Being a college student while trying to get a job can be overwhelming. However, finding a job on campus can be easier than you might think. “You’re already here for classes, so why not have both your job and classes in one location?” said Kanani Martinez, the coordinator of the student recruitment team in charge of leading on-campus tours for prospective students and their parents.
Jobs on campus provide students with flexibility
Being a college student while trying to get a job can be overwhelming. However, finding a job on campus can be easier than you might think.
“You’re already here for classes, so why not have both your job and classes in one location?” said Kanani Martinez, the coordinator of the student recruitment team in charge of leading on-campus tours for prospective students and their parents.
With so many job opportunities on campus in various departments, there is always an opportunity for students to work in their field of study, said Nicholas Running, a Portland State graduate student and chair of the student employment committee.
“If you are going to medical school, you could look into working at [the Center for Student Health and Counseling],” Running said. These days, simply having a college degree and no work experience won’t cut it, he added.
Other examples of on-campus work include positions at the Office of Information Technology, the Branford P. Millar Library and the cashier services window in Neuberger Hall. More interesting positions might include working at the Academic and Student Rec Center or as a PSU student ambassador.
“On-campus jobs tend to be more flexible,” said Greg Flores, the associate director of career counseling.
Another benefit of working on campus is that students are engaged in their community, Flores said.
“There are huge networking opportunities through working on campus…[and] there is a greater sense of pride in your campus,” Martinez said.
Running pointed out that by working on campus, especially in a department that relates to students’ career interests, students can hopefully find a mentor.
PSU student Nicholas Keahi Ho, a senior studying community development, began working under Martinez at the Office of Admissions doing student recruitment in December of 2011. Beyond enjoying his time at work, Ho said the job has provided him with opportunities he could not have expected.
“Many of my opportunities to do internships outside of PSU stem from this position,” said Ho, who plans to complete an internship with Nike this summer.
Kate Johnson, a junior at PSU and a student recruitment team member, said she recommends working on campus.
“It’s a good fit,” she said.
For students feeling a bit wary about applying for an on-campus job or concerned about where to start, there are several resources available, Flores explained.
One of the most useful is PSU’s online on-campus job database that lists many available openings. The majority of the jobs available on this database are office jobs. However, it is important to remember that not all job openings are listed.
Also valuable is PSU’s Career and Advising Center, which provides help with cover letters, resumes, interviews and other career-related questions.
If there is a job on campus that you want but don’t see on the database, however, don’t be afraid to go up to the employee working there and ask how he got his job, Flores suggested.
