The WHY of Student Employment
Quick Summary
- As returning, new, and transfer students make their way to UC Davis this fall, invariably one of the first things they seek out, after completing finishing touches in their room decor of course, is finding a part-time job.
As returning, new and transfer students make their way to UC Davis this fall, invariably one of the first things they seek out, after completing finishing touches in their room decor of course, is finding a part-time job. While getting a job around campus is as common a rite of passage as a picture with an egghead statue, it can be fraught with missteps, misinformation or mistakes. In order to decrease the anxiety of competing with the entire class of first-year students for work, at the UC Davis Career Center we encourage students to follow a few basic steps to get started.
Because nearly every student job on campus welcomes Federal Work Study (FWS), if the student in your life is eligible for FWS, this article provides guidance on how to find positions. Encourage your student to inform potential employers on campus that they are eligible for FWS when they apply. The student will still receive the same wage, but there are financial incentives for the hiring department.
Students have several resources for finding part-time jobs. Handshake is the best resource for them to consistently check for their campus gig (internships and career positions as well). Openings are listed across all departments so students will find a variety of opportunities. Students can set up notifications in Handshake to get job alerts when openings in departments of interest are posted, which will increase their chances of finding a student job that supports their career exploration.
Another resource to check out is ASUCD Jobs. This site offers positions working with ASUCD, Associated Students of UC Davis, the campus student government. With ASUCD, students have a high degree of responsibility such as managing campus-wide events that attract thousands each year like Picnic Day and the Whole Earth Festival. These, and other unique positions, fall under this amazing campus resource.
Additionally, students should look in person at high demand areas like Dining, Campus Recreation and Residential Life. While their jobs can be found on Handshake, it is not uncommon to inquire in person. This gives students the opportunity to show their enthusiasm and interest. From there they may be instructed to apply online, but showing up gives them the opportunity to make a positive impression while practicing their networking skills.
Last, encourage the Aggie in your life to keep their eyes open around buildings on campus. Jobs are sometimes posted on bulletin boards, outside lecture halls, offices, labs, or on walls near entrances. Students should stay alert to not easily pass these opportunities by.
The Career Center is an invaluable resource for student employment. Encourage your student to attend workshops, review our Career Resource Manual, and meet with an advisor for help with their job search today and in the future.
About 8,000 students are employed on campus every year in great jobs offering competitive pay and experiences they can transfer directly to real world careers in the future. Where else in America do college jobs include driving double-decker buses? - a job that shows tremendous responsibility, reliability and interpersonal skills! We welcome our returning, new and transfer students to another amazing fall at UC Davis. Happy job hunting!