On Campus Student Employment

National studies have shown that student employment and engagement are positively linked to success and completion. See the Noel-Levitz white paper Enhancing Student Success by Treating "Student Jobs" as "Real Jobs"

FAQ's:

What is student employment?

• KVCC student employment is offered on a per semester basis to students who maintain at least half-time enrollment (full-time enrollment for qualified international students) at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. It is "at will" employment which means the employee is not under contract, is only hired for an indefinite period of time and can be dismissed at any time for any non-discriminatory reason.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Must be at least 18 years of age or a high school graduate
• Must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and card
• Must be eligible to work in the United States of America (i.e. U.S. citizen, resident alien, refugee) or enrolled full-time as an international student (i.e. non-resident alien) with an F-1 or M-1 visa and a valid I-20 issued by Kalamazoo Valley Community College
• Have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (requirement does not apply while enrolled in your first semester at KVCC)
• Enrolled for at least 6 credits (taken on either a numerical grade or pass/fail basis) in Fall and/or Spring Semesters; 3 credits in Summer Semester. International students with an F-1/M-1 visa enrolled for at least 12 credits in Fall and/or Spring Semesters; 3 credits minimum in Summer (same grade rules apply for all semesters). Audited courses and incompletes ("I" grades that carryover from previous semester/s) do not apply toward employment eligibility. International students who claim exemption from the minimum enrollment requirements outlined above must obtain an approved visa exception from the Designated School Official (DSO) for international students on a per semester basis.

How many hours per week are student employees are allowed to work?

• Student employees may work a maximum of 25 hours per week during any semester. The weekly work hour maximum of 25 applies year-round; student employees are not allowed to work additional hours at any time throughout the year (i.e. semester break periods and/or between semesters).
• International students (i.e. F-1/M-1 visa holders) are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week as regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (USDHS). An international student employee may be allowed to work more than 20 hrs./week during the summer semester, but may not exceed the 25-hour maximum that applies to all KVCC student staff positions. However, exceptions to the 20-hour maximum for international students must be addressed on a case-by-case basis and requires the approval of KVCC Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) for International Students, Diane Finch, in office 9337 TTC, 488.4603.

What is federal work study and how do I know if I'm eligible to participate in the work study program?

• The Federal Work Study (FWS) program provides access to student employment opportunities. Students may be eligible for the Federal Work Study award, by indicating their interest on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -- available through the KVCC's Office of Financial Aid.
• The FWS award is actually a "maximum eligibility amount" that students may earn up to, if they secure a qualified student employment position. The award amount can be viewed by logging into MyValley account, if the student qualifies. The award is then paid-out, to the student, in the form of wages. These FWS "earnings" may be used to assist with various education-related expenses. Once the student attains their maximum eligibility amount through gross earnings, employment may be terminated.
• Student employment is based upon skills and abilities -- not necessarily financial need. Therefore, FWS-eligible students are not guaranteed a job. However, FWS-eligibility does provide unique opportunities for employment.

What is the rate of pay for student employment or Federal Work Study positions?

• The minimum rate of pay for student employee positions is $11.00 per hour

How do I apply for student employment positions?

• Students should check KVCC HR Jobs . Students can also approach individual departments to inquire if any positions are available.
• Students can go to the Financial Aid office to see if any Federal Work Study positions are available.

Do I need a resume?

• Yes. Students should have their resumes reviewed before applying. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor at 269.488.4040 or drop in at the Career Quick Connection, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12:30-2:30pm, room 2220TTC, outside the learning center or Tuesdays 4:30-6:30pm at 120 AWH.

What if I have more questions?

• Students with additional questions should make an appointment with a career advisor at 269.488.4040.

How to be a Successful Student Employee:

Accountability & Reliability

• Kalamazoo Valley Community College relies heavily on and highly values its student workers. Your first priority, of course, is academics, but while you are at work, you are expected to approach your job professionally and give 100%. Just like any other job, your part-time student job requires a commitment.
• You are expected to be at your job when you are scheduled to work. Do your best to give your supervisor as much advance notice as possible when you know you are going to be absent or late. Ask your supervisor in advance about the "call-in" procedure. TIP: At the beginning of each semester, take a look at your class syllabi and think about your school work in relation to your work schedule. Let your supervisor know well in advance if you think you'll need to take some time off when you have tests scheduled or papers/projects due.

Professionalism – Approach, Conduct & Appearance

• Have a positive approach
  Your student job may not be the most exciting position, but it can still provide a good experience. Think of the benefits—gaining work experience, earning some money, and having schedule flexibility and the convenience of working on campus. Your job(s) as a college student will form the foundation for your working life. Even if the job is not related to your major or career goals, it will help you to learn about the work world and acquire general work skills that may be useful to you when you graduate. Be enthusiastic about learning new tasks and/or taking on additional responsibilities. View your job as an opportunity to learn new skills… you never know for sure what you will be doing after you graduate, and the skills you learn in your student job(s) may come in handy!
• Be a "team player"
  Most departments at KVCC require people to work together effectively as a "team"; as a student worker, you are part of your departmental team. In most cases, to perform your job, you'll need to interact with other students and staff members. Establishing a positive rapport with other students as well as your supervisor and departmental staff will facilitate these interactions.
• Refrain from conducting "personal business" on the job
  "Personal business"—such as making personal phone calls, doing schoolwork, and browsing the Internet—tends to detract from your productivity while at work. Do not engage in personal business unless your supervisor gives you specific permission to do so.
• Keep casual conversation to a minimum
  While it's usually acceptable for you to talk with other students and/or departmental staff while working, keep in mind that your casual conversation can become distracting for you and/or others.
• Dress appropriately for your department
  Not all departments have formalized dress codes, but most departments have standards of dress that even students need to abide by. If you are not sure about the expectations in your department, ask your supervisor for some guidelines.

Taking Initiative – Going the Extra Mile

• Don't do just the "bare minimum"…give 100%
  Supervisors count on you to produce high-quality work. You may be tired or feel stressed from school, but keep in mind that the work you do while at your student job reflects on you and your department as a whole.
• Ask for more work
  When you complete a task, don't assume there is nothing else to do. Always take the initiative and ask your supervisor if anything else needs to be done.
• Talk to your supervisor
  Establishing and maintaining open lines of communication with your supervisor will help you feel more comfortable on the job. Talk to your supervisor if you are feeling overwhelmed by your academics; supervisors understand that academics are your first priority and are usually willing to decrease your hours should a situation like this occur. Ask for feedback about your work performance and be receptive to constructive criticism. Keep in mind that student employment is a learning experience; you are not expected to be perfect.
• Ask questions
  Don't hesitate to ask questions when you're not sure how to do something or how to respond to a question. In most cases, your supervisor would much rather have you ask questions than do a procedure incorrectly or give someone inaccurate information. Asking questions also helps you build a knowledge base, thus ultimately helping your department.

Transferable Soft Skills All Employers are Seeking in Candidates
State of Michigan eLearning Soft Skills Program - Fourteen eLearning modules on Lifelong Soft Skills that will help you develop necessary skills for workplace success.