In May, Pensacola Christian College students look forward to taking a break from academics for several months. While some students head home, many stay and shift gears into full-time employment to support a different campus environment through the summer. Those staying enjoy free room and board, work experience, and—of course—fun summer memories.
Why Stay the Summer?
While undergraduate classes don’t meet through the summer, campus stays busy with summer camps and graduate classes. Because of everything available over the summer, people are needed to help operations continue.
Students staying the summer work full time, receive free room and board, and earn $14.50 an hour. This allows for up to $7,000 that they can put toward their next semester’s tuition payment. Junior interdisciplinary studies student Mark Zacharias (FL) kept his semester job at Abeka over the summer for that reason. “Not only did I enjoy the high-quality environment over at Abeka,” he shared, “but I also wanted to fund my college tuition.”
December graduate Lexie Zandt (Youth Ministry ’25) worked four summers in the maintenance office and enjoyed her time there. “I chose to work at PCC during the summers because it was good pay, room and board was provided, and I always had transportation to work,” she said. Had she stayed home, she would have had to coordinate her work schedule with the rest of her family and share the family vehicle.
But work isn’t all that those who stay the summer have to look forward to; students also have Christian Service and student outings they can enjoy. One popular weekly event students can enjoy is Edify, the summer prayer group. Professional writing student Sophia Widholm (Sr., GA) enjoyed spending Tuesday evenings with other prayer-focused college students. “I found Edify to be a blessing. We would sing songs, listen to a devotional, and pray together afterward,” she shared.
Living so close to Pensacola Beach also benefits those who stay the summer. Working Teen Extreme during the week, Gracie Funk (Sr., CO) enjoys being able to relax on the beach with her friends during the weekend. “I love getting to interact with the campers each week. But I also love being able to make time to go to the beach, going hammocking at a park while watching the sunset, and doing game nights at the Commons with friends,” she said.
Freshman Angel Cowan (TX) spends her time away from the campus Distribution Center connecting with friends. “Usually after work, all of us would go to the Sports Center to hang out,” she shared. “Sometimes we’d even just watch movies together in one of our rooms. I’ve had so much fun making new friends and getting closer with other longtime friends over the summer.”
Memories that Last
Working on campus during the summer builds memories that last a lifetime, whether those memories are from summer work, friends made, or activities experienced. Sophomore Kathy Yoder (FL) enjoyed working in the nursery because of the memories she made with her supervisors, coworkers, and children. “There was just something special about walking into work and being met at the door by all the smiling kids. I wouldn’t trade this summer job for anything,” she shared.
Gracie Funk, working as a Teen Extreme camp counselor, also enjoyed her job. “I loved getting to interact with the campers,” she said. “Seeing souls saved and lives changed was incredible, but having it happen in the same place where I’ve spent my years of college was truly an amazing experience.”
Whether wanting to save for the next semester or making summer memories, students should consider being a part of the summer worker program. “At first, the summer was a little difficult to adjust to—it was so quiet and different from the semester,” admitted Sarah. “But I quickly learned to adjust and enjoy the environment. By the time summer ended, I was sad to bid it farewell. It’s been a blessing, learning to work a full-time job, being more self-sufficient, and persevering.”