So, Like, Dude, Can't We Take Care Of This Over The Phone?

Nick is a junior Poly Sci major with an interest in making as much money as possible as soon as possible. Recently, on a referral from the campus career center, Nick got a temporary part-time position doing what ever for a small electronics start up near campus.  The company sells re-built cell phones, batteries and related products over the internet through two company sites and one e-bay store. One of Nick's tasks was to place a Help Wanted Ad for a webmaster for the company's growing on-line business. Nick was also required to interview the applicants briefly over the phone and scheduled those who preliminarily qualified for an in-person interview with the Operations Manager.

Nick did as directed and when the telephone responses started coming in he began placing some of the callers into the interviewing schedule slots.  Not all callers qualified but one who did surprised Nick with his response when asked when he would be available to come in for an interview.  The caller's response was,  " So, like,  dude, can't we take care of this over the phone?"  Nick explained that the next step to be considered for the position was an in person interview and the caller declined.  Nick completed that task and his other tasks for his brief time at that company and has since moved on to any and every other means he can find to make some cash when not studying.  Nick left with one significant lesson, 90% of any job is showing up.  He like all earnest and ambitious students had heard that same phrase which is attributed to several different prominent and successful people but he had never actually seen it demonstrated.  The requirement for the interview ( and we're not even talking about the actual job yet)  For The Interview was to 'show up.'  Even now with skype and ichat and the numerous tools for nearly in person interviews, employers really like to get an actual personal experience of whom they might be hiring.  It just figures.  Ever 'met' somebody over the phone or in a chat room. Then met them in person. Quite different, right? Well. Employers, same thing.  They want to see whom it is they could be paying to work.  That is it. Always the same basic rule, school, class, work, first rule; Show Up.

Land Lords, Leases and Party Larry

Eric and three other students had looked forward to moving off campus since freshman year. Last August, before the fall term, all four of them found a house near school. The rent was high, typical of homes near campus, but with all four of them working now they figured they could do it. The term started and along with work and class there were occasional partys.

Why not? No RAs, no campus security, and plenty of friends always willing to celebrate. One in particular, known around campus as Party Larry, was always in attendance. Party Larry, while not often seen in any classroom, was always seen at every near by party.   Life, class, work and parties went on until the middle of February.

That week end Eric went home and his housemates too had other plans. Up showed Party Larry and his party-hearty crew who, finding no one to admit them, simply kicked in the front door and partied on, leaving the expected residue of a major rager.

When  the paying residents returned they found they had a security challenge, no front door. In the state where these students reside the property owner is responsible for repairs to a residence. Eric thus called the landlady and explained what happened.

Not surprisingly, she was totally unsympathetic and said they were responsible for the repairs.
Being resourceful students they repaired the door and then Eric called his dad for advice. Eric's dad called an attorney friend and learned that yes, the landlady was responsible for repairs to the property. It is legal in that state to with hold rent for the cost of any repairs in this case replacing the door.

But.

There were other consideration.

Eric and his crew had signed a years lease. Each was working and some had plans for summer school. They had expected to reside in their place at least through August.  Friction with the property owner does not lead to enjoyable living. So. What to do?  Move out?  Break the lease. Well.  There is the matter of the security deposit and possibly a negative entry on the lease holders credit report.  And. Move to where? Moving like everything else costs money.

Plenty of real world stuff to think about.

The residents decided first, no more partying except among a few, very few, close friends. Also, never leave the house completely unattended. From now on some roomate had to be home.  Finally, they will withhold the cost of repairs from the last rent payment. The landlady will then, no doubt, freak out  but it being by then summer they will be able to make the necessary adjustments. No sense getting into a dispute with the property owner with finals coming.

All pretty wise and useful real world decisions. There are learning opportunities everywhere, every day on Planet College.