Anna CoffeyInterview questions for Northfield Reads & Counts and
the Off-Campus Work Study Program Participants

Name: Jessica Retka ’10
Hometown: Le Sueur, MN

I work for the YMCA in Child Watch, where I watch the children.  I play games, do crafts, read books with the kids.  In addition, I work at the Northfield Middle School Youth Center, where I am a site assistant.  There, I not only play games (everything from board games to air hockey) and do crafts, but also help with homework and other activities, like cooking. I chose to do community-based work-study because I wanted something a little different from the typical on-campus cafeteria job, and working with middle school kids sounded interesting. I work approximately 8 to 12 hours each week.

While my work at the YMCA is fulfilling, it is not without challenges. The challenges I face in my off-campus work include transportation (last year I had to take the bus and this year I have had a difficult time adjusting to parking regulations!) and the general challenges associated with working with kids, such as getting them interested in homework, keeping them engaged in activities and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere! Conversely, many benefits accompany the job as well. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work in an exciting, energy-filled environment where surprises are the norm. It is great to get to work with kids of all ages and be involved in all the activities that they are doing.  At the MSYC, where the focus is often on homework, I feel a great sense of satisfaction at being able to help a student solve a math problem or learn how to spell a certain word.  It is also fantastic to learn what kinds of things the kids are interested in and to be able to talk with them about Global Warming or construction and development in Dubai. 

I have an excellent working relationship with my supervisor, Jen, at the MSYC.  She is very involved in the program.  I see her every day that I work, and we get along well because she is very understanding and flexible.  She's also been a wonderful resource for one of my sociology classes.  Virginia, at the YCMA is a little more separated from my position, but has been very direct about what she wants from her workers and helpful in getting me settled in at my new job.

I have gained several transferable skills from this experience, including the ability to manage time well (in balancing work and school) and the ability to work with all types and ages of kids.  The experience I am gaining in these jobs is very relevant to my interest in sociology and anthropology, in that I am engaging in community efforts for social change. 

It’s not difficult to participate in community-based work study! Diana Dargen in the CEL has been great at arranging everything and dealing with any challenges that come up. Other St. Olaf (and Carleton) students at the job sites have been fun to work with and are great resources with things ranging from rides to moral support.

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