By VALERIE METREJEAN

Staff Writer

If there were a nickel for every time a college student at Tech said, "I just can not find a job in this town," there would no longer be a need for a job -- everyone would be rich.

With the number of students on campus and the restrictions the university puts on applying for jobs, many students say finding a part-time job is hard in Ruston with its population of 23,000.

"Sometimes you have to make jobs," Jonathan Hines, a senior construction engineering technology major, said. "After I lost my job É I looked around Ruston but it is nearly impossible to find a job here."

Hines said he was able to find a job mowing yards, which eventually included landscaping and installing sprinkler systems, but only after inquiring with several of his friends.

"Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and ask everyone you know for work and take any job the first time," Hines said. "That way you can be making money until you find the one you want."

Luckily, Hines said his job will help him gain experience in his major.

"I learn how to plan for projects, budgeting time and money, which is what I am learning now in my major," Hines said.

Finding a job related to a student's major may be easier than one thinks.

For any marketing students or those who enjoy sales, the advertising department for The Tech Talk is looking for advertising representatives.

"You can work your own hours but should be willing to work hard selling ads to local businesses," Joanna McIntyre, ad manager and a junior journalism major, said.

Mary Brown, adviser of the yearbook, said The Lagniappe is also looking for writers. If interested, applications are available in Keeny Hall, Room 138.

Brad Russell, a junior political science major, may not have a job associated with his future occupation, but he said he is glad to have actually found a job in Ruston.

"I got the job at TCBY because I transferred from the Monroe branch," Russell said. "It is really hard to get a job here, and we get so many applications a day because everyone needs a job."

Russell said his manager gives him and the other college-age employees good hours that work around school activities as much as possible.

Not everyone is as lucky as Russell, and because college students are not among the wealthiest people in America, this can become a big problem.

Check the bulletin boards around campus for job opportunities available at the university and around town.