just curious how many people work/worked while being in their GLO? We had a CDC come who was shocked that we had girls who had to work to pay their dues and tuition.

Wow, I'm shocked ,that considering this economy, someone would have that reaction. I have 2 girls in college right now, and although they do not work, they have scholarships and fortunately pre-paid tuition. If they didn't have that, they would def be working. College costs a lot more than we (as parents) plan for and with the stock market tumbles....

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

Wow, I'm shocked ,that considering this economy, someone would have that reaction. I have 2 girls in college right now, and although they do not work, they have scholarships and fortunately pre-paid tuition. If they didn't have that, they would def be working. College costs a lot more than we (as parents) plan for and with the stock market tumbles....

This whole economy thing always trips me out.

Apparently it's bad, and that's what the elites always say, but I haven't felt a thing but cheaper gas.


Maybe it's cuz I'm in Arkansas...

"Someone told us wall-street fell, but we were so poor we couldn't tell. the cotton was short and the weeds were tall, but Mr. Roosevelt was gonna save us all."

[Benzgirl]

I was on scholarship, so tuition was paid. One year, I tutored Algebra and Calculus, but it didn't pay enough to make it worthwhile.

I worked summers to cover my other expenses: sorority, room/board, books, etc. My parents helped me, but it was no free ride. When I graduated, I had some student loans, but they were minimal.

My niece is in school now. Her tuition is covered by my parents, but she still has her apartment expenses, bookes, etc. She has always worked 15 -20 hours per week during school to cover expenses.

[chopper599]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I was on scholarship, so tuition was paid. One year, I tutored Algebra and Calculus, but it didn't pay enough to make it worthwhile.

I worked summers to cover my other expenses: sorority, room/board, books, etc. My parents helped me, but it was no free ride. When I graduated, I had some student loans, but they were minimal.

My niece is in school now. Her tuition is covered by my parents, but she still has her apartment expenses, bookes, etc. She has always worked 15 -20 hours per week during school to cover expenses.

As have been lurking I have to agree with Benzgirl 100%. Is it easy, no. Do you or any others want to join and be a part of a glo?
So, what are the benefits for you or others. Only you can answer that.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

This whole economy thing always trips me out.

Apparently it's bad, and that's what the elites always say, but I haven't felt a thing but cheaper gas."

From your answer, its obvious you don't have investments, or maybe you do,and haven't lost $$. I that's the case then, then please tell me where. I'll take suggestions from anyone now

[indygphib]

I worked about 15-20 hours a week in one of the campus bookstores. My mom and dad agreed to pay for the sorority housing part because it was comparable to the dorms, but they told me I had to pay for all social dues.

I really enjoyed working there. I worked in the clothing department part of the store, so I was able to interact with people of all ages - students, alums, local folks - you name it, they were there. I also got 30 percent off all non-textbook related items, and 10 percent off my textbooks. It saved me quite a bit of money in the long run - especially with the textbook savings.

Most importantly, though, working taught me how to manage my time effectively.