The Office of Recreation offers a variety of recreational programming to members of the Sumers Recreation Center which includes current students, alumni, faculty/staff, retirees, and spouse/partners of the WashU Community. Nearly 200 student employees serve as the front-facing portion of this enterprise. Their jobs range from greeting members at the front desk, checking out equipment at the equipment desk, teaching fitness classes, personal trainers, lifeguards, and running Intramural Sports. Sumers Rec Center student employees interact with members on a daily basis to create a welcoming environment.
Name: John Veller
Year: Class of 2028
Major: Political Science
On-campus job title: Intramural Supervisor
On-campus job department: Office of Recreation at the Sumers Recreation Center
Student positions at the Rec are an excellent venue for students to learn, practice, and grow the transferable skills that are important in any job across all industries. John Veller, an Intramural Supervisor, is a keen example of how student positions at the Rec provide essential professional development. John started working at the Rec as an intramural sports official. He liked that the job was compatible with the demands of being a student. As he grew in his role, he discovered that the Rec offered more than just flexible hours and a fun environment. “I like that there is a clear path for growth, whether it be from referee to supervisor or a facility host to a team lead,” says John. Now that he is a supervisor, he appreciates that there is real sense of responsibility. “My managers, make a point to empower me as a supervisor. For example, they give me input on new hire decisions and semester programming. Overall, the Rec infrastructure is really good in terms of supporting and developing student employees.”
John’s supervisor and Manager of RecSports & Camps, Lucas Smith, reflects on the growth he’s observed in John that made him a good fit to be a supervisor, “John has gone above and beyond from day one as an intramural official. John’s goal is to get students to engage in play, create community, and try new sports/games. This means having fun in between games with his co-workers, creating meaningful relationships with participants, and always having a positive attitude. While he still is able to have fun while on shift, he has grown in his maturity and awareness to handle situations. He is more proactive in taking charge of situations that require his attention.” While intramural sports might be just for fun, they still involve competition which can see emotions flair. “John excels in conflict management. As an official and a supervisor, he has been in the middle of many heated situations where he needed to be a calming presence. He also consistently follows up with the Pro Staff after these events, showing his wider situational awareness.”
John also recognizes how his daily work at the Rec has honed skills that will help him in his future career, “During our staff trainings we emphasize ‘power skills,’ for example, communication skills. In sports, there is constant communication required between staff and participants. I have learned how to articulate decisions, even unpopular ones, to participants in a manner that resolves possible conflicts. I’ve also learned how to delegate and manage peers effectively and train new referees. Communication is a huge part of this process.”
John sees how his on-campus job is setting him up for success post-graduation, “Becoming a supervisor has been good for my professional development in a lot of ways. For one, the role is low stakes but still holds more responsibility than any job I held in high school. I have real bosses, I have paperwork to fill out, and I have managerial duties. This experience has been like a trial run for work after college, with the structure and responsibility reflecting a higher level of professionalism. I would encourage anyone looking for student employment to apply to the rec and expect a good experience!”
Inspired by John’s story? The Sumers Recreation Center employs over 100 students every year in various roles. Student employment positions, when available, are posted on Handshake.
Written by Sarah Sims, March 30, 2026.
