Participation in a federal work study program not only provides a means to earn money for your college education but also presents an opportunity to acquire practical skills relevant to your field of study. The offerings vary among colleges, but applying for a work-study position can pave the way for valuable career-oriented experiences. Whether it involves serving as a campus barista, tutoring peers, or working as an assistant, these work study programs cater to students seeking financial support while offering invaluable career-building opportunities.
Benefits of Work Study
Benefits of participating in a work study program include:
- They provide income to help cover the costs of your education and day-to-day expenses.
- Most are right on campus, so you don’t need to spend extra time on money and transportation.
- You’ll get hands-on work experience related to what you’re studying, which can help with your future career goals.
- They offer flexible hours to accommodate your class schedules, allowing for work and academic balance.
- You’ll learn practical skills like managing your time, communication, teamwork, and solving problems.
- They can open doors to other opportunities within a career path you were already interested in or one you didn’t know about previously.
How Do I Apply?
To apply for a work study program, you’ll need to follow a few steps. First, not every university offers work study, so it’s a good idea to check with your school’s financial aid office to see if you can participate. To find out if you are eligible for work study, you will also need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Check the box that you are interested in participating in work study programs. It is best to fill this out as soon as possible, as aid is determined on a first-come first-serve basis.
How To Find Jobs
Some schools may match you to a job, while others let you find one on your own. The majority of work study jobs are on campus, and many schools have online job postings where you can look and apply. Read through the job listings and their descriptions and think about if it works for your schedule and what you want. For example, if you plan to spend a lot of time studying in the dorms, being a resident assistant may be a good fit. Do you want your work-study job to lead to a full-time career? Do you prefer to stay on campus? Consider all of these factors when deciding what kind of job to look for.
13 Work Study Programs
1. Library Assistant
There are certain tasks you’ll have to complete as a library assistant. That includes putting away books, helping students find texts, assisting with computer work, or checking out books to students, faculty, and staff. These tasks can look excellent when you’re resume-building, as working in a library is no joke! Between curation and customer service, there is a lot going on.
2. Office Assistant
There are plenty of places for you to work as an office assistant on campus, from the school’s gym to the math department. You’ll answer phones and potentially emails, file documents, assist professors, and complete other office tasks.
3. Tour Guide
Each college and university offers open houses and tours for high school students. You probably attended some yourself! The school may offer some positions to alumni or people in the admissions department. However, positions are open to work study program students as well.
4. Marketer
Your college may very well need assistance when it comes to their marketing department. From social media to pamphlets for open houses, there’s a lot of ground to cover. There could be openings for students here but what you’re hired to do depends entirely on your school’s needs.
5. Art Department Assistant
Working as an art department assistant allows you to develop your skills in a creative environment while contributing to the art community on campus. Your tasks may involve managing the art studio or helping with events, projects, or exhibits.
6. IT
Many employees in the computer lab and help desk are actually work study students. You may help fellow students with their computer or printer related issues, supervise computer use, or answer phones at a help desk. This can be a great job as you often have the time to work on your own projects between calls.
7. Tutor
If there’s a particular subject you excel in, tutoring may be right up your alley when it comes to the work study program. This could be helping your peers, but you may also be asked to help in local K-12 schools.
8. Fitness Center Assistant
Fitness care assistants can have a wide range of different tasks required of them. You could be in charge of cleaning, sanitizing, or organizing equipment, or you may be asked to be a receptionist to the center. Other schools ask their fitness center work study students to fill in as managers for the sports teams, judges, referees, or fitness programmers. The job you’re given will most likely be assigned by availability, but your experience in sports may also play a role.
9. Research Assistant
Many labs in colleges and universities are short-staffed. Research assistants in the work study program can provide the much-needed support for research, equipment, and labs. You may be asked to clean and maintain equipment, but some students get to take part in exciting work.
Research assistant positions tend to pay more than other work-study positions, but there are also more stringent requirements. A school may only ask for students who are studying a related major or have prior laboratory experience.
10. Computer Lab Tech
Computer labs often are in need of workers to help other students with computer, printer, and internet issues. You may be assigned to the lab itself or the IT team depending on gaps in their program. This tends to be a favorite as most days it’s quiet and you’re able to work on your own projects or browse the internet while being paid to do so.
11. Day Care Assistant
As employee and student benefits expand, many colleges are starting to offer daycare to parents. Getting this position may be difficult (your school might not even offer it), but work study students can expect to help plan daily activities for the children, implement them, and complete various reception duties. Schools usually require students interested in this position to be focusing on early childhood development or other education-related majors.
12. Mail Room Assistant
Mailrooms can be busy places, especially at a large university, and they can need all the help they can get. A school will require a mail room assistant to sort and deliver mail, operate equipment, work reception, deliver equipment and supplies around campus, and more.
13. Local Organization Positions
Sometimes, local nonprofits are looking for employees. Colleges will partner with these organizations for their work study program. The jobs available can vary wildly from animal shelter assistant to working in a food bank to helping at the Boys and Girls Clubs. It’s important to talk to your school to see if there are any partnerships like this.
Although these are just some of the more common jobs when it comes to work study programs, each school is different and job opportunities can change from year to year. When applying for a job on campus, try to find one that matches your interests or can give a boost to your resume after you graduate!
Do you need additional funding for school above and beyond your work study program? Use our student loan finder to find and compare rates from different lenders and the most affordable loan for you.
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