To some students, Community-Based Work Study (CBWS) may sound new and unfamiliar—what exactly is it? CBWS is part of the Federal Work-Study program, which the Department of Education defines as a program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. Most students hear the words “Federal Work-Study” (FWS) and think of busy-work jobs like office assistant or cafeteria server, but FWS in fact encourages community service work through CBWS jobs, work that is based on helping the community.
Title IV of the Higher Education Act states the following as one of the program’s purposes:
“…To encourage students receiving Federal student financial assistance to participate in community service activities that will benefit the Nation and engender in the students a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community.”
In the scope of Carleton, the CCCE defines the program’s purpose in a similar way:
“The Community-Based Work Study program is designed to create partnerships between Carleton and community organizations with our students serving as the bridge between the organization and the campus. This establishes an important component of engagement between students, the community, and Carleton.”
In addition to furthering Carleton’s commitment to community and civic engagement, CBWS provides professional experience in organizations outside of the college. This exposure may help students make important decisions about their career paths. By having community-based jobs that complement their career interests, students can get an idea of how that experience might fit into their future. It is in this way that CBWS positions create more equitable opportunities for exploration and development, as many nonprofits only have unpaid positions, which may exclude students who need to work to support themselves as they pay for college.
According to a study conducted by the Department of Education in 2000, of all FWS jobs, 43% were clerical, 10% library support, 5% computer support, and 19% “other,” such as maintenance and food service. While convenient, these kinds of jobs are not as likely to complement student academic fields or career interests the same way that internships and research experiences do. In fact, this same study surveyed students who were employed in CBWS positions. Over 80% of them said they would take similar jobs or community service opportunities in the future. 62% even said that their jobs supported their career goals.
If CBWS aligns with important college values, creates more equitable opportunities for students, and the majority of students like it, why are CBWS jobs rarer on college campuses? The answer is not a simple one. It could be because most colleges are not engaged enough in their community and therefore cannot offer positions in it. Another reason might be that colleges need the money that is used to pay for a FWS student’s salary to financially support other needs like dining halls and libraries. More information can be found in this article on the Campus Compact website.
Fortunately, many Carleton students find career-supporting work in their FWS employment. Carleton students who are eligible for CBWS work at a variety of off-campus sites such as the Northfield Public Library, Greenvale Community School, and the Middle School Youth Center.