D1 was a TA at her school’s business school, even though it wasn’t her major.
D2 got a job at an office that funded many research and volunteer work around the globe. It very much tied in with her major and led to many other internships outside of school. I believe her internships also ultimately got her into the law school and her 2L law internship. It was one thing that led to another.
I suspect this depends upon the college and the talents of the student. Obviously, one doesn’t want the C student as a tutor. My lads mostly started at the bottom (washing test tubes in the research lab or similar) and worked their way up.
One lad started paid tutoring (Prof’s request) Arabic while still in Arabic 101. That lad has an uncanny gift for languages - one of his niches. Not every student will be able to do that, but for those who can, it’s a nice perk. His other love/job was working in the college composting group. It didn’t match his major, but matched his “love” and is what he’s opting to do as part of his job now (permaculture farming).
Another lad was a TA for a couple of different courses along with other jobs (like tutoring and research). He was the RA (3 years) and a couple of club presidents as well along the way. He also often had extra hours of classes by desire, not requirements (and graduated Summa Cum Laude, so it didn’t affect his grades). It’s just how he chose to spend his time - willingly. He had plenty of friends - most job/club/dorm/class related, of course.
Another worked in A/V - a love he began in middle or high school and continued through college even though it didn’t relate one iota to his major. This particular lad was sought out at freshman orientation because his application listed his A/V experience and those in charge had just had one of their best members graduate. They desperately wanted a replacement and somebody somewhere noticed it on his app directing it to the right person who sought him out. He did it all four years including a summer (helping the college rewire) and loved it.
The world can work in mysterious ways.
Those were my lads. Plenty of students at school return telling me about their jobs in labs, libraries, dorms, or wherever. It’s not at all uncommon to find things they like doing. Socializing on the job is often part of the fun.
In “my” day (a few moons ago), I worked in the dining hall and it was “just” a job for me. I can’t say I hear about that on campus much anymore. Some students do summer or break jobs at restaurants/retail, but I’m not sure how much colleges use them for it in this day and age. That’s where it might depend upon the college. The three my lads chose had paid organizations do everything with dining - not student workers.