5. Job opportunities will probably get better the longer you've been in college. "As a first-year student, you tend not to get the pick of the litter of the work-study jobs," says Melanie Corrigan, associate director at the Center for Policy Analysis for the American Council on Education. "Generally, there is seniority in terms of how you get to pick your job," she says. Possible factors: the number of years you've been in college, your area of study, the connections you've made, your experience and who might be willing to recommend you.
Johnson believes that seniority isn't a factor as much as the greater flexibility older students may have in their schedules. "Many students who are upperclassmen probably have more time available," he says, "whereas an incoming freshman is new to the university and trying to get his feet wet." Many times, he says, "it really depends on what the department is looking for." And if it's a position that requires some experience, an upperclassman might have the advantage. 6. Putting in too much time can cause problems. "Probably the No. 1 thing" to remember is that the amount of work-study money you qualify for "is supposed to last the entire year," says Kenneth Redd, director of research and policy analysis for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. "You have to really budget the hours you're working."
With work-study, you'll be qualified to earn up to a certain amount and no more. Depending on the hourly rate of the job, that means you'll have a certain number of hours you can work. "Students want to pace themselves," says Johnson. Otherwise, you'll be out of a job, and the employer will be out of luck. 7. It's easier to get what you want if you know what you want. Are you getting a job in the library because you love books or because it will give you a quiet place to study and you need the money? Are you looking to make future professional contacts or investigate a career choice? It's always easier to make a good match with a job once you decide what you want.
Do the hours you're needed suit your schedule? Does it offer enough in money and hours to be worth your time, but not so much that it could impact your class and study schedule? 8. You need to understand what the employer wants. One key to success: "Communicating with the employees to know what the expectations are," says Mark Oleson, assistant professor and director of the Financial Counseling Clinic at Iowa State University.
Get a clear understanding of what's expected. What's the dress code? What are the hours they prefer you work? What do they want you to do if those hours start edging upward? Is it OK to study on the job if you've completed your work, or is that best left for breaks? 9. It's your choice. When it comes to financial aid, different solutions are going to work better for different people. Work-study can be a great tool, but you want to make sure it's a good fit for you.
"My recommendation would be to talk to someone in a financial aid office who's focused on work-study," says Oleson. "Say: 'Here's what I'm needing.'" And be specific: money, job that gives you time to study, job that gives you a break from studies or maybe a job that gives you some insight into a possible career. Then, says Oleson, ask: "Is something like this smart for me?" Dana Dratch is a freelance writer based in Atlanta. |