Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995 TAG: 9508230110
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS PAGE: WS-58 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On her own, Miller, 23, graduated from Tech in May with degrees in poultry science and agricultural economics and her share of student loans to repay.
"It was a constant worry about where the money was going to come from," she said.
The amount she owes would be greater if Miller hadn't been able to find jobs that fit into her class schedule. As a freshman, she refereed intramural volleyball games and did filing for the graduate school's dean. Those jobs didn't pay much, but they helped with living expenses.
Away from school, Miller raised registered polled Hereford beef cattle. A registered cow can be compared to a dog with a pedigree - it's worth more at market. She says she makes approximately $2,000 to $3,000 a year from the sale of cattle.
Miller worked for a while as a newspaper distribution manager for Collegiate Times, a thankless job that put her in contact with rude students who refused to open doors. The winter's snow and ice presented additional problems for Miller and her crew, who had to deliver the paper whatever the weather.
Miller also worked for several poultry science professors while in college, gaining valuable experience in her field. For one job, she got paid to make sure quail of the opposite sex "got to know each other."
Jeff Coles is sitting in Squires filling out a job application. A fifth-year senior and biology and exercise science major, Coles has filled out quite a few. This summer, he worked at Hecht's in Roanoke; during the past four years, he worked for Wal-Mart, where he still puts in hours over holiday breaks. When Coles transferred from Lynchburg Community College to Virginia Tech, he was working 32 hours a week for the first three years.
Ingrid Lay is a familiar face to anyone who frequents the library or Williams Hall. An English major, Lay, has worked 40 hours a week at the library for the past three years.
Marcy Vaughan of Blacksburg got engaged during spring of her senior year in high school. So when she started her freshman year at Virginia Tech, she knew she had to get a job to save money. Vaughan, now a junior, got a job as an information desk attendant at Squires Student Center.
"If there was some way to go to school without working, I would, because I think you miss out on a lot of stuff," said Todd Sullivan, manager at Burger King on campus. Sullivan, a fifth-year mechanical engineering student, started working at Burger King three years ago. He logs about 25 hours a week during the school year.
Robbie Willard transferred to Tech from Virginia Western Community College during second summer session. Before he started classes at Tech, he worked at Kroger during the week. Now he works only on weekends and holidays. "School work takes up all the time," he said. "Working during the week is just impossible."
He uses the money for books and miscellaneous items. Somehow, he says, he has managed to save during the years.
Adrianne Bee and Hal Sheikerz contributed to this story.
by CNB