Jobs 101: On-Campus Employment
Despite what you may think, there are a lot of ways to make money as a college student. Here at the University of Rochester there are plenty of restaurants near River Campus, the Medical Center, and the Eastman School that hire students. You can also apply for paid internships over the summer or during the school year. This article will focus on part-time jobs available within the University itself, offering students employment opportunities in a variety of departments.
What jobs are available and where can you find them?
There are so many different jobs available on campus and you’ll find them posted on Joblink, which you can access by scrolling down on Blackboard’s home page once you’ve logged in. You can sort the jobs listed by federal work study requirement, amount of hours, by department, or most recently posted. Popular times for job postings are the beginning of semesters.
Sample jobs include being a cashier at Rocky’s Sub Shop, a library assistant in one of the several libraries, marketing work for various departments and organizations, and research assistants. There are also many opportunities to become a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a class which are not typically listed on JobLink. You need to have taken the class and then talk to the professor about being a TA the next time they teach it. Some departments have the budget for paying TAs but many are just for academic credit.
All undergraduate students are recommended to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, with international students being capped at that number. International students can apply for jobs without a social security number and can apply for one once they’ve been hired. Please reach out to the International Services Office with any questions about working as an international student.
What is federal work study?
When you get your financial aid package, you may notice an amount connected to something called “work-study.” Federal work-study is a program for U.S. citizens and permanent residents that provides money for part-time employment at participating schools for full-time or part-time students with financial need. While FWS does not guarantee you a job at the University of Rochester, there are some jobs you’ll notice on JobLink that are either only available for those with FWS or listed as “FWS preferred.” You’ll still have to apply as usual and likely have an interview. The FWS funds combine with the University’s money to pay you your paycheck. If you run out of FWS funds during the year, the school would be on the hook to pay for your full paycheck and you’d need to notify your boss in case that changes anything.
Why should you get an on-campus job?
On-campus jobs are great opportunities for several reasons (besides the obvious of making money).
- Easy access to your workplace. This one is pretty self explanatory but it’s so much more convenient to be within walking distance of your workplace.
- Learn new skills and grow your resume.
- Make connections within the University.
In addition to writing for the Admissions Blog, I also do marketing for Facilities Team Green, doing social media management and graphic design. I also help staff our in person events (as pictured above). As someone who would like to work doing something similar to that, this has been a great opportunity to get relevant work experience during the academic year and get the full use of my FWS money. I’ve gotten to learn more about the inner workings of recycling and sustainability at the University through interviewing staff for articles and even got a private tour of the University’s power plant.
Learn more about student jobs on the Student Employment Office’s website.