Work-Study Jobs Nowhere to be Found!

caruth · 02-17-2008, 06:54 PM

My D is a freshman at JHU and has searched high and low for a job last semester and this one. She was given work-study as part of her scholarship package, but if there's no job available, guess who ends up filling in the $2500 gap? Any ideas? I have already called the Financial Office for help. They had some good thoughts, but so far no luck. Isn't there any regulation that if work-study is offerred, the school should help her get a job? She is not alone; several of her friends are having the same problem.

*AdmissionsDaniel* · 02-18-2008, 09:34 AM

First, let me start by saying that in my 4+ years at Hopkins, and over 10 years working for colleges I have never heard of there not being any work-study jobs around. With how much help is needed in all departments and offices at a University it is hard to imagine no openings be available ... but if that is true it is a shame.

Second, I will say that it is about a month into the spring semester and most of the good work-study jobs have probably been filled. Most work-study jobs are filled in the fall semester and students keep their jobs for the full year. There is a huge job / work-study fair the first week of classes each fall and that is where most students complete their applications for jobs with various offices, departments, and organizations. Most of the hiring is done then, but there are still always positions throughout the year.

Is your daughter limiting her search? Is she being picky? She may have to select a position for the rest of the semester that doesn't suit her interests, and then just start looking during the first week of the fall semester.

Most students I know have used the Student Employment Office, Financial Aid office, or just spoken to departments, offices, faculty members, staff members, local organizations about openings. I am sure if she use all the sources out there she can find something.

Student Employment:
Student Employment Services | JHU

I know a lot of times offices (such as Admissions) don't list all their jobs with Student Employment but will still hire throughout the semester. We actually were hiring up until two weeks ago.

caruth · 02-20-2008, 11:06 PM

Admissions Daniel: I was hoping I would hear from you...this is truly an issue for her and a few of her friends. She did go to the job fair in the fall and submitted at least 10 resumes/apps; also applied on line to another dozen or so. She was frustrated by the lack of even a negative response...just an empty void. Even the Financial Aid office acknowledged many apps sent online get lost in the shuffle. I did urge her to just "show up" to various department offices. She went into the Admissions office just last week and they took her info, but nothing open right now. Will there be some jobs available soon with acceptance letters going out next month? If so, could someone PLEASE refer back to her name on the waiting list? She wants to work, but is getting so discouraged by the process. Thanks for any assistance you can give us...Forgot to mention, she has sought help several times from the Student Employment Office...they are totally useless - just telling her to look online.

*AdmissionsDaniel* · 02-21-2008, 06:51 AM

I'm really sorry the difficulty that your daughter is facing. Unfortunately in Admissions right now our entire student employment budget (including work study funds) has been spent for the spring semester. We have over 20 students working for us, which is more than we can usually have, so therefore we will not be hiring again until the fall semester.

The only advice I can provide is to be even more pro-active in the future. She may want to consider a part-time job right now -- maybe try some of the businesses on Charles and St. Pauls Street -- and then just be really aggressive at the start of the Fall semester.

caruth · 02-22-2008, 10:21 AM

Thank you for your advice...If she did want to work in Admissions in the fall, when and where should she apply to insure that she gets one of those open jobs? Should she go in just before this semester ends? Or do it online over the summer? If there's a trick to getting her in for the fall, I would greatly appreciate knowing it!

*AdmissionsDaniel* · 02-28-2008, 06:51 AM

My advice about an Admissions job for next fall is to:

(1) Stop by the Admissions Office (Mason Hall) right when she returns for the Fall semester and see which staff members are currently hiring. Get email addresses for those people, and send emails.
(2) Attend the job fair and have printed out applications. Go to the Admissions desk to drop off the applications and mention having previously sent emails.
(3) Follow-up one week later if she has not heard.

This will not guarantee her a job, but those are the best suggestions I can provide.

caruth · 03-07-2008, 08:36 PM

Thank you, Admissions Daniel...I will pass your info along and hopefully she will break into the "job market" in the fall. Thanks again and have a great summer.