Once students settle into the school year routines, they often consider part-time employment, and there is no shortage of job opportunities on the Madison College campuses.
Campus jobs are a great opportunity because they allow students to earn money, build professional experience and provide flexibility to manage their academic schedules.
Chris Pecor is a work-study administrator at the Career Employee Services front desk who appreciates working in an academically friendly environment where he’s treated as a student and as a professional.
Pecor found an on-campus job last semester because he knew he needed a job before the summer arrived.
While being an employee and a student in the same building can sometimes lack variety, Pecor says the job flexibility makes it worth it.
He’s grateful he doesn’t have to rush to work and recognizes an off-campus job would not give him the same opportunities. “The cool part is I couldn’t do that with another job. I cannot work for an hour and a half in the morning, then go to my classes, then finish my shift,” Pecor said.
Pecor encourages students to find new job situations and participate in different work experiences.
“You don’t have to be in your comfort zone. Try something else. Try something different. Because that’s how you grow,” he said.
Like most student employees, Pecor found his job through Handshake, the best way to find student employment.
Talitha Cushman, a Worksmart administrator coordinator, encourages students to download the Handshake app and use the “on campus” filter.
Scrolling through Handshake, students can discover dozens of jobs. With so many opportunities on the app, Cushman was able to rattle off several job openings, including jobs in the early learning center, cafe and maintenance.
Cushman said students need to take six credits to qualify and can work up to a maximum of twenty hours. The CES center has successfully filled many jobs and is now working on filling jobs for the spring semester.
Cushman sees the student employment program as a way to assist students both now and in the future.
“Not only do they work around student schedules and always prioritize their training with their education first, but there is also this sense of mentoring and offering new experiences to build on for their future career after they graduate,” Cushman said.
“What I love seeing is students coming in here and saying, ‘I need a job,’ and we help them apply on Handshake. And then I see them working here the next month,” Cushman said.
She recently trained Jenna Sandstorm, a student peer support advisor who also recognizes the benefits of her on-campus work environment. Like Cushman, she’s excited about mentorship and new journeys.
“Knowing that the people I’m working with are supporting my future goals. Helping me get through school and what I’m dealing with right now, and looking to the future as well,” she said.
For more information on student employment, download the Handshake app or stop by the Career Employment Services offices.