Navigating Student Employment Opportunities at Emory University

For students seeking to offset the cost of education and gain valuable work experience, Emory University offers a variety of student employment opportunities. These positions are available to both students who qualify for Federal Work-Study (FWS) and those who do not. Student employment is the overarching term for any job held by students. Any student at Emory & Henry University that wants to work can work regardless of whether or not they were awarded work study in their financial aid package.

Understanding Financial Aid and Student Employment

Financial aid at Emory includes various options like Federal PLUS loans, available to parents to cover educational costs, with the yearly limit equaling the student’s cost of attendance less any other aid. GRAD PLUS loans are also available to graduate students. Undergraduate students filing FAFSA can borrow a base loan amount annually, either subsidized or unsubsidized based on need. Private student loans exist outside Title IV federal regulations and often require a credit-worthy cosigner.

Based on your FAFSA, you may be offered a Federal Work-Study (FWS) position in your financial aid package. The terminology of “student employment (work study) award” can be a bit misleading. If you are “awarded” student employment in your financial aid package, this simply means that you have the ability to earn up to that amount by working on campus. It is not an automatic amount deducted from your tuition/fees, but an amount that you can earn by working on campus in a student employment opportunity.

Finding Open Positions

Students can explore available jobs through Handshake, Emory's virtual job board managed by the Career Center and Pathways Center. Handshake lists both FWS and non-FWS positions. We suggest that you apply for at least five(5) student employment jobs at one time. Federal Work Study earnings will be deposited into your personal bank account via direct deposit and will not be posted to your student account. The FWS team also hosts a Federal Work-Study Job Fair every August, during which students can learn more about the FWS program and specific opportunities.

Types of Student Employment

Emory offers various student employment options, catering to different interests and skill sets. Here's a glimpse into some of them:

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Based on your FAFSA and your academic program, you may be offered a Federal Work-Study (FWS) position in your financial aid package. Federal Work Study positions earnings are deposited into your personal bank account via direct deposit and will not be posted to your student account.

Oxford Work-Ship

Oxford students not offered Federal Work Study may be eligible for Work-Ship, where faculty members request students for specific jobs. Oxford Work-Ship students must be requested by a faculty member for a specific job. Students can work 10 to 12 hours per week and are paid $15.00-16.00 per hour. Please note you must be 16 years of age to work on campus.

Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL)

The Rollins School of Public Health offers the Rollins Earn and Learn Program (REAL), a signature program providing full-time MPH/MSPH students with applied public health work experiences in real-world settings. REAL offers are made based on information reported on the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, and are included in the student's financial aid package.

Teaching Assistants and Graduate Fellows

Teaching assistantships and graduate fellowships are available within various graduate and professional programs. Payment for these types of positions varies by school. Those interested should inquire with the appropriate academic department.

Student Digital Life (SDL) Employment

Academic Technology Services’ Student Digital Life employs 40 to 50 Emory students each semester and welcomes both work study and non-work study applicants. Successful applicants must be able to work at least 10 hours per week and possess strong interpersonal skills, a desire to learn, and a solid work ethic.

Read also: Guide to UC Davis Student Housing

SDL offers several positions, including:

General Assistance: Providing assistance with graphic design and video/audio editing software (Adobe CC, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, iMovie), provide in-depth consultations, and run workshops. Good knowledge of some of the above applications is expected.
Tech Support: Providing technical support for student-owned devices, including diagnostics, virus removal, and troubleshooting OS and wireless connectivity issues.
Maker Space Assistant: Assist users with available maker tools (3D printers, 3D scanners, laser cutter, die cutter, button makers, soldering irons, CNC machine, sewing machines, etc.), provide in-depth project consultations, design and run workshops, and maintain a clean, welcoming, and functional space.
Lab Assistant: Assist with managing the SDL managed computer labs around campus. Position involves routine maintenance, such as replacing broken keyboards, and maintaining inventory. You will also develop technical skills, such as reimaging a device, and troubleshooting to identify a root cause.

Balancing Work and Academics

The number of hours you work really depends on your schedule, work needs and your student employment/work study award amount, but student employment is designed to offer up to 10 hours of work per week on average, but can fluctuate from week-to-week depending on the need of the employer. The main thing to keep in mind is time management! Being a student athlete is like having a part-time job on top of full-time student responsibilities, so your time is limited, but you can still participate in student employment by managing your time wisely. We suggest that you pursue student employment even when you are in-season, but to communicate with your supervisor that your time will be limited during your in-season semester, but you will be able to work more hours during your out-of-season semester. For example, if you are a fall athlete, plan to apply for student employment opportunities at the beginning of fall and let your employer know that you can work only 2-5 hours a week during fall semester, but will be able to work up to 10 hours a week during spring semester when you are not in-season.

Applying for Positions and Interview Tips

We suggest that you apply for at least five(5) student employment jobs at one time. If an employer asks you to come in for an interview? First, congratulate yourself for receiving an offer to interview! That lets you know that you have the qualities they are seeking in a student employee. Second, prepare for the interview by reading through sample interview questions and think about how you would answer the questions. For example, if the employer asks you, “What are your strengths,” how would you answer this question. Visit the linked Interviewing Guide for sample questions and answers. Also, when you go for the interview, be sure to dress up a bit to show the employer you are truly interested in the position. Dressing up for a student employment job DOES NOT MEAN a suit, but a pair of nice pants and a button-up shirt or blouse can go a long way! DO NOT wear short shorts, pajamas, tank tops, or your athletic gear to the interview.

Important Considerations for Student Employees

Students are paid on a semimonthly basis. Yes. The state of Virginia is an at will state which means an employee can be dismissed by an employer for any reason (that is, without having to establish “just cause” for termination), and without warning. No. Your work-study position is a real job just like any other job. As an employee of the University, you are needed to work the times you are scheduled to work and to complete the tasks you are assigned. If you need time off to study, talk with your supervisor in advance about scheduling time off from your job. Remember, you have made a commitment to be at work at scheduled times.

I do not want to work fall semester, can I wait until spring semester to find a job? Yes, you can wait to work until spring semester, BUT waiting until spring semester will dramatically reduce the number of job opportunities you can apply for. Most students will pursue a student employment job in the fall and will keep it the entire academic year (fall and spring) so where there might be 80+ open jobs in the fall, there might be 10+ open in the spring.

Read also: Investigating the Death at Purdue

You are not required to disclose, unless you would like to request accommodation for a part of the application or interview process or for the job itself. If you need help navigating student employment as a student with a disability, please know there are individuals and resources to help. Visit theJob Accommodation Network (JAN) web site for on-line resources. In addition, Emory & Henry University Human Resources staff members can meet with you to discuss your employment disclosure (or non-disclosure) and accessibility questions. Yes, however RAs may only hold one additional position, not two. Please also know that your time to work outside of the RA position will be limited.

Please work with your supervisor to arrange any time off that may be needed. This is just good work protocol. Let your supervisor know ahead of time that you will need a specific date off to confirm it is convenient. First things first, speak with your supervisor regarding the pieces of your job that you are not enjoying to see if any changes can be made. The worst thing that you can do is just stop showing up. If your concerns revolve around your supervisor then please partner with the student employment staff so that you can explore other options.

Student Employment as a Resume Builder

YES. Student employment is a job and can most definitely be an entry on your resume. Like any job, student employment will provide students the opportunity to utilize and gain skills and abilities and a chance to grow professionally, so it can, and should, be on your resume.

tags: #student #employment #opportunities #Emory #University