For many Luther students, finding a summer job can be quite a feat. But rather than scrounge around their hometowns, some students turn to Luther for their summer job options.

On-campus job opportunities are abundant if students know where to look. One past on-campus summer worker lent his advice.

“Find a good job,” said Joel Martin (‘09), a Decorah native. “There are a lot of good on-campus jobs.”

Martin has extensive experience working on campus during the summer.

“I [have] worked on campus since my sophomore year of high school,” said Martin. “It’s a lot slower-paced and casual during the summer.”

During his career at Luther, Martin has worked a variety of jobs.

“In high school I worked waiting tables in Peace Dining Room,” he said. “I worked in the caf after that, and it was much easier because there’s a lot of down time and it’s more casual. Now I work for grounds crew mowing lawns.”

Of all of his positions, working with the grounds crew is Martin’s favorite.

“It makes for the best summer if you can get a job outside,” he said.

Some students take on multiple jobs to fill their summer.

“I will be working in the music office and house-sitting,” said Molly Schumann (‘08). “I e-mailed the music department and said I needed to stay for the summer and I knew a lot of the faculty there needs house-sitters.”

Internships are also available on campus.

“I will be an intern with the publications office,” said Beth Nimmo (‘09). Nimmo’s internship will give her experience in the field of graphic design.

Last summer many students conducted research as their jobs.

“I was a research assistant for the physics department last summer,” said Josh Bruflodt (‘08). “I didn’t put in as much time as a full-time job, so it gave me a lot of down time.”

Michael Marquardt (‘08) also researched last summer.

“Last summer I did microbiology research,” said Marquardt. “I lived in the ‘Yellow House’ for the summer.”

While Marquardt lived off campus, there are on-campus housing options.

“I’m living in Miller for three of the weeks for the summer, Brandt for Dorian [music camp] and then I’m house-sitting until I move to Iowa State,” said Schumann.

Nimmo is trying to avoid Towers this summer.

“I’m still looking for somewhere to live,” said Nimmo. “I don’t want to live in Miller with a roommate. I’d rather live on my own for the summer.”

Martin opted for a room on campus.

“I had a room in Miller even though I lived at home,” said Martin. “It was somewhere to store all my stuff.”

During the summer in Decorah, students also keep busy outside of work.

“All I did over the summer was study for the MCAT,” said Marquardt.

More popular activities also exist.

“I would go outside and go tubing right after work on hot days,” said Martin. “It’s relaxing and a good time. A lot of the time we’d get a game of ultimate Frisbee going later or play volleyball up by Towers.”

Indoor activities are also common.

“I hang out with friends and play videogames and watch TV,” said Martin.

Decorah’s summer festivities are also a draw for students.

“My roommate and I will probably do a lot of things in Decorah this summer,” said Schumann. “We will probably have a great time at Nordic Fest.”

Overall, students are simply glad that it is summer, whether or not they are on campus.

“I just love being out in the sun,” said Nimmo. “It makes me really happy.”