When Matthew Kulikowski accepted a part-time job at NC State’s Wellness and Recreation Center, he expected it to be a way to earn extra money between classes. Instead, it became the foundation for his career.

“My initial expectation was that it was just going to be my part-time job while I was in school,” Kulikowski said. “It seemed like a fun atmosphere and close to where I lived. It turned out to be so much more.”

Kulikowski, who graduated in May 2023 with a degree in sport management and a minor in psychology, joined Wellness and Recreation in September 2021 as a member services specialist.

From the front desk, he handled membership and guest pass sales, locker rentals and daily customer service for students, faculty and staff. He later began helping onboard and mentor newly hired student employees during their first shifts.

The work required constant interaction and problem-solving. “No day was anything like the next,” Kulikowski said. “There were always different cases to solve around every corner. I learned to treat each situation individually and give people the attention they deserved.” He said the role sharpened skills that extended beyond the workplace, including adaptability, communication and decision-making.

Teamwork was central to the job. Member services staff worked closely with one another and professional staff to manage events, troubleshoot facility issues and assist thousands of patrons each week.

“Problem-solving was needed around every corner,” he said. “Whether it was a faulty locker or a membership issue, we were empowered to make decisions. I always felt prepared because of the support and training we received.”

He also remembers the camaraderie. “Every day coming to work, it didn’t feel like a job,” Kulikowski said. “I never woke up thinking, ‘I have to go to work today.’ It was a family-like atmosphere. We shared stories, laughed and genuinely enjoyed being there.”

One moment in particular stayed with him. During a shift, a patron who was deaf approached the desk for help. Without a shared verbal language, Kulikowski grabbed a pen and paper and began writing back and forth to communicate.

“It reminded me that our goal is always to help and find a solution, no matter the situation,” he said. “If you go into something with that mindset, you’ll figure it out.”

After graduation, Kulikowski spent some time searching for the right full-time role in campus recreation, a field he decided to pursue near the end of college. He now serves as the coordinator of membership and events for Campus Recreation at Florida State University, overseeing operations similar to those he once supported as a student employee.

He said the transition felt natural because of the foundation he built at NC State. “A lot of what I learned at WellRec is still with me today,” he said. “Customer service, leadership, communication — those things are part of my day-to-day now. I always felt like I was learning and developing with every shift.”

Kulikowski also credits Wellness and Recreation with shaping his overall college experience and connecting him to the broader campus community.

“Through member services, I interacted with students, faculty, staff and campus partners every day,” he said. “Those conversations helped me feel connected to NC State in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

As NC State prepares for Day of Giving, Kulikowski said he hopes others recognize the impact those student jobs can have. “WellRec holds one of the most special places in my heart,” he said. “I made some of my best friends there, and it helped me discover what I wanted to do with my career.”

Wellness and Recreation is the largest student employer within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, employing hundreds of students in a wide range of roles focused on leadership development, customer service and professional skill-building. Donations during NC State’s Day of Giving on March 25 help fund student employment, training and development opportunities that prepare students for careers like Kulikowski’s.