I applied to work a seemingly low-maintenance position with my university for our freshmen orientation programs. The portion of the program I would mainly be working is at the beginning of the school year, but we are also required to work here and there throughout the summer.
Before I was set to go to my first shift, I realized I hadn’t received any kind of communication for payroll setup. I emailed my supervisor and asked to confirm that we would be paid for those shifts throughout the summer. It’s a job. I was under the basic assumption we would be paid to work.
Turns out we won’t start getting paid to work until the main part of the program that’s at the beginning of the school year. I told them I couldn’t make accommodations to work and not be paid. I’m already working two other jobs as it is. I can’t sacrifice a paid shift at one of those jobs to go work for my university for free.
I’ve talked to other university students w/ different positions who are also unpaid for some of their shifts. Why do institutions think they can waste young peoples time? Because it’s good experience? Because it looks good on a resume? I’m not here for that. I’m here to get paid.