By Mary Nussbaumer
Welcome to the Job Feature Series, a weekly column highlighting student workers around campus. This week, meet Bita Kavoosi ’20, a longtime student guide at the Fine Arts Center. Note that this interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What is your name?
Bita Kavoosi.
What is your job on campus?
I am a student guide at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. The Fine Arts Center was absorbed by Colorado College in 2017. It has a gallery, restaurant, and theater space.
How long have you been working there?
This is my third year.
What are your shifts like?
I work either a single (2-hour) or double (4-hour) shift. I walk around the gallery and approach guests to talk to them about the art. I have learned a lot about the artwork by becoming friends with the patron experience guides, which has been cool. My job is mostly about directing visitors to resources, though. I tell them where certain pieces or sections of the gallery are. I can show them the art cards as well, which have information and questions about the art.
What is your favorite part of your job?
It is a great opportunity to connect with the larger Colorado Springs community through art. I also like my staff, which is about 20–30 other students.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
It can be hard to manage my schedule while working this job and being an RA and a student as well. Despite this, though, the hours are flexible.
What have you learned from working as a student guide at the Fine Arts Center?
I have definitely gotten a lot better at approaching people I don’t know. I have to introduce myself to the guests and make conversation with them. We also do reflections at the end of each shift, which has forced me to reflect a lot about the work I am doing and what I get out of it. It encourages me to always do my best (and work on my writing)!
Would you recommend this job to a friend?
Yes. It is an easy way to connect with the community while still working on campus. You also get to hang out at the gallery and learn about art, which is a nice break from academic life on campus. I find it can be very meditative and relaxing. I don’t think most students spend enough time at the gallery given that we get free admission. It can be really easy to forget that the Fine Arts Center is part of CC because of our busy lives as students, so this job forces me to spend time appreciating this awesome resource.