Working Hard or Hardly Working?
Hannah gives a run-down of student employment (aka work study) at Carleton!
Hannah gives a run-down of student employment (aka work study) at Carleton!
From my experience, I would say that work study is working hard but having fun! I really like both of my student employment positions so it’s all work hard play hard over here.
What is student employment at Carleton?
Student employment is work study! You are employed by the college in a position on (or off) campus. Freshmen work about 8 hours a week, but once you become a sophomore you can upgrade to 10.
Why work?
People work for many different reasons. Personally, my work study is part of my financial aid package. If I want to get the portion of the money that falls under the work study category, I have to work! You can choose to decline or accept your work study—it is up to you and your financial situation.
Even if it is not included in your financial aid, you still have the opportunity to find employment. In this case, you can have your pay directly deposited to your account.
Besides financial aid there are other reasons for having a work study position. It is a good extracurricular, it gives you work experience, and you can earn extra money. It also builds your resume, you can help people, and learn new things. The list goes on and on.
What jobs can you have?
Carleton has a large variety of student positions that change all the time. Though many freshman end up in the dining hall their first year, there are many other options as well! You can check the Carleton website for the ever changing available student positions page. Right now the options available cover a range of opportunities. You could apply to be Library Intern to a Weather Station Programmer to a Snake Care Assistant with the Biology department!
What jobs do I have?
Currently, I work for Carleton Admissions as a blog writer (just a heads up that’s what you’re reading right now). I also work for the Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) as a tutor in local schools in Northfield.
How did I get these positions?
In the summer before my freshman year an email was sent out regarding student employment. Out of all the options available for freshmen, you choose your top five choices. You also submit your previous work experience and skills.
A tip: If you have been scoping out positions on campus through our website and you don’t see the one you want as an option, try putting it in the “other” spot! I was an avid reader of the Admissions Blog as a prospective student, and I thought it would be really fun to write for it. I didn’t have any expectations of being hired, but here I am! Basically you never know unless you try, so you might as well apply.
Carleton Admissions Blog
Writing for the blog has been so much fun. Each week I write a post about my time here at Carleton, and it can pretty much be about anything related to going to college here! I thought it was a super helpful resource as a prospective student and I’m so glad that I get to do the same for others. I even had a prospective student during the Accepted Student Experience day recognize me from the blog. (Those were my 15 seconds of fame.)
Center for Community and Civic Engagement
Though it is less common to have two positions as a freshmen, writing doesn’t fill my 8 hours at all, so I tutor as well. I currently work in the program called Northfield Reads and Counts (which is soon to be renamed).
Three times a week I hop in the CarlsGo van and go over to Bridgewater Elementary School, where I help out in a 1st grade classroom. My shifts this term are on the shorter side because my class schedule is kinda funky, but I make do with the time that I have there.
Working at the elementary school has been so much fun! Through the Reads and Counts program students can help at multiple locations. These include at the various elementary schools, the middle school, and the Northfield high school. Depending on what teacher you work with, you will have different responsibilities. Usually at the older level you have more one on one work tutoring with students. At Bridgewater I am constantly bouncing around the classroom working with students who ask for my help. I assist them in reading or working on their math problems.
I like working with the CCCE so much that next year I will be working as a Communications fellow in the CCCE office!
To wrap it up…
Work study is awesome because there are many different positions available and you get to meet various interesting people, and even get involved with Northfield’s community. Check it out!
Hannah is a freshman interested in Political Science and learning as much as she can about whatever she can. Born and raised in Minnesota, she considers herself somewhat of an expert on MN winters. She can’t wait for ice skating on the Bald Spot and Nordic skiing in the Arb, along with exploring all of the other amazing opportunities and activities on campus! When Hannah isn’t in class, she can be found reading, running for the Carleton Track team, watching TikToks, and tutoring with the Northfield Read and Counts Program. Meet the other bloggers!