Work? Study?
How would you like to gain valuable work experience without leaving
campus? Work-study students not only make a much-needed
paycheck, they also benefit from an interactive work experience and
jump-start their careers even before graduation.
The premise of work-study is simple: Students who need or want to
work are offered various positions the school needs to fill. Eligibility for
the Federal Work-Study Program is determined through the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and according to your
financial need. However, most colleges and universities also offer
additional work-study programs, which allow non-need-based students
who want to work gain employment on campus.
Generally, you must apply for campus-based positions before the
beginning of the school year through your school’s financial aid or
student employment office. Available positions can include office
assistant, department aide, lab assistant, child-care worker and
campus safety officer.
“Our students work in every office on the campus, plus the gym,
bookstore, day care center, labs, library, security, nature center,
public broadcasting, TV and tutoring,“ says Nancy Vanzetta, director of
financial aid at Finger Lakes Community College in New York. Many
schools will even offer a small amount of paying community service
jobs to interested students. Some work-study jobs even offer extra
hours during school breaks and vacations, allowing students to work
full time and save up.
Pay rates may vary according to the college and the position desired.
The great thing about work-study paychecks is that they don’t usually
influence your financial aid package in upcoming years, whereas offcampus jobs often will.
“Any funds earned do not come back to haunt them on their next aid
application,” explains Vanzetta. “If they earned the same money offcampus, they could decrease their eligibility for aid the next time
around.”
But that paycheck is only the beginning of the vast array of benefits
work-study offers. “Work-study is a great résumé builder,” says
Ramona Cornell, coordinator of student employment at SUNY
Binghamton in New York. “Each May, there is an enormous amount of
intelligent and qualified [new grads] looking for a small amount of
jobs. The person who has worked while in college will generally get the
job over the person who hasn‘t.”
Therefore, a campus position can make you more marketable to future
employers, graduate schools and even potential scholarships. A
campus job will teach you to be a functional, skilled employee and
give you the chance to learn a great work ethic.
The atmosphere is often more informal than a full-time job‘s, so you
can learn from other students and your employer. ”Many employers
form lasting bonds with their student employees,” says Cornell. ”They
offer students valuable encouragement and advice.” It‘s not
uncommon for employers to keep reliable students for all four years of
college.
Employers can also offer valuable references when students move on,
as well as invaluable networking opportunities with potential
employers. You might even find an on-campus job related to your
major, which gives you an opportunity to glance inside the field and
determine whether it is, in fact, what you would like to do for the rest
of your life.
Work-study participants are also more likely to do well academically.
“Students who work tend to acquire better time-management skills,
which help them balance their schedules and handle the rigorous
academic curriculum,” Cornell explains.
Of course, it‘s important that work responsibilities don‘t interfere with
your education—there is such a thing as working too much while in
college. To avoid burnout and decreased academic performance, most
work-study positions offer around 10 to 20 hours of work per week.
This method keeps students in check, whereas off-campus jobs are
less likely to take into consideration students’ primary academic
responsibilities.
Work-study jobs also offer students a safe place to go, a place to
belong. “Student employees often become a part of the office or
community where they work,” Cornell says.
“The student has one more place to make friends and gain
responsibility,” agrees Vanzetta. “Some students that are away from
home for the first time need the adult companionship.”
If you would like to participate in a work-study program, follow these
considerations:
Apply early. ”Students who take care of their job applications early are
more likely to get a job,” says Cornell. Most positions are matched up
to employees on a first-come, first-served basis, although employers
often have a chance to request specific students at the beginning of
the school year.
Be professional. “Treat the job the same as you would a full-time job,”
advises Vanzetta. “Have respect for your supervisor, and do the best
that you can.” This is, after all, the beginning of your career, and you
should treat it in a diligent and professional manner. Be sure to keep a
courteous and positive attitude with your employer, fellow employees
and anyone else you encounter during your workday.
Follow the rules. Whether you‘ll be working in an office, lab or other
environment, do your homework about employee policies and
regulations. Never assume. Ask about dress codes, time cards, lunch
and break policies as soon as you get a job.
If you don’t like the job, say something. “If the job or the supervisor
doesn’t work out, come back and talk to us, don‘t just stop going,”
warns Vanzetta. ”We would rather switch the student to another job
than lose them.”
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