At any time during the semester, about 3,500 NIU students are employed on campus.

Most campus employers are near their capacity for students this semester, but some positions open during the semester, said Melody Amundsen, NIU coordinator of student employment.

There are still some openings in University Food Services and in some work-study jobs, she said.

Students who are not particular stand a better chance of getting a job now, Amundsen said. “If they are fussy, they may not be able to get what they want.”

Robert Fredrickson, residence hall food service director, said there are an unusual number of job openings now, compared to previous spring semesters.

Fredrickson said residence hall food services can employ about 700 students and some halls are operating with about 90 percent of their capacity employment, while others have about 67 percent.

Some students who are eligible for work-study have disqualified themselves because they accept a full Stafford Loan instead of the work-study option of financial aid, Amundsen said.

Students have the option to take part or all of the loan amount and participate in the work-study program for the amount they do not receive in loans, Amundsen said. By working a part-time job, students will earn money needed for school and not have to repay loans.

Mitch Kielb, Holmes Student Center Bookstore director, said the bookstore employs about 150 students each semester, but there are no openings now.