Campus Life

The Benefits of Student Employment: The Path Towards Experience

When I first received my work-study award and was accepted to Boston University, I was thrilled at the thought of a grant that would help me pay for school, but confused about what was expected of me. I thought: what is a work-study award? Is it a loan? A grant? All I knew was that I would need to find a job soon to keep my work-study award, so I started my hunt on the Student Link. Luckily, I found the perfect job that allowed me to learn about student employment on campus: a social media assistant for the Student Employment Office. Not only would I be running the department’s social media accounts, but I would also be learning about employment as a college student and what my work-study award truly meant. You may ask:

How did I find my ideal on-campus job? 

Well, first, what does work-study mean?

“Work-Study is a federal financial aid program designed to promote access to employment to help students meet educational expenses. Students are personally paid for hours worked in an eligible Work-Study position, as the program is intended for students to use their Work-Study earnings to pay for education-related expenses.”—Boston University Student Employment Office (SEO)

​I started by asking myself what I valued most in my search for on-campus employment. Things I wanted included: a flexible schedule, an understanding supervisor, and a job that would allow me to build skills for my intended career. After emailing the supervisor listed on the Student Link and meeting with her in person, I knew this job was for me.

As a future marketing professional, I had always felt that graphic design was not my strong suit, but I wanted to improve my skills. In this position, I would design graphics for the Student Employment Office’s social media channels. Now that I am a junior, I have developed the skill significantly, and it has benefited me in group projects, internships, and my e-board position in an on-campus club I am a part of. Regarding flexibility, my supervisor and I agreed that I could choose my hours as long as I checked in with her. This was ideal for me as a freshman who intended to be heavily involved on campus. Not to mention, freshman year can be a challenging transition—it was for me! 

​While it can be daunting to start a job on campus, feeling uncertain whether you will have time for other responsibilities, I encourage you to talk candidly with your prospective employer about your concerns. You must choose a position that fits both your schedule and your personality. I did not magically find a job that fit all my criteria, but I spoke openly with my supervisor to accommodate my needs. At the end of the day, you want to be able to look forward to working in a positive work environment, even if it is intended to fulfill your work-study award. You may not find this in your first meeting with a prospective employer, but I promise there is a position for everyone!

Here’s how the Student Employment Office can help YOU in your job search:

• Finding a part-time job while you’re enrolled in school

• Understanding if you’re eligible for an increased work-study award

• Getting your paperwork ready for your I-9. Here are some details on why you need to complete your I-9 and what you’ll need to complete it.

• Getting paid!