“I was a house boy at a sorority. I got free food and everything.”

— Seth Davidson, pastor, Lawrence

“I worked at the dorm cafeteria. It was horrible, but it was money.”

— Julie Williams, nurse's aide, Leavenworth

“I was a lifeguard. Bad pay and lots of sunburn.”

— John Hinman, self-employed, Topeka

“I was a nurse's assistant. It was my stepping stone into nursing.”

— Joanne Ashton, nurse, Tucson, Ariz.