Many college students need to work during the school year to receive the funding to cover rising tuition costs and build an impressive resume with great references, but too many overlook the tremendous benefit of working a job on campus. Often, an on-campus job is part of the package when considering financial aid that’s available to students. In fact, a report from the U.S. Census shows that 71% of undergraduate students are working while being enrolled full or part-time in college courses. Students who work between 10 to 15 hours per week on campus are generally much more likely than their classmates to persist in earning their degree. If you are looking for ways to expand both your resume and your wallet while studying, read on to learn everything you should know about finding student jobs on your college campus.
Important Benefits of Working on Campus
Before graduation, it is essential that you fill out your resume with solid paid work experiences that demonstrate your marketable skills that can be applied to your future career path. Since many college campuses limit the number of vehicles on campus, it may be inconvenient to travel off-campus for work each day. Luckily, on-campus jobs are designed specifically for students with the flexibility of working between classes and the convenience of walking to work. As your first step towards gaining independence from your parents, working on-campus jobs also will offer the money to cover your own expenses. Plus, becoming involved in campus living can also help you mingle with other students and professors to build lasting connections.
Types of On-Campus Student Jobs Available
Depending on your individual talents and future career interests, there are a wide range of job possibilities available on a college campus, so it only takes a bit of creativity to find your perfect fit. There will likely be the most job openings in food service positions at the dining hall to serve food, clean up tables, wash dishes, and man the cash register. If you are strong in academics, you may want to tutor other students in your campus’ academic support center or become a teaching assistant. For those with natural leadership skills, becoming an RA is a classic option to supervise residence halls and counsel younger students. Jobs can also be found at the library, admissions office, IT center, maintenance facilities and all academic departments.
How to Land a Great Job on Campus
With the large pool of candidates available, on-campus jobs can be tougher to come by than you might expect and competition can be steep. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid being picky by casting a wide net over a range of different jobs offered. After applying to any position that interests you, be sure to follow up with on-campus supervisors to stand out from the crowd of applicants. Whenever you land an interview, remember to act as professional as any other job interview by arriving on time and dressing appropriately. This will demonstrate to the employer that you are serious about the on-campus job and will likely help you to land an offer to begin creating important college connections.
Overall, the number of on-campus job options available to you will vary greatly depending on the size of your college or university, but there are more creative choices available than you may realize. In order to have the highest chance of success at finding a job on campus, it is recommended that you start searching early and check listings online before the school year to ensure you land a spot.