At some point everyone has been in the position of fulfilling an obligation they did not like. This is especially true for college students who are often forced to settle for classes or temporary jobs.

While it is tempting to give a mediocre effort, these experiences can be excellent opportunities to demonstrate a strong work ethic. Being forced to follow through with an unwanted responsibility is difficult because one sees no reward.

Working at a fast-food place to pay for books is no one’s dream job, but there should exist a sense of pride in the work one takes on.

One of the most mind-numbing classes I’ve ever taken is a physical geography class that fulfilled a General Education requirement. During one class an old ’80s video on soil erosion was shown, complete with a warped sound and a monotonous narrator. It ran long and the professor asked us to stay after the hour was up.

As I sat there literally watching dirt fall for an extra five minutes, I realized how much I hated the class. However, I stayed and worked really hard so I would pass and never again watch another soil erosion video. I finished the class a week early with an A and learned not only about physical geography, but about the importance of work ethic.

Whether it be emptying out trash cans or making it through an incredibly boring class, people should always give their best effort.

Senior theater major Sandi Lang works as a supervisor for Java City on campus and has seen examples of poor work ethic.

“There have been times when somebody will be at the bar talking to somebody waiting for their drink and it’s just like, not right now we have a line out the door,” Lang said.

Lang said she also thinks work ethic is important given the state of the economy.

“If you are not working hard for that job, there is someone else that can easily take it from you,” Lang said.

Eva Gabbe, manager of Employer Relations and Recruitment Programs for the Career Center, connects with employers in order to bring them to campus. Gabbe said work ethic is critical in today’s job market.

“With any recession, companies will look to the employees that are not producing and let them go,” Gabbe said. “So we have to be invaluable; we have to come to the table with lots of extra things that maybe 10 years ago didn’t matter.”

Gabbe also said the Career Center emphasizes the importance of developing a strong work ethic, especially through internships and volunteer opportunities.

“We stress relevant part-time jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, everything extra, which builds a work ethic,” Gabbe said. “It’s sending out a message that you’re willing to do more than the next person and that matters and especially in a recession market.”

Freshman chemistry major Gabriel Figueroa said he has a strong work ethic that he constantly seeks to reinforce. Figueroa feels a good work ethic is something everyone should develop.

“It is good to have a set of skills and habits,” Figueroa said. “It makes you a better person (and) you learn how to plan ahead.”

Being lazy is a habit not easily outgrown. More likely than not, a poor work ethic will not change with the arrival of a better opportunity.

It is not always easy to put one’s all into an endeavor, but it is definitely worthwhile. People should examine their own work ethic and remember the effort they put into work is a reflection of themselves.

Everyone should strive to be distinguished by hard work, not be overlooked due to mediocre effort.

Catalina Carapia-Aguillon can be reached at [email protected]