Jobs and Sorority Life - Is it possible?

[Aerylle]

Once again, I am posting a thread in this part of the website, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't belong here. If anything, it would probably belong in the Greek Life section, but.. I'm not greek yet so I would feel awkward posting it there.

Anyway, I am in the process of locating a better job (the one I have isn't giving enough hours. ]: ) and it got me thinking, how does work and sorority life cohabitate?

I've heard from many people (including people at my school) that the first semester of sorority life is the most time consuming. It's hectic and stressful and there are new member meetings and serenades and outings and all that jazz. But what if you have a part time job?

Will that harm your chances of
a. getting a bid?
b. making it to initiation?

I'm just curious. If I stick around on Greek Chat long enough, you all will realize that I'm pretty much a kitten: too curious for my own good.

[kddani]

I would estimate that 80% of my house had a job.

[MUSK81]

Heck yeah, it's possible! Just about every girl in my house who had transportation had a job. When I first pledged, I was working at Wendy's, then got a job at Kroger about three weeks later. It was perfect - 15 -16 hours per week, never past midnight and the head cashier liked me, so he scheduled me around my sorority activities . I left there to do my required internship summer between junior and senior year, then worked at JCPenney until I graduated. I was also a journalism major, which is very time-consuming. But my sisters were very understanding; work was considered a legitimate excuse to miss an activity, although you were expected to be at chapter meetings if at all possible.

ETA: Hang in there, Aeryelle! I wish we'd had GC (heck, the Internet!) when I was in college. Life is so much easier now in some ways ...

[RaggedyAnn]

I had two jobs through most of my sorority career, held offices, got good grades, went to almost every event and had a social life. If you work at it, you will learn great time management skills. My biggest pieces of advice is to limit your time on social networking sites, limit TV watching and get a great planner.

[perfectinpurple]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

I had two jobs through most of my sorority career, held offices, got good grades, went to almost every event and had a social life. If you work at it, you will learn great time management skills. My biggest pieces of advice is to limit your time on social networking sites, limit TV watching and get a great planner.

Totally agreed! I had a job last year and time management is so crucial. Between chapter meetings, socials, classes, homework, extra curriculars, and work there is little time for messing around.

Also:
a) no it shouldn't harm your chances of getting a bid (it might even give you conversation topics during rush!)
b) you should know when initiation is far enough in advance to make any changes you need to a work schedule

[Aerylle]

Originally Posted by perfectinpurple

Totally agreed! I had a job last year and time management is so crucial. Between chapter meetings, socials, classes, homework, extra curriculars, and work there is little time for messing around.

Also:
a) no it shouldn't harm your chances of getting a bid (it might even give you conversation topics during rush!)
b) you should know when initiation is far enough in advance to make any changes you need to a work schedule

A. I thought that it would be a great conversation starter as well, I was also just concerned that they might be hesitant to extend a bid to me since I might have to miss some events.
B. Oh, good. :] Nothing worse than having to call out of work so late in the game. ]:

Originally Posted by nittanygirl

check out working on campus. i know for me that is easier than working off (like I did freshman year) because you might be able to get set hours every week & if not I feel like they are more flexible.

The only problem with working on campus is at my school at least, the hours they give are so minimal. Like, under 10 a week. Living on my own (well, away from the 'rents at least) in an apartment requires more than ten hours a week. ]:

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

You'll be fine, a LOT of Greeks work to pay their dues and other expenses.

Thank you very much for your kind words of advice. I will remember this when the time comes. :]

[rococobaby]

Originally Posted by Aerylle

The only problem with working on campus is at my school at least, the hours they give are so minimal. Like, under 10 a week. Living on my own (well, away from the 'rents at least) in an apartment requires more than ten hours a week. ]:

I know this isn't directly answering your question, but I feel like this would be good to know (if you don't already, not to be patronizing or something)

You know, if an off campus apartment is too burdensome, you could try living in college housing. I know dorms might not seem like the best option (to some people anyways), but they do provide a good option if you can't work as many hours as you need to to pay your rent. The cost of the dorm goes on a student loan (most colleges have a cost of attendance that includes a required housing budget), so might as well take advantage of that so you can fully enjoy campus life. That's just my advice. Also, some campuses have university owned apartments that are also covered by financial aid and loans (that's where I'm living right now!).

[RaggedyAnn]

Originally Posted by rococobaby

I know this isn't directly answering your question, but I feel like this would be good to know (if you don't already, not to be patronizing or something)

You know, if an off campus apartment is too burdensome, you could try living in college housing. I know dorms might not seem like the best option (to some people anyways), but they do provide a good option if you can't work as many hours as you need to to pay your rent. The cost of the dorm goes on a student loan (most colleges have a cost of attendance that includes a required housing budget), so might as well take advantage of that so you can fully enjoy campus life. That's just my advice. Also, some campuses have university owned apartments that are also covered by financial aid and loans (that's where I'm living right now!).

It's probably too late for this anyway, but living in a dorm also only gives you 1 room to clean, unless you're lucky enough to have your own bathroom or a suite, which saves time cleaning; you end up eating in the caf, which saves times on cooking and washing dishes; and you're on campus, which saves time commuting. As an added bonus, it makes it easy to meet people on campus right away.

[Aerylle]

Originally Posted by rococobaby

I know this isn't directly answering your question, but I feel like this would be good to know (if you don't already, not to be patronizing or something)

You know, if an off campus apartment is too burdensome, you could try living in college housing. I know dorms might not seem like the best option (to some people anyways), but they do provide a good option if you can't work as many hours as you need to to pay your rent. The cost of the dorm goes on a student loan (most colleges have a cost of attendance that includes a required housing budget), so might as well take advantage of that so you can fully enjoy campus life. That's just my advice. Also, some campuses have university owned apartments that are also covered by financial aid and loans (that's where I'm living right now!).

Dorms/College apartments are actually more expensive than what I'm in right now. I mean, I don't have to cover the entire rent by myself here, like I would in college housing. Trust me, I looked into it. :]

[Aerylle]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

I had two jobs through most of my sorority career, held offices, got good grades, went to almost every event and had a social life. If you work at it, you will learn great time management skills. My biggest pieces of advice is to limit your time on social networking sites, limit TV watching and get a great planner.

I recently got a tablet laptop so I'm using that as my planner. :]

Thanks for the advice. I'm already starting to limit my internet usage (Lol @ how I have youtube open in one tab, and I'm typing this in another).

Originally Posted by MUSK81

Heck yeah, it's possible! Just about every girl in my house who had transportation had a job. When I first pledged, I was working at Wendy's, then got a job at Kroger about three weeks later. It was perfect - 15 -16 hours per week, never past midnight and the head cashier liked me, so he scheduled me around my sorority activities . I left there to do my required internship summer between junior and senior year, then worked at JCPenney until I graduated. I was also a journalism major, which is very time-consuming. But my sisters were very understanding; work was considered a legitimate excuse to miss an activity, although you were expected to be at chapter meetings if at all possible.

ETA: Hang in there, Aeryelle! I wish we'd had GC (heck, the Internet!) when I was in college. Life is so much easier now in some ways ...

Thanks! I'll try! Ha ha. How often are chapter meetings? I mean, it probably varies by chapter but.. on average?

Originally Posted by MaggieXi

It's totally doable, but learning to manage your time will be important to balance everything.

Yeah, that's what I need to work on. I never had to do that in high school so it was never an issue (not that I was bad at it, I was actually very good. Did my homework as soon as I got home and was finished before dinner. Then it was "play" time then off to bed.) but now with college and an amazing first job opportunity coming up, I'd really hate to let one ruin the other.

Originally Posted by pretty-in-pink

Aerylle, seriously? I was about to make this exact same thread! haha twin

Lol! That's so funny! Looks like great minds think alike, eh?

[FleurGirl]

I have a job and pay my own dues, as do many of my sisters. TOTALLY POSSIBLE!

[MaggieXi]

Most of my friends in college had jobs and were greek. These jobs ranged from being tour guides on campus and working in the bookstore to being part time office help at doctors' office and waiting tables. Many girls in my chapter tutored at the local elementary school too. It's totally doable, but learning to manage your time will be important to balance everything.

[GatorGirl27]

Like others have said, it's totally possible. You do have to be realistic and realize that your job will probably cause you to miss a few events here and there. As long as you have decent time management skills, it really shouldn't be problem

[pretty-in-pink]

Aerylle, seriously? I was about to make this exact same thread! haha twin but thank you so much for the advice GC! At my school's Greek Q&A, they said that they "highly discourage pursuing employment during the new member period." It's so good to hear that women have held jobs and stayed involved in their chapter

[nittanygirl]

a lot girls in sororities have jobs. most of my friends.
check out working on campus. i know for me that is easier than working off (like I did freshman year) because you might be able to get set hours every week & if not I feel like they are more flexible.

You should have plenty of time to request off of work for initiation