Working on Campus is Rewarding
Thinking about getting a job on campus? Here are some ways working on campus can be rewarding.
By Maggie Argiro — August 26, 2022
I received a work-study award as part of my college financial aid package. In high school, I worked a little bit on the weekends. It was primarily inconsistent and not much to put on a resume. When my friend told me that the college theater needed people to help build sets, I thought working backstage and during productions would be fun.
After class, I wandered into the theater building, looking for the stage manager. I found the theater's main office and asked the office manager for directions backstage. Instead of giving me directions, she asked me a little about myself, work experience, and offered me a job on the spot! Even though it wasn't what I expected, I kept the job all four years of undergraduate and got a small raise in pay every year. My supervisor provided wonderful support for me throughout college. They also provided a reference for my first job application post-graduation.
Working on campus is rewarding in many ways. As a college library manager today, I learned a lot about effectively managing from my college work-study experience. Today, the best part of my job is hiring and overseeing student employees who assist with library projects and services. I love hearing about dreams and plans and what students do to reach their goals. I especially want to contribute to our student's success. Offering students campus work is one of the best ways I have to provide support.
Has this got you thinking about a great campus job? Here are some other ways working on campus can be rewarding:
- Your supervisor can act as a reference or referral for your next job or internship. I like giving glowing references for students, writing letters of recommendation, and helping my student employees reach their next career or education step.
- Build your resume, transferrable skills, and experience. Networking will make you a stronger candidate for jobs once you graduate. Campus employers understand that you won't be working for them forever and that your work-study job should help you get to your next place, whatever that may be. As you look at internships and jobs, your supervisor will probably be willing to look over your resume and offer feedback.
- Pocket money for bills, books, and meals. You're not going to strike it rich working on campus, but having some extra funds to have fun can take some stress off being a student.
- Meet people. You'll be able to meet faculty and staff who you might not meet otherwise, as well as other students who work on campus. Working in a department outside of my major was a great way to meet other students from different years and parts of the world.
- Working on campus give you a behind-the-scenes look at how colleges operate. My daily responsibilities included picking up the mail, delivering paperwork to different offices, and getting the playbills for theater productions from the printing office. These were all places I wouldn't usually visit. When I applied for graduate school, I found support from the people I met on my work-study rounds.
- Explore other majors and careers. Maybe you're curious about studying something but not ready to commit. Working in the department may help you decide. You will also receive assigned work different from your classroom studies and can attend campus events you usually wouldn't.
- Grow your comfort zone. I was pretty nervous the day I walked into the theater looking for a job and almost didn't go. But, after I worked up the nerve, I walked out with a job that would help me throughout my career.
Campuses are communities, and the goal is your success. Working on campus is a great way to find a place while preparing for whatever comes next. Are you excited to work on campus? For more reading, check out this article from SAGE Scholars about how to make the most of your college experience: 10 Ways to Make the Best of Your College Experience.
Maggie Argiro
Maggie Argiro is a library professional, writer, oral historian, and is TEFL-certified. She currently manages the circulation desk at the South Seattle College library where she is deeply invested in helping all students reach their academic goals.
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