Exploring Student Employment Opportunities at NC State University
NC State University provides a multitude of on-campus employment opportunities for students, both paid and unpaid, designed to enhance their academic experience, provide financial assistance, and foster professional development. These opportunities span various departments and roles, catering to a diverse range of student interests and skill sets. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these opportunities, focusing particularly on those within Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), Federal Work-Study programs, and guidelines for international students.
Paid Student Employment Opportunities within Multicultural Student Affairs
Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) offers a range of paid student employment opportunities that provide invaluable experience and contribute to student success and a sense of belonging. These positions allow students to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting, develop professional skills, and support the MSA's mission.
Graduate Programming Coordinator
The Graduate Programming Coordinator serves in a professional in-practice role, translating theory to practice. This role involves applying academic, research, and curricular experiences to the co-curricular environment of the student success unit within Multicultural Student Affairs. The graduate student in this position plays a key role in supporting the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that enhance student success and foster a sense of belonging. This position also involves collaboration, student engagement, and assessment efforts that align with the Center’s goals and the graduate student’s learning outcomes. Specific responsibilities may vary based on the Center’s needs.
Symposium for Multicultural Scholars Mentor
The Symposium for Multicultural Scholars is a culturally affirming educational and transitional experience centering on and exploring the experiences of incoming undergraduate first-year and transfer students, as well as first-generation college students from all backgrounds at NC State. The peer mentoring relationship is designed to aid in the academic, emotional, and socio-cultural adjustment to college life for mentees. Peer Mentors serve as peer support personnel for mentees and share program goals and responsibilities to ensure student participant retention at NC State. Applications for the Fall 2026 Symposium for Multicultural Scholars Mentor opened on December 1, 2025, and closed at 5pm EST on January 16, 2026. Informational sessions were held on January 13 and 14, 2026.
Student Program Assistant
Student Program Assistants are essential in Multicultural Student Affairs. They provide support for the office staff, participate in training and development opportunities, assist with tabling and outreach events, help develop and administer assessment processes, and attend regular staff meetings just to name a few. The application for the Student Program Assistant position opened on January 12, 2026, and closed on January 30, 2026. Informational sessions were held on January 15 and 16, 2026. Candidates were notified if selected to interview on February 2, 2026, and interviews were held from February 17 through February 19, 2026.
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Summer Graduate Programming Intern
The Summer Graduate Programming Intern plays a vital role in supporting summer programming initiatives, student engagement, and curriculum development for leadership and professional development programs. The intern will work closely with staff and students to enhance the summer experience through event planning, mentorship, and community-building efforts. Priority applications closed on March 1st, 2025, at 5:00pm EST.
Summer Student Program Assistant
Summer Student Program Assistants are essential in Multicultural Student Affairs. They provide support for the office staff, participate in training and development opportunities, assist with tabling and outreach events, help develop and administer assessment processes, and attend regular staff meetings just to name a few. Applications are closed.
Unpaid Student Employment Opportunities within Multicultural Student Affairs
In addition to paid positions, Multicultural Student Affairs also offers unpaid student employment opportunities, including the Student Intern program.
Student Intern Program
In previous years, Multicultural Student Affairs has hosted both undergraduate and graduate student interns who contribute to the operations of the department. Some of the previous internship opportunities we have been able to provide to students are in form of placements for both Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work students. Interns have the opportunity to co-facilitate different workshops and presentations, engage in tabling and outreach opportunities to represent Multicultural Student Affairs, attend 1:1s with their immediate MSA Supervisor, and engage in assessment and evaluation processes for different programs and initiatives in the department. Interns also gain professional development skills such as public speaking, program planning, assessment and evaluation, critical thinking skills, conflict management, and crisis management. Additional benefits include opportunities to attend professional development conferences and to network and collaborate with different MSA campus partners.
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to work part-time through the University and gain valuable work experience. Earnings from Work-Study positions are paid directly to the student every two weeks rather than being applied to charges on the student account.
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Eligibility and Application
In order to qualify for work-study, students must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on the results of the financial aid application, students who qualify will receive a financial aid offer that will include Federal Work-Study. If a student did not receive work-study and would like to inquire about potential eligibility, they should contact their financial aid counselor.
Job Postings and Hiring Process
Work-Study Job postings are advertised through MyPack Portal. Students should select any five to ten positions that interest them and contact the hiring departments using the information shown in the job posting. The hiring department will schedule an interview if they are interested in meeting the student. They will address job duties, expectations, and work schedules directly. If a student doesn’t hear back from them, they should find another five or so positions and start the process over again. Once hired, students may be asked to complete paperwork including an electronic Voucher to Hire Form and an I-9 Employment Form. To electronically sign the required voucher, log into MyPack Portal and navigate to the Student Homepage.
Work Regulations and Payment
Work is allowed during breaks within each term AND in between the fall and spring semesters. If a student qualifies for Work-Study and a department would like to create a position for them, they can. In order to receive earnings, students must use the WolfTime system to clock in/out each time they work. Their supervisor will approve their entries. Your supervisor can assist you in accessing WolfTime. Earnings from Work-Study positions are paid directly to the student every two weeks rather than being applied to charges on the student account. Students may only work one work-study position per term.
On-Campus Employment for International Students
International students at NC State University have specific regulations and guidelines to follow regarding on-campus employment. It is crucial for international students to understand these rules to maintain their visa status.
General Regulations
On-campus employment is defined as physically on the campus of NC State University and paid through the NC State University Payroll office. Once hired, international students need to contact International Compensation and Taxation to complete a tax assessment. A tax assessment is a requirement of their employment and must be completed prior to receiving their first paycheck.
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F-1 and J-1 students by regulation are limited to 20 hours/week of on-campus employment during the semester. This is a regulatory limit. F-1 students do not need any written authorization from OIS to engage in casual part-time (not to exceed 20 hours per week) employment on campus when it is “incidental” to their status and they are maintaining their lawful F-1 status. F-1 and J-1 students are considered to be working 20 hours a week on campus if they hold a half time teaching/research assistantship. Additional appointments, supplemental pay, or additional pay for hours worked beyond the 20 hour per week maximum will violate a student’s immigration status.
On-campus employment can be full-time (greater than 20 hours per week) during Summer for students who plan to enroll for the fall semester and as long as the employment begins after the graduation date for the spring semester and ends prior to the first day of classes for the fall semester. University human resource policies external to OIS may limit student employment to 29 hours per week, even during periods when full-time employment is permitted. Employment may not result in a delay of program completion (with a need to request a program extension), loss of good academic standing, loss of full-time enrollment, etc.
J-1 Student Specifics
J-1 students DO need specific written employment authorization from their J-1 program sponsor. Students whose program sponsor is OIS can easily request employment authorization in one year increments by submitting the J-1 Student Employment Authorization Request Form. J-1 students must apply for authorization for on-campus work prior to starting employment, no matter if the work is during the academic year or over the summer semester.
Important Reminders
Student visa regulations interpret any employment that exceeds 20 hours per week to be full-time. Be sure to monitor your work hours to ensure that you do not exceed the 20 hour per week work limit, unless you are in a vacation term. No one can authorize you to work more than 20 hours per week on campus during a semester.
Equal Opportunity Employer
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply.
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