Pictured above: While most businesses nationwide close to limit the spread of COVID-19, some remain open and are looking for additional employees to help with increased demand.
Story and photo by Sophie Ojdanic
Businesses statewide have closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. With these closures, people have lost their incomes, and in some cases, their jobs.
With a worldwide pandemic and suggested self-quarantines, where can USF St. Petersburg students find work?
According to an email from financial aid, federal work-study students will be paid as normal based on hours worked in the last three pay periods. This pay will continue bi-weekly until the student either drops below half-time enrollment at the university or exhausts their eligibility for federal work-study.
Students who were employed off campus, or those who have multiple jobs, are still limited on the hours they may work or have lost their off-campus jobs entirely. With increased demand as more businesses shut down, there are still companies that are looking to hire extra hands:
- 7-Eleven: The convenience store chain is hiring about 20,000 store employees nationally during the pandemic to keep up with higher demand.
You can apply for a position at 7-Eleven here.
- Papa John’s and Domino’s: Pizza joints Papa John’s and Domino’s are looking to add members to their teams as demand for take-out increases.
You can apply to Papa John’s here.
You can apply to Domino’s here.
- Walmart: Charles Crowson, senior manager of corporate communications, said in an email to The Crow’s Nest that Walmart’s plan is to add 150,000 new members to its team.
“These roles will be temporary at first, but we expect many to convert to permanent roles over time,” he said.
To aid in quick hiring, the application cycle has been reduced from two weeks to 24 hours.
You can find the application here.
- Winn-Dixie: In an email to Winn-Dixie customers on March 20, the grocery store gave an update on its plans for the pandemic.
“Due to the impact of COVID-19 on hospitality and restaurant industries, we are hiring additional associates to be neighborhood heroes in serving customers and communities,” the email said.
The chain urged anyone interested in applying to head into his or her local Winn-Dixie, or apply here.
- Publix: The chain of supermarkets is hiring seasonal associates during the epidemic. According to Publix’s customer care line, applications are valid for up to six months, but they must be updated every 30 days.
You can apply for a position at Publix here.
- The HOTH: The HOTH is a St. Petersburg-based SEO — or search engine optimization — company. The company is always hiring remote content creators. As of Wednesday, there are five available positions.
You can apply for a position at The HOTH here.
Lastly, see if you can put your talents to use. In a time when people are stuck in their homes, if you have any sort of artistic or creative ability, see if you can sell some art, poetry, handmade crafts or other goods.
Creators may be able to sell their work on websites like Redbubble or Etsy, though websites like these may charge you for using the platform or deduct a portion of your earnings for production costs.
Most importantly, remember to keep your chin up. The world will get through this together.
