Campus Employment and Graduate Assistantships
Campus Employment
In America, campus student employment is employment through your college or university that you are directly compensated for on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Campus employment comes in many forms. For example, students can be employed in libraries, dining services, residence halls, athletic facilities, student activity centers, academic departments, and administrative offices.
In addition to studies, having a job as an international student has many benefits, such as:
Additional income to cover school fees and personal expenses.
Opportunities to make new friends and social connections.
Mental stimulation and skill development.
English language development in a real-world context.
New knowledge of the host culture through interaction with policies and customers.
A professional recommendation or referral by your supervisor.
The process of applying for a student job on campus will vary by school. In general, the following will be required:
Verify with your international office what types of employment are permitted through your specific visa.
Search campus bulletins and by speaking with your international office and career services center.
Review eligibility criteria and submit your application before the deadline.
Prepare and attend your interview, if required; punctuality and professional dress are expected.
If offered a position, confirm your offer, and submit required information to begin your employment.
Once hired, apply for a U.S. social security number through the Social Security Administration.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are part-time work opportunities for students engaged in graduate-level study (ex. masters, doctoral). Assistantships are salaried positions eligible for tuition discount or remission. They may also provide a monthly stipend and health insurance. Assistantships are often directed toward teaching, research, or projects through an administrative campus office or school affiliate. Assistantships tend to be supervised by a faculty or professional staff member with years of experience in their field.
Assistantships are competitive to obtain, and eligibility is based on multiple factors, such as seniority level, grade point average (GPA), degree program, and prior work experience. Academic departments may award assistantships directly to students after admission into their program or may request students apply for department assistantships through a campus job portal. For this process, we recommend writing a strong cover letter (letter of intent) and submitting your resume or curriculum vitae. An interview is often required. Fortunately, assistantships can be renewable for a future semester.