Students sticking around State College this summer might be daunted by the task of sifting through summer employment opportunities.

A basic idea of what line of work a job seeker is interested in, combined with a realistic outlook on the jobs available can help lighten the application process.

"I want to earn tips," said Daniel Genshaft (senior-finance) about his summer job hunt. "I don't want to have a base pay of like $5 an hour in some crappy clothing store."

Lucky for Genshaft, some local eateries are looking to hire this summer.

"It's hard to speculate that far off, but we're always taking applications," said Ben Ferrell, general manager of Eat'n Park Family Restaurant, 1617 N. Atherton St. "If they're going to apply for a summer job, I'd encourage them to stop in now because that's one of the things I look for -- people who are going to be available in the summer."

David Wells, general manager of Dante's Restaurants, Inc., said the company's businesses would be hosting an open interview Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Deli, 113 Hiester St.

The businesses include the Deli, Beulah's Bar-B-Que and Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St., Hi-way Pizza, 130 E. College Ave., 420 E.College Ave., and The Saloon, 101 Hiester St.

"As we approach the next several weeks, obviously there's a lot of transition going on. Some employees will be deciding to go home at the last minute," Wells said.

Students looking to be outside while earning hourly wages might look into one of the many landscaping companies in the area.

"I'm going to be around for the beginning of the summer," said Shawn Heeter (junior-journalism). "I haven't looked around that much for a job yet. I'm going to do landscaping work."

One such outdoor opportunity students like Heeter might apply to is Shades of Green, 215 E. College Ave. Penn State student and director of operations at the landscaping company Dan Roberts (junior-agricultural business) said he was interviewing for crew member positions.

"It's a physically demanding job, but the hours aren't that bad, like 8 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m.," Roberts said. "Experience isn't required, but it's helpful."

Matt Martynuska, manager of University Book Centre, 206 E. College Ave., said because of the nature of the store, the establishment would probably not be looking for applicants this summer.

"It's sort of a slow time, and if we do any hiring it would probably be late summer into the fall," Martynuska said. "It's the time to cut back on payroll to save it for the busier times. There aren't a lot of students around."

Students interested in working with children might submit an application at one of the day care agencies in town. Cindy Schultz, director of day care at St. Paul's Christian Preschool, 127 McAllister St., said students were welcome to stop in and pick up an application.

"We could possibly have some part-time work, but we don't have any full-time positions right now," Schultz said. "We usually like to have people who are going into elementary education or early childhood fields, but experience is good too."

Brennen Hydzik (senior-electrical engineering) is at least one student who will not be joining the ranks of competitors scrambling to find summer employment.

"I'm not really looking for a job in State College," Hydzik said. "If I don't get a permanent job somewhere else, I'm just going to live off my lease for the summer, hang out at Whipple Dam and get drunk a lot."