Until she graduates in May, multitasking has become a way of
life for this OU senior as she balances 15 hours of class with a fulltime job.
“My schedule is crazy but I love it,” Ashley Stephens said.
“It definitely isn’t easy but I keep reminding myself that all the hours and
work I’m putting in now are going to pay off in May when I graduate.”
Stephens is studying accounting and finance at Price College
of Business and is an assistant coach for the Chesapeake Swim Club.
“I was swam for ASU for three years then transferred to OU
because of a coaching change,” Stephens said. “I stopped swimming because I
wanted to focus on school. I’m graduating in May, it’s hard not to worry about
getting a job.”
After she graduates, Stephens said she is planning on moving
to Seattle, Wash. to work for her dad at Costco’s corporate headquarters.
“My dad is the Senior VP of Pharmacy for Costco,” Stephens
said. “I won’t be working directly for him but I’m applying for jobs in the
corporate headquarters.”
Stephens said that while she enjoys coaching, the time
commitment and salary are making her question whether or not the job is worth
keeping.
“Monday, Wednesday and Saturday I leave my apartment at 5:15
for 6a.m. practice,” Stephens said. “Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I leave
straight from class at 2:15. This Tuesday I didn’t get home until 8:30, went
straight to the library and didn’t leave until 2a.m. All nighters are normal
for me now.”
The Chesapeake Swim Team practices at the OCC Aquatic Center
in Oklahoma City. Stephens said she spends over an hour driving to and from
practice each day.
One of Stephen’s swimmers, Jessi Hildebrand, said that she
really appreciates how much time Stephens spends with them, as she is the only
coach available for morning practices.
Another OU senior, Steven Pelitere, is balancing 12 hours of
school with his 30-hour workweek as a bartender at Chimy’s on Campus Corner. Since
Chimy’s opened in April, Pelitere has worked his way up from checking IDs at
the door to training as a manager.
“It’s all about time management, my school and work
schedules fit together like puzzle pieces,” Pelitere said. “When I’m not in
school I’m working. My boss adjusted my schedule so I could attend office hours
every week and still make it to work.”
Because of their ability to efficiently manage time,
Stephens and Pelitere both said they are leaving OU feeling confident they will
find jobs upon graduation.
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