Nick Reyes walked into George Mason University’s Dewberry Hall, looking for a part-time job. He found a chess match instead.
“I just had to sit down and play,” the sophomore electrical engineering major said.
While he did, his opponent, Ali Thompson, a chess instructor at Silver Knights Enrichment, explained to Reyes the job opportunities at the Fairfax, Va., company, which coaches Northern Virginia elementary and middle school students in chess, coding and engineering.
Reyes was one of 800 job-seeking students at George Mason’s third annual Part-Time Jobs Fair on Aug. 31, run by University Career Services, a part of University Life. A record 60 employers (40 from outside of campus, 20 on-campus) were available to chat and offer applications.
“Given the number of students we have who are receiving financial aid, who are working their way through school, that’s why this event is so important,” said Saskia Clay-Rooks, interim director of University Career Services. “That’s why it’s grown so much over the years.”
Some students, such as Vanessa Elongo, a sophomore majoring in international studies, and Nairong Ye, a senior economics major, weren’t particular about jobs they might find. Others, though, were more specific.
Alexander Patchin, a junior majoring in information systems and operations management, wanted an IT job. Mazin Rasmi, a sophomore computer science major, wanted “a technical kind of job.”
“It helps pay for my tuition, but it’s also helping my major,” said Rasmi, whose first stop was the Apple table. “I’ll have some good experience getting out of college.”
Employers said they benefit as well.
Kate Hrinishin, floor manager of Apple’s store in Tysons Corner, Va., said the store has hired two Mason students.
“Both have been our best employees,” said Hrinishin, a Mason grad herself (BA Integrative Studies ’15). “They’re not just set in their ways. They have aspirations. So when we do find Mason students trying to work for Apple, it’s a refreshing part of our team.”
For Reyes, that chess match was refreshing. He loves the game, he said, because it tests one’s intellect and problem-solving ability.
But does he want to teach it?
“I had that [opportunity] in elementary school,” he said, “so, yeah, I’d like to do it.”