Navigating the application, hiring process, and student employment experience is easier when you know a little bit about it. Below are tools and resources for student employees to help navigate the student employment experience.
Tips for Getting a Job On-Campus
- Make sure your application looks professional. Check your spelling. Don't use all lower-case letters. Don't use a funny or inappropriate email address.
- Read the minimum requirements in the job posting and if you don't meet them, don't apply.
- Once you have applied, you may want to check in at the department and introduce yourself.
- Check online often or new job postings and apply to all jobs for which you are qualified.
- Brush up on your job interview skills. The Academic and Career Development Center is a good resource for developing these skills.
- Explain your work experience as completely as possible in your application. Show the skills you have used in your work history. Remember that these jobs are competitive and there may be many applicants for each position.
- If you don't have much work experience you can list other experiences such as volunteer positions, work in a family business, or school positions of leadership.
- If you encounter trouble during your job search, contact Garrett Gassman at ggassman@unomaha.edu
General Student Employee Information and Policies
Regardless of the source of funding, a student employee is a temporary, part-time worker, enrolled for one credit hour or more, whose primary purpose for being at the university is the achievement of an education. Student employment is temporary and secondary to the pursuit of a degree.
A student may work up to 20 hours a week during the semester but may work up to 40 hours a week during official breaks and over the summer. Students should speak with their supervisor to understand if this is a possibility.
Supervisors will work with students in most cases to ensure work and course schedules align. Some positions require a student worker at specific times so please read the job description carefully and inquire during an interview.
Student employees do not receive vacation, holiday, jury duty, or sick pay. Nor are they eligible for leaves of absence. If a student works any four hours continuously, they may be given a paid, fifteen-minute rest period. If a student works for any six hours continuously, they are entitled to an unpaid lunch period of at least one half-hour.
Student Workers and Work-Study employees are paid by direct deposit of the student's paycheck to their bank account.
The Difference Between Work Study and Student Worker
Work-Study students are paid mostly via Federal Work-Study funds and in part, by the department, they work for. To be a Student Worker, you must be enrolled in at least one hour of classes.
To be eligible for Work-Study, a student must have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). More information is available through the Office of Financial Support and Scholarships. Work-Study is offered as part of a student's total financial aid package to assist him/her in financing their college education.
Students can see if they have been awarded Work-Study funds by checking under "Finances" on their MavLINK page. If a student is called for a Work-Study position job interview they must bring their Work-Study award letter – this can be printed from their MavLINK page.
Goal Setting
Goal setting is an important part of Maverick Student Employment. If you are currently employed, or still searching for the right opportunity, we encourage you to think about your career goals and how your employment opportunity is connecting to what you are learning in the classroom and building your career readiness. Write down your goals and discuss them with your supervisor.
Understanding and being able to articulate your goals will help you make the most of your employment experience. Knowing your goals will also help in performance evaluation discussions with your supervisor. Goals can help you learn new skills, accomplish tasks, or improve your quality of work. When drafting your goals, keep in mind, SMART Goals:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Realistic
T – Timely
5 Keys to Quality Service
- Safety
We practice safe behaviors in everything we do. We know and follow all policies and procedures. We are aware of our surroundings and the hazards that may be present. We take actions to always put safety first and identify, correct, and immediately report safety concerns. We avoid shortcuts that do not put safety first, and always ask, “Is there a safer way?” We speak up to ensure the safety of others and demonstrate care for the safety of others. And we appreciate and encourage the safety efforts of others. - Courtesy
We project a positive image and energy. We smile and are approachable. We make eye contact and are assertively friendly. We are courteous and respectful to guests of all ages. We greet, welcome, and thank all guests. We often engage in guest interactions first and keep conversations positive and appropriate. We treat each guest as an individual. - Care
We go above and beyond to exceed guest expectations. We anticipate needs, offer assistance, and provide immediate service recovery. We celebrate differences in our office, on campus, throughout our community, and beyond. We show empathy and understanding to those who are different than ourselves and cultivate a culture of care. We utilize our intercultural competence when working with and providing a service to those who are different than ourselves. - Presentation
We ensure our area is show-ready at all times by keeping our desks and offices clean and well-maintained. We take action to correct or report distractions from the work we do. We dress in a way that showcases our credibility. We wear our uniform or departmental “look." We always wear our nametags and come to work ready to perform. - Knowledge
We know and can identify resources related to our area in order to support guests. We are knowledgeable in our task objectives, office resources, and campus resources, as well. When we have questions, we ask for help, and we know that having the right answer is more important than asking a question more than once. If we do not know the answer, we know who to ask or who we can refer the guest to for the correct answer.
Workplace Accommodations
Student employees should be aware that they do not need to disclose any information on physical or mental impairments. However, if they wish to begin the process of requesting accommodations in their workplace, they must first self-identify themselves as having a disability.
A workplace accommodation is different than an academic accommodation. For more information on how to request an academic accommodation, please review the information outlined on the Accessibility Services Center website.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADAAA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, enables covered individuals to receive accommodations so long as the accommodations are reasonable, the job duties can be performed with or without an accommodation, and do not cause undue hardship or fundamentally alter an academic program.
Workplace Accommodation Process
- Understand that the University is not required to provide reasonable accommodation until the student has disclosed they have a disability.
- The student is not required to provide any specific diagnosis but should talk to their supervisor about their desire to request a workplace accommodation.
- The supervisor can assist the student with getting connected to Kristina Hoffmann, Employee Relations Specialist at kristinahoffmann@unomaha.edu
- The student will fill out the ADA Request for Accommodations Form and may be asked to provide additional information.
- A meeting may be set up to discuss the accommodation further and after all information is reviewed, a letter will be sent to the student and supervisor to notify them of the decision
Please note, if a workplace accommodation is set up, it is the student’s responsibility to disclose their disability to a new supervisor if that changes in their current position or follow the process outlined above if the student obtains a different position. The accommodation will not automatically transfer.
For more information, please review the Americans with Disabilities Act website.