SPEAKER_03 0:02

Welcome to Pirates Perspectives, the official podcast of North Central Missouri College. Each month we'll share stories, insights, and conversations that highlight the people, traditions, and the future of the MCMC Pirate Community. So welcome back. April is a special time on campus because we celebrate National Student Employee Appreciation Week. And today I have three incredible student workers with me who help keep things running behind the scenes here on campus. I'm excited to introduce Andrea Fairley, who works at the Alexander Hall front desk, Tori Dunn, student worker in the Fry Administrative Center, and Jed Donahue, a IT student worker. So thank you guys for being here.

SPEAKER_02 0:44

Thank you. Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_03 0:46

Okay, so let's just start with some introductions. I'm gonna have you each tell us a little bit about yourselves, where you're from, what your major is, and maybe what brought you to the CMC. So well, Andrea, we'll start with you.

SPEAKER_01 0:57

Okay, um, my name is Andrea Fairley. I'm from Newtown, Missouri, very, very small town. Um, moved to Trenton for A. Um, very simple, easy two years college. Um, I started out in the nursing program, wasn't really for me. Then just kind of like figuring out while also getting like my A transfer right now. Um, yeah, just basically a little bit about me.

SPEAKER_02 1:25

Okay, Tori, what about you? So I'm Tori Dunce, I'm from Jamesport, Missouri. And what really just brought me to NCMC was my two of my sisters actually went here and my mom, so it kind of just seemed like the right direction. Like they never pushed me to come here, but it was just kind of the right route, also with A, and so I get a dance here too, which I really love to do, and so it just kind of felt like home right off the bat.

SPEAKER_00 1:47

Awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:47

Jed?

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Um Jed Donahue. I'm from a small town called Ray, Missouri, and then I came here mostly just for A as well. And my sister just finished the uh three-year nursing program here last year, so got a little bit of a head start there, and I'm just kind of going for Gen Eds now, but I'm gonna look at a focus on music.

SPEAKER_03 2:07

Oh, okay, awesome. Well, obviously, we're glad you guys are all here. So, obviously, we're here to talk about being a student worker. So, my first question would be what made you want to work on campus? Like what led you to do that? Um, Jed, we'll start with you.

SPEAKER_00 2:22

What led me to start with the IT office was originally I did have a focus in computer engineering or science in general, and I just kind of wanted to get a little bit of a head start in the hardware kind of thing, and helped a little bit over Northwest over summer before came coming here, and it was a good way to get my foot in the door with computers.

SPEAKER_03 2:42

Okay, awesome.

SPEAKER_01 2:43

Andrea? Um, so I actually started being a student worker here the summer before my freshman year, so it would have been like June of 2024. Um, and I know people who work here and they were looking for student workers, and I was taking classes that summer, so they were just like basically asking me if I wanted a job here, and I thought it'd be a good way to get involved with the college, so and I've just been working here ever since.

SPEAKER_03 3:11

Don't worry.

SPEAKER_02 3:12

I actually learned about like being a student worker in Upper Bound that I took here before I even started college here. So I actually got to work um with Christy in the president's office um so like I think two years before I actually came to college, and so then when I officially enrolled in stuff, I kind of just reached back out and they were looking for a student worker, and so it was just a great fit.

SPEAKER_03 3:36

Worked out perfect. So as far as your roles here go, you all have a very different role. Um Andrea, I'll start with you. So you work at the Alexander Hall front desk, so you're often one of the first people that you know students or visitors who are coming in see. So, what does a typical shift look like for you?

SPEAKER_01 3:56

Um, so I usually will come in mornings, um, depending on like what time of the year it is, it could be pretty pretty slow around here sometimes, but like if it's pretty busy, I just answer phone calls, direct people to different offices, departments, just take people where they need to go basically.

SPEAKER_03 4:17

And over in Fry in the administration center, you're doing a lot of behind-the-scenes operations. So, what are your some of your responsibilities down there?

SPEAKER_02 4:25

So I help with like organizing with some of the events, um, whether that's like um figuring out where things should go, like before they set things up, so just kind of like putting them in boxes or like decorating tables and stuff. Um, but I also do like filing and like um file work, all of that. I shred paper sometimes, really just a lot of various tasks, whatever they need me to do. I'll be on it.

SPEAKER_03 4:50

So down in IT, I'm sure it's a lot different. You probably see a little bit of everything. What kind of things do you students and staff come down there for? Like, what are you usually doing on a normal day?

SPEAKER_00 5:01

It kind of depends. Like a lot of the time, if we're out and about on campus, we're going and going around helping various staff with different issues, either in the classroom or doing refreshes in different classrooms. A lot of the time, if students come in, they have issues with either the Wi-Fi or trying to get like into something on the uh campus website. But a lot of the time, I mean, I would just say most common phone calls are like phone or password resets.

SPEAKER_03 5:26

Password resets, yep. We hear that a lot. Um, so you know what were your first impressions? So obviously coming to college is already scary, but then you're gonna start a new job. So think back to your first days. What was going through your mind, and how do you think your confidence has grown since then? Whoever wants to start.

SPEAKER_02 5:46

I didn't start, yeah. So um coming in, I think I was just nervous, not even for the job necessarily, but just because you know, the start of college and you just gotta get back in the groove of things. So I think that's what mostly made me nervous. But the first day I was welcomed in, I just immediately felt back at home, and it was just great to get everybody like get to know everybody in the office again. But through the year my nerves definitely calmed down and I was just ready to take on any task, and it's been a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_01 6:15

Okay, I can go next. Um, so actually, I feel like I have definitely grown a lot over the past two years. My first few days, I definitely was shy, definitely introverted, but um, I was just like super nervous. College was a new thing for me. Um, I knew that I'd be very exposed, especially working here at Alexander, because like a lot of students, a lot of people, you get to know a lot of people here. Um, but as time went on, I definitely have become a lot more extroverted. I've got to know a lot of people in the office, um, just like a lot more closer with everybody now than I was.

SPEAKER_03 6:56

Absolutely, I can attest to that. She sets right outside my office. Um, Jed?

SPEAKER_00 7:02

I would say, I mean, first starting out, it was kind of just figuring out what exactly my role was, because it was kind of just trailing behind Kale wherever he went, and then half the time it just kind of felt like I was standing there while he was doing everything, and then as time went on, it kind of me doing half the jobs that we were at, and then like learning what he was doing to the point to where I could start doing like classroom refreshes on my own, and being able to learn how to do like surplus management for different things, and like clearing out the esports room after this past year, just a lot of things that at first take a while to get used to, or you just feel like you're gonna mess up doing something so small, and then you just get to do these much bigger things, and it's just like, oh well, I do this every day.

SPEAKER_03 7:48

Yeah, sounds like you all adjusted very well. So, do you guys feel like working on campus has changed how you approach classes or responsibilities?

SPEAKER_01 7:59

Um, I yeah, I definitely think so. Um like I said, I I've like am really involved with everybody, I've gotten to know everybody, and like it's like made me a lot more social. So, like I like going into class, like I'm more social towards like other students, like I see a lot of students coming in. Um, I mean I think like in the social aspect it's like helped me a lot. So you think we need to add?

SPEAKER_00 8:25

I kind of agree. It's getting going around campus and seeing different staff, whether it be faculty or like maintenance, just gets it's a nice way to get to know everybody and you have fun conversations while you're sitting there working on computers, and a lot of the time it's helped with just getting having people to talk to around campus, but at the same time it allows for this flow days where I'm just kind of sitting in the office, allows for me to easily manage my homework and stuff.

SPEAKER_02 8:50

Absolutely. I agree, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 8:54

Um, so obviously, I'm sure you all have some great memories and stories from your specific jobs. Um, Andrea, you for instance, you interact with a lot of people on a daily basis. These are a lot of phone calls. Is there a real memorable front desk moment that jumps to your mind?

SPEAKER_01 9:10

Um, I mean, I feel like every day there's always something new, honestly. Um, I mean my first day was like the most memorable because like now uh I'm the one who trains all of the new student workers who come in, but my first day I was just kind of like thrown into it, wasn't really hadn't not didn't have another student worker there basically training me. So I would say that was pretty pretty crazy for me to be honest. Like I was pretty scared and I just didn't know what to expect. Um, but like I said, every day is there's always something new.

SPEAKER_03 9:44

So Tori, um, since you're kind of more behind the scenes, is there something that students might not realize that goes on down in Fry or things that they don't realize keep things going?

SPEAKER_02 9:55

Yeah, I mean sometimes it's quiet, sometimes it's like it's just go go go, and I'm just kind of in all directions from just everybody in the office. But one time I actually worked with um grommets, like putting grommets on like flags, if you've ever done that before. I had never done that before, I didn't even know what that was. And I actually did that one day, well, kind of like a span of a couple days, because it definitely took me a while to get the hang of it, but that's something that I wouldn't have expected I would be doing in the office, but I was, and so on a life skill.

SPEAKER_03 10:26

Yeah. Uh Jed, what would you say is maybe most interesting or unexpected issue that you've helped them solve?

SPEAKER_00 10:34

I mean, most unexpected, I guess, or I guess interesting would be probably like replacing some projector bulbs. Oh, yeah, because they get up there. Yeah, they're very interesting to work with and very expensive to deal with as well, because I think they said one of those bulbs, the prisms in them are like worth $200 to $300 or something like that, maybe more. I don't think I want to touch one of those. Very, very expensive to work with, but interesting as well as just I did help a bit with getting to set up some of the IT clauses in the new student center this year.

SPEAKER_03 11:05

So awesome. Um, so you kind of touched on this, guys, but do you think that working on campus has helped you feel more connected to MCMC?

SPEAKER_02 11:14

I think definitely, yes. I feel more like ready to branch out more after my time here, and it's just really helped me like get to know everybody, kind of like what Jed and Andrea were saying, but it's just a great environment overall, and just to be involved with everybody on campus.

SPEAKER_03 11:34

Um so have you guys built relationships with staff or other students through your job that have made a difference for you here?

SPEAKER_01 11:43

Um, I think I definitely have um my boss Hannah Love It. She definitely she has definitely impacted me a lot. Um yeah, it's been really fun working with her. I think she's gonna be a little sad when I leave. I think you do. I think I think everybody, I've gotten a little close with like everybody in this office, like, and it just like also makes you feel very involved, like like whenever um marketing needs somebody to take a picture of or an example, like I have to be that one. So then I'm like being posted, and I'm just like very involved with the campus, and it's just yep, basically.

SPEAKER_00 12:20

I would kind of also agree, like I said earlier, it gives a really good way to just kind of meet everybody on campus and it makes for a simple conversation when like the maintenance guys are coming through the dorms, or you talk to one of them while they're sitting in the cafe and cross, and it's just a nice way to have simple acquaintances or just conversations when you need them, but you also kind of I guess kind of learn more about campus in general, but important relationships. I mean, I just I've really enjoyed my time with Kale and Chris as well, just because last year I had him as my esports coach, and it's just something that we interacted inside work and then we interacted outside of work, and it's just something you see him every once in a while, and you're just like, Oh hey, what's up?

SPEAKER_02 13:06

Yeah, I feel like working under Christy and even like Alicia and Trisha in that office. I've just really like grown connected with them on so many levels, they're always encouraging me and just asking me about my day, and so it's just nice to kind of have that little bond before I start working there for the day. It's always like right when I come in, asking me about all that stuff, and so it's just a nice little little bond.

SPEAKER_03 13:29

That's great to hear. So here's maybe something a little fun. Um, what is something that other students might be surprised to learn about your specific job? Other than promise.

SPEAKER_01 13:44

Yeah, I feel like my job is pretty upfront with what we do. Um I mean, for what I've been surprised about, I mean, I feel like I've been like surprised of how close I've gotten with everybody. It's kind of like I see everybody every day, so it's kind of bound to happen, but um, I didn't realize how close I'd be getting with everybody in the office. But job-wise, I feel like it's pretty upfront with what I do.

SPEAKER_00 14:11

I would say it's I IT is pretty kind of upfront. If you go in there, then you kind of get the gist of what's going on. Like I've decommissioned laptops and PCs and stuff, so I've learned a little bit of that, hardware things. But I would say if anything would surprise someone, it'd probably be the amount of more like individual work you do. Because once you get into the actual role, I may be I'm only Kale's second uh student worker ever, but you kind of just do a lot more on your own than you would probably think for most student worker jobs.

SPEAKER_02 14:44

Yeah. I feel like for me it'd just be like the variety of things that I could do. Like no day, I feel like is ever the same, and it's just kind of like just being ready for really anything drawn your way.

SPEAKER_03 14:57

So do you feel like you have good support as students? Because obviously, here at MCMC, your first priority is to be a student, and then store so you feel like your jobs allow you to still be able to focus on being a student?

SPEAKER_01 15:12

Oh, for sure, definitely mine. Um, like I said, some days are super super busy around here, um, but then most days like could be super slow. Um my job just like allows me to do my homework, allows me to study, especially when it's quiet around here, so it allows me to be a student as well.

SPEAKER_02 15:32

Yeah, I feel like for me, like it's just how would I wear that? Like, I mean, like Andrea said, she doesn't know like sometimes, yeah, it just depends on the day, but I feel like um since my hours are so flexible, like if there's a time that I can't come in, like I just shoot an email, like they're gonna be fine with it. Um, because they want my school to come first and they want um me to succeed, and so just having that support too is really nice. Excellent.

SPEAKER_00 16:03

I'd say I feel the same kind of way. It's some days you're busy the whole time you're there, either going around campus helping with different things, or there have been times where I've been doing surplus or doing management in the workroom for like the entire day that I'm there, and then other days it's just like I'm sitting there for two or three days at a time just working on homework for the whole time.

SPEAKER_03 16:22

Yeah. So, what would you guys say to a student who's thinking about a job on campus but isn't sure where to start?

SPEAKER_01 16:32

Um, I would I would like to tell them about my time here as a student worker. I would highly encourage it. I think um being a student worker gets you really involved on campus. Like I'd say if I wasn't working on campus, I probably wouldn't be as involved, wouldn't know as many people. Um it just kind of gets you like a foot in the door with everything. Um and I just I I would highly recommend it.

SPEAKER_00 16:56

I would say kind of the same thing, yeah. You just gotta if you find something that you're interested or something that like you think you would enjoy on campus, then you should go for it because it's definitely something that helps you and it's nice to get a little bit of a paycheck on the side while working if you have the extra time.

SPEAKER_02 17:13

Yeah, I say like just don't be afraid to reach out. Like it it's kind of scary sometimes. I think we've all kind of like been there, we were nervous for our first day, but it's just so rewarding. It feels rewarding in the end to to be on campus, connect with everybody, and to learn new skills.

SPEAKER_03 17:28

And I think students are surprised. We actually have so many positions here on campus. Um you know, you guys have what we've talked about today: admissions hires people, financial aid, the tutoring center, catch them. I mean, they're all over. I think we have like what it's like almost 65 student workers. The library hires student workers, they they are they're a lot out there, and at the beginning of the semester is always a really good time to start that. But they're yeah, but you guys are right, reaching out directly is always a great idea. There is a common application students can fill out, but absolutely, if you have an area you are interested in, check it out. So, any advice for making the most of a position once you have one?

SPEAKER_01 18:12

Um, I mean, once you like start like once I started working here, it took me a while to get out of my shell. I was very shy. But um, once I got out of that, I feel like I was always looking forward to coming to work, like seeing all the people, and like just enjoying my time because now that like it's coming to an end, it's like wow, where did all the time go? Like, um, but I think like just like put yourself out there, get the job, make friends with the co-workers, like don't be scared. Yeah, don't be scared, don't be scared.

SPEAKER_00 18:46

I would definitely agree with that because you have that, you have the fact that like if there's something that maybe aligns with some of your interests and future careers that is available here on campus, like my uh roommate he works with the media team here, and he's like very interested in the sports management, whether it be working with the team directly or just doing video photography, he's been able to kind of get his foot in the door with that, starting somewhat from high school, but also being able to be a big part of it here.

SPEAKER_03 19:17

Okay. Awesome. So, as we get ready to celebrate our National Student Employee Appreciation Week, which you guys are gonna get spoiled with all kinds of things, I promise. Um, what does being a student worker mean to you personally? What does it meant to you personally?

SPEAKER_00 19:35

I mean, it feels like it's just kind of it allows a little bit of an in-between between students and the faculty here because it makes you feel number one, it makes you feel more connected, but number two, it also makes, I feel in a sense, other students feel slightly more connected if they know someone that works in the area that they're going to or that they're trying to get help from.

SPEAKER_02 19:55

Yeah, that's really well said. I feel like it's a lot of that connection that you get with um being a student worker. I mean, I guess it's depending on where you are on campus, but I feel like for us it's been building that connection, and that's kind of just what makes us happy to come back every day and happy to just help everybody.

SPEAKER_01 20:14

Yeah, I definitely agree. I think um working on campus and like knowing everybody now that I'm like graduating, um I'm like telling my friends, like, oh, you should work here, introducing people to like, oh, this is a good job. Like just like I feel like people knowing that I work here, knowing that I I like working here, it makes them more intrigued to work here, kind of thing.

SPEAKER_03 20:40

So word of mouth is a big one. Yeah, so yeah, absolutely. Listen to your friends. Um so before we get ready to wrap up, can you guys tell me one thing that you might like to say to your supervisor or the department that you work for?

SPEAKER_00 20:56

I can start off. Saying to Kale, I'd say just it's been good working with him, and I've really enjoyed the opportunity he's given me, and hopefully some opportunities that I might be able to open up later in life if I need to. But it's just been a really nice experience, and for being the second one, I hope he has some good ones in the future as well.

SPEAKER_02 21:17

I would say, like, to Christy Harris, to Alicia and Trisha, to even Dr. Claver, who I see some of the time in there, just thank you for supporting me, and thank you for just being there always and just helping guide me into the next direction, not even just at work, but just in the next steps of my life. So thank you.

SPEAKER_01 21:39

Um, to Hannah and Dr. Ali and just everybody in the office, I would just say thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to work here. Thank you for being patient because it did take me a while to get into my customer service uh voice and just like attitude. It was just like a different change for me, I guess. Um Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for being there for me. I mean, I've ranted to Hannah like when I'm on rock days. I'm like, oh Hannah, like I'm just like, I'm going through this, I gotta tell you about it. And she'll just listen. Um, I really think that like I'm definitely gonna keep in touch with everybody at once I leave. Like, it's just like definitely impacted me, and I'm super excited. It is it's it's nice to see our student workers come back and see us. Yes, yes. It's it's funny. She's trying to convince me to get supper classes.

SPEAKER_03 22:31

I I heard her do that. And it's funny because uh Hannah herself had the same position that you have when and I was her boss. So um it's fun to see our student workers play. Like outdoor generation.

SPEAKER_01 22:42

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:42

It's fun to see all of our student workers play.

SPEAKER_01 22:44

I hope I I hope I left an impact and she never finds a great student work on.

SPEAKER_03 22:49

I would remember that. So, Andrea, Tory Judd, I'm really thankful you guys came in here today to talk about this, sharing your experiences and everything you do to support our campus, you guys do a great job. Um, I would say that our student employees truly make a difference to the MCMT. We're really grateful for each one of you. Um, and to those listening, if you've ever thought about getting more involved on campus for students out there, this is your sign. Explore student employment opportunities, get on the website if you're new coming in, if you're a returning student, you're looking for student employment, get on the website, reach out to departments, find out what there is. We would be glad to have you. It's just a great way. So, again, thank you guys. Any parting words? Thank you. Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_01 23:35

Be a student worker. Yes, be a student worker.

SPEAKER_03 23:38

Alright. Well, thank you again, and thanks for listening to Pirate Perspective. Thank you for joining us for this episode of Pirates' Perspectives. We'll be back each month with more stories and conversations from around the pirate community. So be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your fellow pirates, both past and present. That's it for this voyage. Join us next month for more Pirates' Perspectives.