Although many University departments are offering more and more work study positions at this semester's Job Fair, students are looking for cold, hard cash.

Michael Ellis (senior-science) and Michelle DeLong (junior-elementary education) agreed that the University needs to offer more wage payroll positions for students who need extra money but do not qualify for work study.

"I have rent to pay," Ellis said. "I think most people are looking for wage payroll jobs and I am applying at the Meadows Psychiatric Clinic and Centre Pines, which are both wage payroll positions."

Ellis and DeLong joined a stream of other students looking for work at yesterday's Job Fair in the HUB Fishbowl.

Located about 20 miles off campus, Centre Pines, Inc., Route 192, Madisonburg, is a long-term care facility for people with brain damage, said Candace Ziemer, Centre Pines administrator.

"We are looking for neuro-care assistants to help wash, clothe and feed patients," Ziemer said. "We do not have a set number of employees that we are looking for because we are still building more facilities."

But Tim Balfour, University financial aid coordinator, said students are using work study aid now more than ever before.

"This increase in use benefits us as well as the students because this way we can request more money next year," Balfour said. "I do think that this is directly affected by the economy."

The Job Fair hosted off-campus representation from Centre Pines, the Meadows Psychiatric Clinic in Centre Hall and the State College Area School District. Various on-campus groups also attended.

"There are some good opportunities for students to find work in their field of interest and get payed to do what they like to do," said Jeff Dixon, assistant director of HUB programs and operations. "For example, some psychology majors could find jobs at the Meadows Psychiatric Clinic and get experience."

DeLong also applied for a wage payroll position with Penn State Catering -- one of the few University groups that offers wage payroll jobs.

"We have had about 100 to 150 people apply so far and we are looking to hire about 40 to 50 students," said catering employee Kristin Blankenhorn (sophomore-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) just two hours after the fair began. "The fact that we are one of the few wage payroll groups here might have something to do with our numbers."