Navigating Student Employment at Cornell University: A Comprehensive Guide

Cornell University provides numerous opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience while financing their education. This guide offers a detailed overview of student employment at Cornell, covering various aspects from finding a job to understanding employment policies and resources.

Why Work as a Student at Cornell?

Cornell University has long supported student employment, recognizing its benefits beyond financial aid. By working part-time, students not only contribute to covering their educational costs but also acquire significant skills and experience. Student jobs are vital to the campus community, offering invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benefits of Student Employment

Financial Assistance: Earning money to help cover educational expenses.
Skill Development: Gaining practical experience and enhancing skills relevant to future careers.
Campus Community Engagement: Becoming an integral part of the university community.
Time Management: Balancing academic and work responsibilities.

Types of Student Employment Opportunities

Cornell University offers a diverse range of student employment opportunities across various departments and units. These opportunities cater to different interests and skill sets.

Academic Support Roles

Graders: Responsible for grading course homework, in-class work, and other assignments as determined by the instructor. Graders must have previously taken the course and received strong marks (A- to A+).
Course Support: Involves general administrative tasks, including Canvas support and attendance tracking. Students in these roles may be required to attend class meetings. Note that students in course support or grader roles must be located in the United States during the semester.

Student and Campus Life (SCL) Employment

SCL employs hundreds of students in various on-campus jobs each year. These include:

The Cornell Store: Positions such as Student Hiring Assistant and Sale Associate.
Cornell Dining and Catering: Opportunities in various eateries, offering free meals, competitive pay, and a social work environment.
Residential Life: Resident Advisor positions in residential communities.
Conference & Event Services: Assisting with event management and logistics.
Campus Life Marketing & Communications: Promoting campus resources and events.
Cornell Fitness Centers (CFC): Roles as fitness instructors and monitors, with free memberships for CFC staff. Opportunities include Fitness Monitor, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Intramural Sports official, and Lifeguard.
Tatkon Center for New Students: Helping new students adjust to university life.
Centers within the Office of the Dean of Students: Roles in program planning, outreach, publicity, advocacy, and mentoring.
Campus Activities Group: Various positions supporting campus events and activities.

Community Work-Study Program

Sponsored by Cornell's David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement, this program enables Federal Work-Study students to work for nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities in the Ithaca and Tompkins County region. Opportunities span various fields, including:

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Arts
After-school and classroom settings
Sustainability and environmental programs
Health services
Legal services
Information technology
Public works and engineering departments
Women's and children’s advocacy
Animal care

Finding and Applying for Jobs

All campus jobs are listed on the Workday platform.

Steps to Find a Job

Log in to Workday: Use your NetID and password to access Workday.
Search for Jobs: In the search field at the top of the page, type "Find Jobs - student."
Browse Job Postings: Review the current job postings and apply for positions that match your interests and qualifications.

Key Information in Job Postings

Federal Work-Study Eligibility: Indicates whether the position is eligible for Federal Work-Study funding.
Pay Range: The hourly wage rate for the position.
Start and End Dates: The employment period for the position.
Weekly Hours: The expected number of hours per week.

Timing of Hiring

Most units hire in the spring or summer for fall openings, although some units may be hiring year-round.

Eligibility for Work-Study

Work-study is a need-based financial aid program that enables eligible students to work part-time to meet a portion of their educational costs.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Eligibility: U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens with demonstrated need based on the FAFSA form may be eligible for Federal Work-Study.
Funding: Limited funding is available, so not all eligible students may receive a federal work-study offer.
Wage Contribution: The federal work-study program covers 50 percent of the hourly wage for FWS-eligible positions.
Employer Preference: Many Cornell student employers prefer federal work-study eligible student employees.
Standard Work Expectation: $5,000 per academic year, funded by Cornell and FWS.

Non-Work-Study Opportunities

Cornell has an abundance of student opportunities available to all students-with or without federal Work-Study funding.

Work Authorization for International Students

F-1 Students: Do not need special authorization to work on campus.
J-1 Students: Must obtain a J-1 student on-campus employment authorization letter from International Services before starting work. Authorization is given for 12 months at a time and must be renewed annually.

Onboarding Process

Onboarding is the process through which you are hired and learn how to perform the duties of your new job.

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Steps After Receiving a Job Offer

Review the Job Offer: Carefully review the pay rate, hour/schedule expectations, and employment period. Contact the hiring manager with any questions before accepting the position.
Complete Required Items: After accepting the position, complete all required onboarding tasks before starting work.

Important Dates and Calendars

Academic Calendar: Important for balancing academic and job responsibilities.
Pay Calendars: Provides information on pay dates and deadlines.

Key Policies and Expectations

As a student employee at Cornell, it's crucial to understand the policies and expectations that govern your employment. These guidelines ensure a productive and respectful work environment.

General Expectations

Work Schedule: Establish a work schedule that does not interfere with your class schedule.
Communication: Notify your supervisor in advance of any changes to your work schedule or other commitments that will affect work availability.
Attendance: Give advance notice when unable to work a scheduled shift and report to work on time. Notify your supervisor in advance of any possible delays.
Professionalism: Take the job seriously, perform at the highest level of your ability, and treat your supervisor and fellow employees with respect.
Personal Conduct: Do not conduct personal business on the job and refrain from using cell phones while on the job.

Time Reporting

Accuracy: Accurately report the hours you work. Falsifying your timesheet is a federal offense. If you make an error in entering your hours worked, let your supervisor know so the error can be corrected.
Breaks: If you worked straight for 6 hours or more on any given day, include a 30-minute meal/rest break on your timecard.
Timeliness: Ensure you record your time worked accurately and submit your timesheet in a timely manner. Log your hours at the end of each and every day you work.
Hours limitations: The hours you were hired for does not mean you should be submitting the full hours each week if you’re not actually working the full hours.

Resignation

Notice: Give two weeks’ notice when resigning.

Immigration Regulations

On-Campus Work Restriction: As an F-1 or J-1 student, your paid work in the United States is restricted by law. While you are registered, you are limited to on-campus work done for Cornell and paid for by the university.
Work Hours: If you are a registered student, you may work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session. Exactly 20 hours is the maximum weekly time you can work.
Full-Time Work: During summer and winter breaks, if you are not registered for classes, you may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (up to 20 hours per week).
Work Authorization Expiration: Your on-campus work authorization is valid as long as you maintain F-1 or J-1 student status. When you complete your final semester in your program, take a leave of absence, or your I-20 or DS-2019 form expires, you are no longer automatically eligible to work on campus.

Consequences of Violating Work Regulations

Working Over 20 Hours: If you work over 20 hours a week at any time while you are a registered student and classes are in session, it is a serious violation of your immigration status. If you think you may have worked over 20 hours in a week-even one time-speak to an immigration advisor at International Services immediately.

Required Forms and Documents

Several forms and documents are required to ensure compliance with legal and university policies.

I-9 Form

Purpose: To verify the identity and employment authorization of each new employee (both citizen and noncitizen) hired to work in the United States.
Completion: You need to fill out an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form with your hiring department after you are hired but before you start work.
Previous I-9: If you have been hired to work at Cornell University within the past three years and previously filled out an I-9, you will not need to complete a new I-9 each year. Your name and address will auto-populate and you are required to verify your address.
International Students: International Students MUST use one of the following: original passport, paper I-20/DS-2019, and I-94. Passport or, if applicable, your Permanent Residence Card.
Ithaca-based Students: If you are an Ithaca-based student, you will need to schedule a meeting with an Ithaca-based staff member. Ensure that the documents you indicated in Section One are the same documents you are presenting your reviewer to authenticate. International Students must bring their passport, endorsed I-20/DS-29 and a printout of the I-94 form.
Assistance: Your hiring department will help you fill out the I-9.

Social Security Number (SSN)

Requirement: To work in the United States, you will need a Social Security number (SSN).
Application: If you are an international student, you must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if you do not have one already.
Application Process:
1. Obtain a letter from Student & Academic Affairs. Student & Academic Affairs will process your letter request and it will take us up to 5 business days to process your request.
2. Once you receive your request letter, you can use the letter to apply for an SSN. Gather your Docs (Please note OGL lists to get a letter from OGL & a Hiring Dept.
3. Go to the Social Security Office, if you are located at Cornell Tech, the local office is 3RD FLOOR, 123 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10038.
Workday Task: Until you are able to obtain a SSN, you will have an open task in your Workday inbox related to submitting your SSN in the system.

Direct Deposit

Enrollment: Enrolling in direct deposit is managed through Workday.
Payment Schedule: You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis on the Thursday of the week after your timecard submission. See the “Nonexempt Biweekly Calendar” at Payroll Calendar (login required) for the exact dates.

Resources and Support

Cornell University provides numerous resources and support systems to ensure a positive student employment experience.

Student Employment Resources

University Student Employment Policies: Provides comprehensive information on university policies related to student employment.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Outlines the rights and responsibilities of student employees.
Student Employment FAQs: Answers frequently asked questions about student employment.
Workplace Concerns: Encourages student employees and employers to discuss any work-related problems before commencing disciplinary action or a formal grievance.
Office of the University Ombudsman: Available to assist both employees and employers in resolving work-related problems.

Health and Wellness Resources

Student & Campus Life: Inspires and supports students towards the development of their best selves-in mind, body and spirit-and promotes their resilience and continued growth.
Time and Stress Management Resources: Provides resources for managing time and stress effectively.

Career Services

Cornell Career Services: Offers help with career exploration, resumes, graduate and professional school advising, legal careers, internship and full-time job searches, fellowships, and more.
Career Development Toolkit and Handshake: Valuable resources to explore and move towards your professional goals.

Workday Resources

Workday Platform: Access your timecard, payslips, tax withholdings, and direct deposit. Workday access is not immediate, and depending on the time of will need a few days to process your appointment.
University Guide: The University has a step by step guide on how to enter your time on Workday.
How to use WorkDay to Enter Hours Worked
How to use a Time Clock

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