As the Fall semester begins, the various opportunities for campus involvement can be a bit overwhelming. For new and returning students alike, searching for student employment can be a daunting task. If your daily scrolling on HatterJobs is seeming futile and you’re starting to think that all the jobs on campus are somehow already taken in the first week, don’t fret–there are many employment opportunities on campus.
First things first: go to your MyStetson portal and check HatterJobs for new listings. Searching these listings mid-semester may not have the most desirable results. When all else fails, it’s time to network. As you settle into your new classes, keep up to date with your major’s department for any work-study positions that open throughout the semester. These positions could range from social media management to clerical assistants. Being an active member of your department by attending events and staying up to date with its social media pages and newsletters can increase your eligibility for these jobs. Being a familiar face is the first step.
For first-year students, creating a LinkedIn page and connecting with other Hatters can present unique opportunities for employment or off-campus internships. Following the Student Employment office on social media is also beneficial because they will often post upcoming job openings throughout the semester. Creating a network of classmates, professors and mentors can improve your chances of employment in a position that benefits your future career aspects and it may create opportunities that did not already exist. Although generally unpaid, positions like teaching assistants can bolster your resume and create lasting connections with students and faculty.
If a work-study position does not fit your schedule and an unpaid internship is not ideal, look into different funding options. Programs like the Internship Impact Fund from Stetson Career Success can help fund transportation and other costs for an unpaid internship. Additionally, there may be funding available in your department for an internship or research endeavor, like the Stetson Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) grant. The Student Employment Office and Stetson Career Success have several lesser-known resources like resume tools and templates, career counseling and paid micro-internships that you can access online. As you walk around campus, make sure to look out for any events like free headshot photography sessions and tabling by businesses.
No matter where you are in your Stetson journey, there are always options for career development. Whether through the Federal Work-Study program, a micro-internship or student organizations like our very own Hatter Network there are paths to make your time at Stetson meaningful for your future career.
