Benefiting the university, community and students; federal work-study provides many opportunities for students.
Rachel Zamaitis, junior, has worked at the front desk at the union for three years under the work-study program. She performs daily duties of answering the phone, putting away mail, and organizing the shelves in the bookstore.
“I love my on campus job,” Zamaitis said. “It allows me to work between classes and I get to know people that I many not have know otherwise.”
According to the Student Employment Handbook, federal work-study is available to students who are eligible for federal aid. Students must also be enrolled at least part time and maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. Students are only allowed to work nine hours in a week while school is in session.
Work-study jobs are available both on and off campus. On campus jobs include the library, admissions, the bookstore, within departments and with sports teams. Off campus jobs are available in the community with CASA, Franklin County Historical Society, Sacred Heart School and USD 290.
Director of Career Services and Student Employment, Susan Webb said this year there are 155 students taking advantage of the work study program, down from 185 students last year. Webb said that many students that are eligible are too busy with sports and other activates to fit in a work-study job.
The program offers students the benefit to work on campus as well as get job experience. “Students earn money and they can improve their skills or learn new skills while in their work study job,” Webb said.
Megan Reed, freshman, works in the communication department making flyers, filling out forms and doing other small jobs.
“I like that I can do real work before I get to the real world and the job helps with some of my accounting skills,” Reed, accounting, said.
Both workers expressed that they like working with professors and can have a job with time to study.
“I like the availability and variety of jobs so I don’t have to look off campus for a job,” Zamaitis said.
The fact that work study jobs are only available to Ottawa University students gives students a chance to get a job.
“I like that work study is set just for students, I don’t have to compete with other people in Ottawa to get a job,” Reed said.
Webb said the work study jobs are filled on a first come first served bases and the jobs fill up quick, however they still require a interview process for those students interested.
“We have positions open at different times in the year and some positions are still open,” Webb said.
Webb said they are always looking for community businesses that need a work study student. Positions that are still available can be found in the business office, maintenance and Sodexo.
Student Employment Handbooks and job listings can be found in the Career Services Office on the second floor of the Administration building.