9 reasons to work on campus as a college student
9 reasons to work on campus as a college student
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series about student resources that are available on UNI campus. Check Inside UNI for more resource highlights in the future!
If you’re in college, you might be weighing your options for working as a student and figuring out if an on- or off-campus job is best for your needs. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, but whether you choose to become a desk assistant, a dining employee, a tutor or something else entirely, there are many good reasons to work on campus in college.
Why should I get a job on campus?
1. It’s convenient and flexible!
“Being able to work between classes and choose hours that fit my schedule has made balancing work, school and my other commitments much easier,” said Meghan Rosheim, who works as a Maucker Union student supervisor at the University of Northern Iowa. UNI understands that you are first and foremost a student and will create a schedule that works for you. Maybe that means you work just a couple of hours in between classes or longer hours on the days you aren’t in class as much.
If you live on campus, you also won’t have to commute to work. That means you save on gas and get to sleep in longer if you work in the morning.
2. You’ll make friends
“I have built many relationships with not only staff and faculty members, but also other students,” said Addie Long, who works multiple on-campus jobs at UNI. “I think one of the best things to come from working on campus is getting to connect with so many new people, some of which are now my best friends and people I know I can depend on in times of need.”
When you work on campus, the majority of your coworkers will be other students who are in the same phase of life as you are. This makes it a great way to make friends! You’ll get used to seeing some familiar faces each day. At first, you might mostly talk about work and school, but soon those relationships will build, and some may last a lifetime.
3. It helps you gain independence
Working on campus is a chance to earn money that can go toward your tuition, housing, textbooks, food, transportation and other expenses. This will also help you practice budgeting, which is a valuable skill. There are so many “adulting” skills that come with working a steady job.
4. You’ll learn the art of balance
College is a time of opportunity. You’ll get the chance to learn, be involved in student organizations, work and hang out with friends. While it’s important to not stretch yourself too thin, this is great training for life after graduation when you will have lots of responsibilities to balance. Working on campus while you’re in school helps you learn time management and how to juggle multiple commitments.
5. It expands your support network
“I have gained not only professional connections with the UNI staff but have found an environment where I feel supported and celebrated as a student,” said Adelyn Sittig who works as a peer advisor in UNI’s Office of Academic Advising. “It has been made clear to me by the UNI staff that they are excited to work with students and are dedicated to creating an environment that is accepting, flexible and safe.”
College is full of ups and downs. Sometimes you will find yourself pouring into others, and sometimes you will need a community to pour into you. Working on campus is just one more way you’ll build your community. From older adults who can offer advice that’s backed by years of experience to peers who you can vent to about homework, on-campus employment brings you more people who can provide the support you need.
6. You’ll get references
References are so important when you start applying for internships and jobs. Your on-campus supervisor can speak to your dependability, work ethic and your abilities to work with others, communicate and learn on the job. And if you keep the same on-campus job throughout your time at college, they will be able to speak to this for a long period of time.
7. It will prepare you for the real world
“My growth in leadership, communication, problem-solving skills and confidence will actively contribute to my success post-graduation,” said Charlee Kay Steinke, who works as an event management team assistant at Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Work experience shows future employers you have experience building the skills that will make you successful in a full-time role. It helps show you can show up on time, work with others, follow an employer’s standards and be consistent. All of these are soft skills you’re building when you work on campus.
Because college is a place to acquire new knowledge, your on-campus job will create an environment where you’re able to learn on the job without judgment. As Owen Steinke who also works at the center puts it, "I have gained a ton of knowledge from being an on-campus student employee, from improving little things to learning entirely new things. An on-campus job, in my experience, gives you an opportunity to make mistakes on the job and have them be treated as learning moments. The leeway offered allows a student to learn and grow and understand what is needed from them in future job opportunities."
8. You might learn about your future career
Sometimes your work on campus also directly relates to your career path. That’s the case for Karime Sanchez, a communication and interactive digital studies major who works as a public relations intern for Rod Library on UNI campus. “The biggest benefit for me has been the hands-on experience in my field, which enhances my learning in classes while also allowing me to contribute to the campus community,” she said.
9. You stay in the loop
Working on campus is also a great way to find out about fun things that are happening around your university. On an active campus, it can be hard to keep up with all the activities and events. But working on campus gives you additional ways to stay in the loop, whether that’s by reading the table tents while you clean tables, getting emails from your boss to inform you of on-campus events or simply talking to different people on campus.
Browse on-campus job opportunities
If you’re excited about all the things you can gain from working on campus, now is the time to apply. Whether you’re a first-year student or a senior, you’ll experience these benefits and more. Last year, UNI employed about 2,200 students across more than 130 departments.
Now you’re probably asking how to find the on-campus job opportunity that’s right for you. One of the easiest ways to apply to on-campus jobs at the University of Northern Iowa is on the UNI Job Board in partnership with Handshake. New opportunities are always being added!
