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Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Jonas
Building Summer Connections Article by TJ Dysart For some students, living in the Milwaukee area for nine month is not enough, so some stay for twelve. During the summertime at Marquette, the typical trips to the classroom are replaced with trips to the Alumni Memorial Union, clinics and other locations around Milwaukee to participate in summer work. Some people may assume students take on summer jobs for one main purpose: financial compensation. But a number of Marquette students say that there are many more opportunities that come with working over the summer,
particularly on campus. “You know, it is worth noting that since we aren’t spending time in class, there are so many more opportunities to be social and to get to know other people,” Elizabeth Jonas, a senior in the College of Nursing and SPARK leader director says. “In fact, you aren’t even allowed to be taking summer classes if you are working for SPARK.” Last summer, SPARK was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has returned to its original in-person format this summer, giving SPARK leaders an opportunity to
grow, learn and have fun. Jonas, who first joined SPARK last summer, says she joined for the convenience of living in Milwaukee. “I think it was perfect for me because I was able to live in Milwaukee, make money, and learn a lot about myself and the community,” Jonas says. Jonas says that she didn’t expect the connections and friends she built through SPARK. “We’re forced to socialize and be with each other a lot, so you kind of get so comfortable with the people around you that when you’re not working you
