Essays · May 25, 2026
The Highest-Paying Job on Campus
A poem, a memory, and the question no one asked.
Nearly 30 years ago, as an incoming freshman, I signed up for the highest-paying job on campus. It gave me money, friends, and experiences that still shape how I see the world. But on some days, walking through the Yard as a naive 18-year-old kid, I'd see other freshmen relaxing on the grass on a beautiful fall or spring afternoon, knowing I was on my way to clean upperclassmen's bathrooms. That experience left me with a lot of questions. I've always wanted OneKidReadThis to grow beyond my own poetry. This first essay is a deeper exploration of "Reunion," the poem I published on May 11, 2026.