Abigail Tatnall ’20 is a first-year at Brandeis with an interest in majoring in psychology and linguistics. Being a college first-year comes with an already jam-packed schedule filled with classes, clubs, sports and friends. A work-study job is the cherry on top of a mountain of stress for many of those participating in the program.

Tatnall began her search for jobs to work during her first year, but her experience in the work-study program so far has been nothing but arduous and unreciprocated effort. “Over the summer, I sent out a couple of resumes and never heard anything back,” Tatnall lamented.

Since August, Tatnall has sent out a slew of resumes and still has not received any good or bad news—just radio silence. “I haven’t heard anything back, and since then have submitted eight additional resumes through the Hiatt Career Center and still have not received responses,” she said.

A work-study job sounds like an ideal financial solution for students during their first year, but one must not forget that many jobs are not available to first-years with little job experience. Most work-study jobs go to the upperclassmen, which can create a competitive atmosphere. “There are so many jobs with experience needed that one can’t have as a [first-year],” said Tatnall.

At this point in the semester, Tatnall plans to continue sending out more resumes each week to jobs that open up. If she does not hear back from anyone by the time jobs are available to other students in October, Tatnall will devise a more intense approach to obtaining one. “I am mainly looking for anything that pays,” she stressed.