Navigating Job Opportunities at Governors State University

Governors State University (GSU) offers a variety of job opportunities for students, recent graduates, adjunct faculty, and professionals. The university is committed to providing accessible and affordable education and values its faculty and staff. GSU strives to be an “island of excellence” by providing unequaled educational opportunities to the region’s diverse population.

Career Services and Resources

The Career Services Office at Governors State University is dedicated to helping students navigate their career paths from the moment they enroll. Their mission is to guide students toward professional and personal fulfillment by helping them identify their interests and talents, which can then be translated into academic majors and lifelong pursuits. Career counselors partner with students to explore career options and develop essential skills.

Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake)

The primary platform for finding jobs and internships at GSU is Jobs for Jaguars, powered by Handshake. This online system allows students and recent grads to explore career options, find jobs and internships, and connect with employers.

Key features of Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake):

Job and Internship Listings: A comprehensive database of on-campus and off-campus job opportunities.
Employer Connections: Opportunities to connect with employers actively seeking GSU students and graduates.
Profile Building: Students can create profiles highlighting their skills and experience to attract potential employers.
Resume Upload: Students can upload their resumes for easy access by employers.

To access Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake):

Log on to Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake) to update your profile and download your resume.
On the home page, click on “Jobs" and then filter with "on-campus" to view available student employment opportunities.
Follow the instructions for that specific job description and send the required documents to the contact person listed.
Wait for an interview to be extended from the hiring manager.
Upon hire, complete your hiring paperwork.

Additional Resources

GSU also provides access to other valuable resources to aid in career exploration and preparation:

O*NET Online: A tool for exploring career options and learning more about different occupations.
What Can I Do With This Major?: A resource that helps students explore career paths related to their academic majors.
Kaplan Test Prep Courses: Through a partnership with Kaplan, GSU offers free access to test preparation resources. Students can visit go.kaplan.com/illinois for a complete list of available courses, registration details, FAQs, and guidance.

Student Employment Opportunities

Governors State University offers various employment opportunities for students, including Federal Work-Study (FWS) positions and regular student employment.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study program provides financial assistance to eligible students, enabling them to work part-time while pursuing their education.

Key aspects of FWS at GSU:

Eligibility: Students must complete a FAFSA form and indicate their interest in participating in the FWS program.
Job Search: Students are responsible for finding their own FWS jobs on campus.
Job Listings: All on-campus student employment jobs are posted on the Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake) site.
Pay Rates: FWS positions pay at least minimum wage, with the possibility of higher rates depending on the position and skills required.
Award Letter: If offered FWS funds, students must accept the award on the GovState Self-Service platform and provide a copy of their award letter to the hiring manager during the interview.

How to apply for Federal Work-Study (FWS) Positions:

Complete a FASFA Financial Aid form, designating that you wanted to participate in the Federal Work Study Program.
If you are awarded Federal Work Study funds, you will receive an award letter which will be available on the MyGSU Portal.
Visit Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake) to complete a profile and search for available positions.
Once you find a position you would like to apply for, follow the instructions for that specific job description and send the required documents to the contact person listed.
Wait for an interview to be extended from the hiring manager.

Regular Student Employment

Regular student employment positions are available to all students, regardless of FWS eligibility. These jobs are also posted on the Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake) site.

How to apply for Regular Student Employment positions:

Visit Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake) to complete a profile and search for available positions.
Once you find a position you would like to apply for, follow the instructions for that specific job description and send the required documents to the contact person listed.
Wait for an interview to be extended from the hiring manager.

Graduate Assistantships (GAs)

Graduate Assistantships offer graduate students the opportunity to work on campus and gain valuable experience while funding their education.

Key aspects of GAs at GSU:

Eligibility: Typically, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester. International students (F and J visas) must be enrolled as a full-time student: 9 credit hours for Master’s students; 6 credit hours for Doctoral students.
Work Hours: GAs work on campus between 15-20 hours per week.
Compensation: GAs receive a monthly stipend and a tuition waiver.
Appointment: GAs are appointed each semester and renewable based on maintaining academic eligibility and employment performance standards.

How to apply for Graduate Assistantship (GA) Positions:

Log on to Jobs for Jaguars to update your profile and download your resume.
On the home page, Click on “Jobs" and then click on “Internships/Graduate Assistantships” to view available openings.
Complete a Graduate Assistant/Tuition Waiver Application for each graduate assistant position of interest.
Submit completed application to the hiring manager for each position of interest.
Wait for an interview to be extended from the hiring manager.
Upon hire, complete your hiring paperwork.

Adjunct Faculty Positions

Governors State University’s College of Arts and Letters seeks to create an available pool of Adjunct faculty candidates to teach courses in our Division of Arts and Letters. Adjuncts are hired on a course basis each term. The salary range for Adjuncts teaching in this academic area is $500.00 - $3,750.00 per course. Courses taught by adjunct faculty in the above programs are for undergraduates, graduates, or a combination of both.

Read also: Your WGU Journey: Login & Help

Off-Campus Opportunities

In addition to on-campus employment, students can find off-campus job listings on the Jobs for Jaguars Database system. The Office of Career Services hosts an annual Job Fair in April, where employers and students can meet and discuss potential job opportunities.

Applying for Job Vacancies

To apply for job vacancies at Governors State University, visit the official website and navigate to the careers section.

General Steps for Applying:

Log on to Jobs for Jaguars (Handshake) to update your profile and download your resume.
On the home page, click on “Jobs" and then filter with "on-campus" to view available student employment opportunities.
Once you find a position you would like to apply for, follow the instructions for that specific job description and send the required documents to the contact person listed.
The Office of Career Services does not review applications or schedule appointments for open positions.
Wait for an interview to be extended from the hiring manager.
Upon hire, complete your hiring paperwork.

Governors State University: An Overview

Governors State University is a regional, public, comprehensive university serving approximately 7,750 students. Established in 1969, GSU is committed to excellence, access, and innovation, providing affordable undergraduate and graduate education to a diverse student body. The university is located in University Park, Illinois, on a scenic 760-acre campus.

GSU emphasizes academic quality, convenient class times, and outstanding educational value. The university is dedicated to securing and maintaining academic accreditation for its programs and aims to be a national leader in community college transfer programs.

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