Why are campus jobs helpful?
Have you ever thought about working a campus job? We’ve got a couple of students who want to tell you a little about their life as student employees. Student jobs provide students with practical work experience that can complement their academic learning, helping them develop crucial skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork. Student jobs can alleviate financial burdens by providing extra income to cover tuition fees, living expenses, or leisure activities. These jobs offer networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with professionals in your field of interest and potentially secure future career opportunities. Meet the students we interviewed and what they had to say about their campus jobs.
Meet our student workers!
Alex | Student employee in Regionals Academic Advising
What’s your major?
Applied biology
What is your current year in college?
Senior
What motivated you to apply for a student worker position on campus?
When I was at my advising appointment, I saw a sign advertising a student job, I was looking for work at the time and thought I would like it, so I applied.
Can you describe a challenging situation you encountered while working on campus and how you resolved It?
I once had an individual come in and request access to someone’s files. When we checked, the individual asking had no authorization over the files due to FERPA (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.) I handed the situation off to my boss because it was out of my control.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for student worker positions?
Try to find a place that suits your strengths, so if you are good at answering calls and emails, do something administrative or check out the Regionals Office of Student Activities and Orientation (ROSA.) If you have good interaction and teaching skills, you would be a great fit for the Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC.)
Augustine | Student employee at ROSA (Regionals Office of Student Activities and Orientation)
What’s your major?
Criminal justice
What is your current year in college?
Junior
How do you think your role as a student worker contributes to fostering a sense of community or inclusivity on campus?
Working on campus is where I made most of my friends and have met a lot of acquaintances. I’ve found community here.
Have you had any opportunities for professional development or networking through your role as a student worker?
Being a student worker at ROSA put me in a place where many events happened that led me to gain connections and opportunities.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for student worker positions?
Don’t give up, but don’t get upset if you aren’t accepted. Keep exploring other options. It’s a good idea to start hanging out in the space where the job is located to get a sense of how it is.
Emily | Student employee for University Communications and Marketing (UCM)
What’s your major?
Combination Design
What is your current year in college?
Senior
What motivated you to apply for a student worker position on campus?
I wanted to gain experience in my major.
In what ways has your perspective on campus life or the university community evolved since becoming a student worker?
I realized how dedicated Miami is to being inclusive. I was a part of a photo shoot and enjoyed how into the community they were.
Can you describe a challenging situation you encountered while working on campus and how you resolved It?
If I’m having trouble with a project, I feel confident going to my bosses about it because they guide me in the right direction and help me understand what I am doing.
Ambe | Student employee for UCM
What’s your major?
Business Marketing
What is your current year in college?
Senior
How do you manage the demands of athletics, school, and being a student worker?
When planning, my coach emphasizes the importance of scheduling the week ahead and developing consistent habits. Understanding bosses who support me enables me to perform my job confidently.
How do you believe your involvement in athletics contributes to your personal and professional development outside of sports?
I’m more comfortable and confident when I talk to people, like when I do group projects and am in my day-to-day work life. The professional aspect has given me discipline because it gives me the mindset of wanting to get things done on time.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for student worker positions?
Don’t be intimidated; the point of it is to learn and grow in experience and career. Find a way to express who you are. What makes you different from other people is your personality, and find a way to showcase your personality at your job.
Grace | Student employee for Miami University Regionals E-Campus
What’s your major?
Applied Biology
What is your current year in college?
First Year
How do you balance your academic responsibilities with your work schedule?
I take one night out of the month to sit down, look at my planner for the coming month, and write down my work schedule. Then, I write down my homework assignments in a different color every week. I also set goals with time management regarding my schedule.
Can you describe a challenging situation you encountered while working on campus and how you resolved It?
One difficult situation I experienced was when I encountered technical issues and was unsure how to complete the project on time. I effectively communicated with my boss, got help with the technical issues from the IT department, and successfully finished the project.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for student worker positions?
Suppose you’re going back and forth in deciding whether to apply for a position. In that case, you should apply because it is an excellent opportunity to get real-world experience with a diverse community.
Top student tips for finding campus jobs
- Apply to several jobs that interest you.
- Rejection from applying for a job can be disheartening; it does not reflect your worth.
- Immerse yourself in the environment where the job is located. You’ll gain insights into the group dynamics and learn about potential opportunities in the future.
- A simple resume boosts your professionalism and helps to showcase your skills—there are dozens of free templates online.
- Don’t give up. Keep applying!
How do I find student jobs at Miami University?
Visit Jobs.MiamiOH.edu to view open job positions around the Miami University campus community.
How to filter for student employee jobs:
- Locate the column on the left side of your screen titled “Job filters.”
- Under Work type, check the box for “student.”
- Check all other relevant criteria such as Part/full time, campus location, and different categories that interest you.
- Browse through the jobs and click on a position that suits you best!
Is a campus job worth it?
Yes—you’re more likely to achieve your goals and graduate through the support and accountability you will gain from a campus job. Five students from various departments shared their experiences, and more opportunities exist. You’ll gain the soft skills that job recruiters are searching for. According to Wikipedia, soft skills are “personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively.” Some examples include communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and teamwork. Check out the Handshake blog for more examples and ways to demonstrate soft skills on your resume or in an interview. Student jobs offer more than just a source of income; they provide invaluable opportunities to become part of a vibrant and supportive community. You’ll find your place within the campus community with determination and an open mind.
Miami University Regionals E-Campus thanks and acknowledges all of our volunteer student interviewees and Grace Osterberger for conducting the interviews and compiling the content of this blog. Grace is a first-year student studying Applied Biology. She plans to further her career as a safety manager upon completing her degree.
