By Richard Zagrzecki
The diversity of the student population is one of Kevin Trinh’s favorite things about the University of Houston.
The sophomore computer information systems major discovered that diversity before even attending his first class. During new student orientation, he noticed right away that the other incoming freshmen were from a variety of different races, cultures, ethnicities and religions.
He now experiences that diversity first-hand almost every day as a student employee in the Cougar Card office.
“With this job, everyone coming in is from different backgrounds. I like talking to them and hearing their stories,” he said.
Trinh has worked in the Cougar Card office for a year, having applied for and being offered the position after finding out about it at a student job fair. He usually sits behind the front counter assisting students, faculty and staff who come in for a variety of different reasons.
The first couple of weeks of each semester sees the most foot traffic in the office, which is located on the ground floor of the Welcome Center Parking Garage. Many want to pick up their Cougar Card after submitting their photos online. Others come in and have their photo taken at the front counter.
As the semester progresses, the crowds taper off.
“The main thing that people usually come in for during the school year are lost cards. People lose their card all the time,” he said.
Besides assisting customers, Trinh also checks the office’s email and voicemail when the office opens in the morning.
“People leave such questions as what time we are open, what time we close, how they can submit an online photo and stuff like that,” he said.
Trinh grew up in Houston and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in the Aldine Independent School District. He is the first member of his family to attend UH. His decision to come here was made easier by the fact it is close to home, and many of his friends also are UH students.
When he is not attending classes or working, he often tinkers with electronics – something that has interested him for as long as he can remember. He has the knowledge and ability to troubleshoot and fix problems with computers and cell phones.
“Friends and family come to me when something isn’t working,” he said. “It’s become like a little side business.”