Imagine you’re in college and trying to balance work, classes, homework and a social life. They say it’s all about using your time wisely, but what if you could save time by reducing your commute? What if you could go to class, do some homework and work, all in one place? Well, you can! Working on-campus is a great option to make some money while you’re still in school. I know because I did it!
Common Ways To Work On-Campus as a Student
Federal Work-Study
If you qualify, you can apply for work-study funds through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Many EFSC departments including the Student Recruitment Office, Financial Aid, the Communications Office, the Cashier’s Office and the Offices of the Provost employ work-study students. Learn more about work-study opportunities at Eastern Florida.
Part-Time Employee
My position at EFSC made me an actual, part-time employee of the college — complete with benefits! Part-time jobs require a little more paperwork. Rather than being paid through Federal financial aid, they are funded by the College itself. New job listings at EFSC appear all the time, so be sure to check the website frequently if you’re hoping to find a part-time position.
Benefits of Working On-Campus as a Student
Convenience
Going to class, then heading straight to work afterward (all without losing my parking spot) was great. I saved a lot of money in gas, and I never had to worry about being late for work, as I was only ever a few buildings away.
Scheduling
The College knows education comes first. When you work on-campus, your supervisors are aware that you need to attend scheduled classes. Unlike with outside jobs, they’ll never ask you to work when you’re supposed to be in class. With classes being the priority, I knew they would never conflict with my work schedule, which relieved a lot of stress!
Connections
Being an on-campus employee helped me to make better connections with my professors, as well as with other College employees. My position in the SRO required me to work with staff in many different departments at EFSC including Financial Aid, the Office of the Provost, Advising and Admissions. This was a great opportunity to network with industry professionals as I prepared for my eventual career. I plan to be a teacher, and by working in the SRO, I also had many opportunities to go out into the field, visiting local high schools, talking to classes and helping students with applications — all of which lined up perfectly with my long-term goals. I probably wouldn’t have had this experience if I’d worked off-campus.
Downsides of Working On-Campus as a Student
Monotony
I like to change things up, but when you work and take classes in the same place, you end up spending a lot of time in the same areas, and that’s not always possible. Thankfully, I worked with people I loved being around, but on days when you really don’t want to be at school, it can be hard to find motivation for an on-campus job.
Questions
Depending on your job, people ask you a lot of questions if they know you work on-campus. By working in the SRO, I got to know the enrollment process like the back of my hand, which meant friends and acquaintances came to me looking for answers about all things EFSC. I constantly had people asking me questions. I honestly didn’t mind it too much because I love helping people, but be prepared for a similar situation if you work on-campus.
Working on-campus was one of the best things I could have done as a student. I loved the people I met, as well as the knowledge and opportunities I gained, such as a better understanding of how the College works and the resources that were available to me as a student. My contacts in other departments were always on hand to get me what I needed and to answer my questions. In the end, working with them so frequently made me a better employee.
Gaining experience in a professional office also helped me to develop my interpersonal skills and boost my resume, which landed me a job after I graduated! My new employer is very impressed that I have experience working on a college campus. It was a win-win experience (after all, I was making money) that really helped me a lot, and I’m sure it’ll be a great experience for you too — so go ahead and ask about on-campus opportunities, and see what happens!
- Working on Campus - August 21, 2019
- Study Abroad: Just Do It - June 5, 2019
- Thinking About Teaching? Join the Club! - April 17, 2019
