Grant Provides Funding For College Student Workers

REDLANDS>> A $150,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is benefiting dozens of Crafton Hills College student employees, who say working on campus gives them experience while providing them with money for books, supplies and transportation. With $20,000 earmarked for scholarships, the remainder of the grant will be used to fund student employment on campus. Having gainful employment boosts self-esteem and allows students like Neil Saldana-O'Brien to focus on their studies, leading to higher success rates. Saldana-O'Brien, a graphic designer in the marketing and public relations department, said his job has helped him with everything from time management to enhancing his writing skills. "If it weren't for grants like the one from San Manuel, I would not have been able to work at CHC," he said. "I think it's really important that student workers be compensated for their work; unpaid internships are great but they take up precious time that students, especially employed ones, are already short on. I'm so thankful for the opportunity given to me to pursue my dream job and without grants for student work it wouldn't happen. The idea that other students could get a similar opportunity, no matter what career they're pursuing, really gives me hope." Saldana-O'Brien used to work off campus at a warehouse doing "really menial labor," he said. "I felt like a robot. I felt like my schooling wasn't paying off and the stuff I learned in school wasn't going to help me in the real world." He said everything changed when he took on a position at Crafton. "I've gotten to work with other students to achieve a goal, take photos of school events and spread information to students," he said. "Not only that, but I used a lot of information I learned in my classes at Crafton, such as writing, file management, geometry and a lot of art and desktop publishing. Now I have work experience in a career I'm excited about and I got paid for doing work I love while still going to school. Helping with school outreach also made me feel like I was a part of something I could be proud of, and I wanted to do well in my classes because of that feeling of inclusion." One added bonus of working on campus as a student is having a home base, with your job just steps from your classroom. Saldana-O'Brien said Crafton accommodates student workers by ensuring, "schedules never clashed, because CHC doesn't want you to miss school for work." The mission of Crafton Hills College is to advance the educational, career and personal success of its diverse campus through engagement and learning, and this grant, by providing both scholarships and money for student workers, is furthering that goal. "It's wonderful to know that students with on-campus jobs are able to focus on their studies without worrying about how they will be able to purchase books and supplies," Michelle Riggs, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development, said. "We commend our students for all of their hard work, and appreciate San Manuel's dedication to the community and education."