Needed Income

David R.

December 12, 2009 - 6:20 PM

Everyone knows that college isn't cheap. Unless you are an athlete with a full ride, the money moves out of the bank account much faster than it moves in. It is for that reason that I, like many students, decide to work over the break.

During the winter break after my freshman year, I was lured in to work at Honeybaked Ham with a few of my high school friends. The work was grueling, and the hours long, but it paid pretty well. Because of this, I decided to return during the winter break of my sophomore year, and again this year, regardless of the rough holiday season. I considered finding work somewhere else, but then I realized that by the time I found work somewhere else, after having applied and being trained, the break would almost be over. I decided to return to work at a place where I was already well-acquainted, and could start right when I got home. My first day was Saturday, the day after I arrived home. My responsibilities vary from day to day, but I spend the majority of my time as the ham slicer. As the ham slicer, I take the whole ham, and place it on a revolving set of prongs. From there, a sharp blade is set inside the ham, and moves its way up vertically as the ham rotates. After roughly 60 seconds, the entire ham is perfectly spiraled. This job is relatively standard, but this year, I have another responsibility, that stems from my summer experience as a mascot.

Up until this summer, I had only worked at Honeybaked Ham during the winter season. In addition to my job with the Colorado Rockies, I decided to work at Honeybaked Ham in the summer as well, to try to make a little extra money, as I came home from school with $66 dollars in my name. Few people know that the Honeybaked Ham mascot is a bumble bee named Hambee. The mascot has a uniform, which consists of nothing more than a life size bumble bee outfit, with a head and antennas- the whole shabang. As I worked with all females, they refused to put on the suit, so I was forced into it, and I stood on the street corner holding signs for those who drove by. Because of my experience as a mascot this summer, this season, I will be dressing up into a full body Santa Clause suit, to better represent the holiday season. I will be roaming around outside handing out samples to those who are in line outside. Honeybaked Ham is like an airport during the holiday season. It isn't uncommon for the line of customers to extend outside and wrap around the store.

Working should be wild this season, but I need as much money as I can make so I can afford all of the fun I want to have in Eugene and at the University of Oregon when I return in January.