At Central Oregon Community College, campus job positions aren’t just a way to earn money they’re one of the easiest ways to connect with campus life. Whether you’re at the campus bookstore helping someone check out or greeting someone at the dining hall and swiping their meal card, these jobs give you real experience, flexible hours, and a built‑in sense of community. For a lot of students, work‑study ends up being the thing that makes campus feel bigger, friendlier, and a lot more fun.
To show what campus jobs really look like, three employed students shared their experiences: a student store cashier keeping the bookstore stocked and running, a dining hall worker welcoming everyone with a smile, and a kiln assistant helping the ceramics studio move everything along.
Bookstore Cashier:
The COCC Bookstore is not just a place for school supplies, but a place for amenities and personal essentials. Ranging from art supplies to snacks, the bookstore is a multidimensional place for all of your needs. M Bryan knew of the bookstore before they started attending COCC because of their sibling, who previously attended. Bryan says that you just need the basic soft skills to work here: interpersonal communication skills, money management, and organization. “There’s a lot more freedom being here than any of the other jobs that I’ve had. I’m treated with a lot of respect,” Bryan said.
A advantage about being a student worker is the work-life balance that COCC prioritizes. According to their website, with generous time-off policies and remote work options available for specific roles, they aim to provide flexibility that accommodates your personal and professional life.
Sudexo food worker: Like any other dining hall, the Campus Dining Hall is a staple at COCC. Most of the students at Wickiup Hall go there at least once a day for a warm meal. Lumi Moore found this job at the campus dining hall because of its proximity to Wickiup Hall. “Since it was on campus and I wouldn’t have to commute anywhere, it seemed like a good opportunity,” said Moore. Who now works two days a week, a schedule that “leaves me time to study while also getting hours.” The perks help too, saying, “working in a kitchen, I get free meals.” From stocking utensils to prepping desserts to swiping students through dinner, Lumi’s routine is steady and practical enough to fit into their full schedule.
Kiln assistant: Hidden inside the ceramics studio at Pence Hall, the kiln assistant job has a totally
different kind of work-and-study rhythm. Claire Cole landed the position after mentioning she wanted a campus job; her ceramics instructor, Alex Gnefkow, immediately said, “We’d love to have you in the studio,” and the rest fell into place. Most days involve a mix of tasks like pugging clay, loading or unloading kilns, swapping out mop water, or doing light cleaning, depending on where students are in the term. Claire loves the atmosphere: “It’s just me and Alex, so it’s really laid‑back. I can listen to music or a podcast while I work.” The messier parts, like scooping literal buckets of mud, were unexpected, but the flexibility makes up for it. Since there is no strict schedule and plenty of room to learn new skills, from programming kilns to mixing glazes, Claire said, the job is “low stress, low pressure.”
If you’re looking for a campus job, these three show just how many different ways campus jobs can fit into your life. Maybe you want something social like the bookstore, something steady and structured like the dining hall, or something quiet and hands‑on like the ceramics studio. No matter your style, COCC has options that let you earn money, build real experience, and stay close to campus. These are just three of the many campus job positions available across campus.
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