Want a job that works around your schedule? The answer may be on the way to your next class.
Sound too good to be true? That’s exactly what sophomore Elizabeth Bartlow found through the Baker University work-study program. She spends four hours twice a week at Baldwin Junior High School.
“I figured they would be a little more flexible and not as stringent because I am on the dance team and have other activities,” Bartlow said.
She makes copies, runs errands and does office work, but as an education major, this work-study position at a school is better than the average secretarial job.
“They’re very kind and very friendly and excited to have me there, and they’re already talking about how they could give me connections for when I get ready to student teach or get a job,” she said.
The number of work-study jobs varies from year to year, with there being about 240 jobs last year, Lana Richards, Perkins Loan and student accounts collections, said. The number of jobs this year has not been finalized yet. Director of Financial Aid Jeanne Mott said that since each department is given an allocation of hours that they can divide between as many positions as they see fit, the number of total positions fluctuates each year. There are 45,608 work-study hours available for this academic year, with admissions acquiring the most.
Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and are awarded federally funded work are given first priority on jobs, Mott said.
“If it’s a skilled position like the newspaper, the supervisor checks with the financial aid department to be sure a work award can be added,” Mott said. “A work award cannot be added if they have reached their financial aid total.”
After Monday, students who did not have work on their award letter are then considered for positions. Students interested in acquiring a work-study position should go by the financial aid office to check the list of vacant positions and then contact the supervisor to set up an interview. If a job isn’t available this semester, there is always a chance it will be available later.
"We especially have a lot open up at the semester," Mott said. "January is very active because we have people who are leaving, and we need to fill positions."<br/>Different departments will be looking for different qualities in prospective student employees.Different departments will be looking for different qualities in prospective student employees.
Different departments will be looking for different qualities in prospective student employees.
When Lisa Johnston, assistant dean for Student Academic Services, looks for students, she values attention to detail and the ability to multitask.
“The work we have some of our student workers performing is administrative in nature and office work,” she said. “We’re looking for an appropriate level of independence, enthusiasm taking on smaller projects or are comfortable when other folks are out of the office being the frontline person that greets people.”
For Johnston, student employees are vital for the running of her department because several student tutors supplement two faculty members.
“I think that student work on campus is an invaluable resource,” Johnston said. “Not only do we have the folk that perform the basic office support, which we absolutely need, we also have the tutoring staff. It’s really clear that students make a really significant contribution in any of the campus’ departments.”
While the student’s contributions may be significant, the pay is not.
Work-study positions are paid the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour, which is an increase from last year, and 80 cents less than next year’s planned minimum wage, which will take effect July 24, 2009.
“The minimum wage effects the total number of hours that can be allocated,” Mott said.”The increase has to be absorbed into the budget.”
The wage increase is a good thing for Bartlow, who also works at the Lawrence Hy-Vee on the weekends.
“It’s kind of extra money, but I’m saving up for Harlaxton (College),” she said. “It’s not life or death, but it helps out.