Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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Sholeh Katouzian, nurse's ' lfl 5, ---x- H . . . :: A K .VL s I 3251 ' ss T' i , 1- ix is s H, aide Sholeh Katouzian, Iranian senior majoring in plastics technology, began her job as a nurse's aide at Medicalodge nursing home primarily to improve her English, which was non-existent when she came to this country two years ago. Applying at Medicalodge was a logical choice because Katouzian's sister worked there as a nurse. Katouzian works about 16 hours a week and nor- mally take 21 hours of classes at the university. Working while attending so many hours of classes cuts down on her free time, but she says she likes to keep busy and enjoys the rigorous pace. Katouzian enjoys her work. The old people get happy when I talk to them. Most Medicalodge residents are just old, not sick. But at times Katouzian finds the work an emo- tional strain. When somebody dies, it hurts, but she says that learning how to handle things such as death is important. They are a part of life and must be faced. Barbara Smith, ticket teller Barbara Smith, a Cosmeto- logy student from Pittsburg, spends five evenings a week as the box office cashier at the Cinema Theatre. It doesn't interfere with school at all. I have plenty of time to study. I donlt work past 10 p.m., and I get Wednesday and Thursday nights off, Smith said. She has worked at the Cine- ma for 2V2 years. I usually just work here, but when the drive-in is real busy I help out in the lobby when Pm finished here. Through working here I've learned what to expect from the public, and llve learned a lot about different kinds of people. I also think it will help me in money manage- ment. Smith said her job isn't as tedious as it might seem. It's kind of interesting sometimes. We get groups in here from the Boy's Court, L-Makers, 10th Street Man- or, and places like that. She said the most exciting thing that ever happened was when she helped catch a man who was wanted in five states for swindling money and forging checks at places like the Cinema. We be- came suspicious of him and called the police. I had to go down and identify him.

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As a music major, Pittsburg freshman, Brenda Bath, is required to practice the organ. Her job as church organist for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also requires regu- lar practice. Fortunately, she is able to intermingle the two. Bath likes her job. I enjoy doing it to say the least. I feel like I'm really taking a part in the service. Being a student of piano for 12 years and having studied organ for three years, she is well qualified. Bath set a record on the campus when she was six- teen: she was the youngest person to give a public music recital at McCray Auditorium. Her participation in music at the church began five years ago when Bath's grandmother was director of Bi- ble school, and persuaded her to play at a program. Thatls when they realized I could do it, so I did. Bath said her experience as organist will help her in the future. It's always something I can fall back on. There's always a need for an organist. Her ultimate goal is to give organ and Mike Slabaugh, laundry worker On top of carrying a class load of twelve hours, Mike Slabaugh finds time to work 40 to 50 hours a week managing the Fabric Care Center at 414 S. Broadway in Pittsburg. Slabaugh, a senior from Eureka, Kan., is majoring in business administration. Slabaugh said he doesnlt mind working the long hours. I wouldn't partici- pate in sports, even if I had the time, because I have bad knees. If I wasn't working, I'd be out drinking. Besides, it gives me time to think. By working, I can manage my time better. Instead of wasting my time doing something else, I can plan my school work around work. Slabaugh said working helps him understand people better. 'lCollege doesn't prepare you to deal with people. Working with the public everday gives me a perspective on the real world and helps me tie the two together, hopefully developing my thoughts to my advantage. Admitting he got his job through inside contacts m- his dad owns the business -- Slabaugh says it beats many jobs he's had in the past. Be- sides, a lot of single girls come in! Almost everyone from the college comes in at least once during the year. It's a great place to meet peoplef' L ,,.. I fd, V. g 5. . -. r,1frf,.,g,. Brenda Bath, church organist piano lessons, and she plans to start giving a few lessons in the near future. I want to be able to be active in the community and in the church. Her occupation is not without its em- barrassing moments. I was in a piano recital and I forgot the first note, so I had to ask the teacher on the way up. Another time, I started over on a verse when we were actually through. The worst time was when I was accompany- ing the District Choir and my music blew off as the air conditioner was turned on. Thatis called instant panic. Music is not her total world, though. Besides carryin 20 hours, and playing the organ in Sunday services, Bath works nearly 20 hours each week as an accounts receivable clerk in a local phy- sician's office. W 1 'I

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Ron Neville, Psychiatric aide Psychology major Ron Ne- ville says he learns more through his experiences as a psychiatric aide at Mount Carmel Medical Center than he does in most of his college classes. School helps me. I can apply some of what I learn to patients here, but there's a lot of on- the-job experience. Nobody can teach you in school what a person's thinking. Nevelle, a junior from Par- sons, worked at the Parsons State Training Center while attending Labette County Community Junior College. He attended aide training classes and became a licensed mental health technician. When I trans- ferred to PSU, I cornmuted for a while, but working, classes, studying, and driv- Jim Friskel, funeral home attendant ing got to be a hassle. My sister told me Mount Car- mel had an opening, so I ap- New plied and moved to Pitts- burg when I got the job. Inga llie Out here we listen and talk to the patients about their problems and any- thing else they want to talk about. Then we have to make reports on their be- havior. The experience it- self is worth more than the money I make out here. You can see what you're do- ing right and what you're doing wrong and use that information to help in oth- er cases. I like this field, I know it's what I want to do. It's the most interesting work I've ever done? Unclassifiable', is how Jim Friskel, Frontenac freshman, characterizes his job at the Friskel Funeral Home. Friskel has a wide assortment of re- sponsibilities. He drives a hearse or limousine in funerals, and says it is a job he endures rather than enjoys. He often drives to Joplin to pick up empty caskets, or travels to the Gi- rard branch of the funeral home on errands. Another of his chores is set- ting up chairs for funeral services or visitations. When business is slow, Friskel keeps the company cars washed and dusted. Due to the nature of the business, working hours are dictated by need. I may work all day one day, and none the nextg some weeks a lot, some very few hours. However, he claims he doesn't let it interfere with his college classwork. Even though Friskel worked at the funeral home all through high school, he doesnit plan on going into mortu- ary science. His major is general study, and he is undecid- ed on any specific area. How will this job influence his career? It might have an effect on my future, but I don't know if it will help or hinder it. I don't know what my future is.