On-campus jobs provide students with flexibility

The search for part-time jobs while attending college full-time can be challenging. Between complicated class schedules and the need for study time, available hours are often limited, and jobs that will work around this issue are few and far between.

Here at UHCL, students have found the answer to their problems through a variety of jobs offered here on campus. From bookstore cashiers to teacher’s assistants, there are many different types of jobs to accommodate students and their need for an income while also working on their education.

Deepthi Kukkala, computer science major, works at the front desk for the computer labs in the Student Services and Classroom Building. She works four days a week and has been employed since August 2015. Kukkula says she would definitely recommend the job to other students.

“The pay is good,” Kukkula said. “I can accommodate housing and monthly expenses. My hours go accordingly to my classes.”

Lilian Nguyen, counseling major, agrees with Kukkula. She has been employed at the UHCL library since September 2014. She says the pay is decent, and she too would recommend her job to other students.

“They look at my classes and whatever time I say I’m available, then they work with that,” Nguyen said. “The hours are very flexible with on-campus jobs.”

International students are prohibited from working at off-campus job sites. Their only option as a college student in the U.S. is to find a job on campus.

Harsh Naik, business and healthcare administration graduate student, has worked in the Bayou open computer lab since January 2015. He also works four days a week and says the pay is good.

“I’m an international student, so I can only work on campus,” Naik said.

Although Naik is obligated to find work on campus, he said he likes his job and would recommend it to other students.

UHCL offers various types of jobs on campus. Some students try to work in a department that relates to their major to gain work experience within their field. Other students find on-campus jobs desirable because of the convenience. Considering most of their time is already spent at the school, the proximity and flexibility of on-campus jobs tends to fit in better with the students’ schedule.

Chuck Crocker, director of career services, offers the following advice:

• There are two types of on-campus student jobs: Federal Work-Study, which is handled by the Financial Aid Office; and Non-Work Study on-campus jobs, which are advertised on the Career Services website.
• Follow application instructions.  The Non-Work Study on-campus jobs that are posted on the Career Services website have a clear set of instructions, and to be considered, one needs to adhere to the process laid out.
• Demonstrate leadership in class as well as in student organizations. Faculty and staff take notice of students who are leaders both in the classroom and outside of the classroom.  For instance, a teaching assistant has to lead labs outside of class, so demonstrating leadership is a sign to faculty of a positive TA candidate.
• Volunteer on campus.  Staff in the various departments that hire students can see a student’s work ethic and interpersonal skills by watching a student who volunteers at an event that they are holding.  And they may find out about future student jobs before they are posted.
• Prepare an effective resume and work on interview skills in advance of a possible interview. Career Services can help with that.
• Successful classroom performance: many jobs on campus require a 3.0 GPA or above, and, for TA positions, faculty wants to know that you can adequately tutor and assist other students academically.

All campus job openings are posted through the Office of Career and Counseling Services.

For more information regarding job openings or to apply for an on-campus job, visit the Career Services website.