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Having a student job offers countless benefits, from earning extra money to developing valuable skills that can further your professional development. CU Boulder employs thousands of students each semester, and for some students, working on campus may be their first job.

Here are four things to focus on while searching for or working in your student role to ensure it’s a valuable experience, both during your time on campus and after graduation.Ìý

Skill development

One of the most valuable benefits a student job can provide is experience for your resume. Even if you’re not working in a position that directly relates to your major, you can still develop foundational skills that will make you a stronger candidate for any future position or industry you pursue.

• Communication: You can practice and build effective communication skills in many instances during your time as a student employee. For example, ask questions about expectations and responsibilities when starting a new role. Talk to your supervisor about your goals and what you hope to gain from the experience.

• Responsibility: To future employers, responsibility means meeting deadlines, showing up to work prepared, taking accountability for mistakes and asking for support when needed. Be intentional about improving on all of these qualities while in your student role.Ìý

• Teamwork: Most jobs on campus require working as part of a larger team. Teamwork is an important skill because it demonstrates that you can collaborate effectively with others, a key quality in most work environments. Future employers will value you as someone who can positively impact the workplace culture.Ìý

If you have a particular job in mind that you’re seeking after graduation, request a job or industry report to see the top skills hiring managers look for in specific roles or an entire industry. Once you receive the report, you can include the skills you want to develop in your list of goals and review them with your supervisors.

Networking

Having a professional network can provide significant advantages when starting your career, and a student job allows you to connect with mentors who have ties to various industries and organizations. There is a lot to learn at the beginning of your career, including how to navigate workplace culture. Your mentors can give you valuable guidance and advice, helping you feel more prepared when you transition from college to work.Ìý

People in your network can provide professional references or write letters of recommendation during the application process. Be intentional about maintaining relationships with people you meet while working as a student employee. Consider connecting with your supervisors and coworkers on LinkedIn and joining the Forever Buffs Network to meet more mentors in the CU Boulder community. For other tips, check out these strategies for building a network.Ìý

Professional prepÌý

No matter what your on-campus job is, there are several experiences you will encounter that can help prepare you for future professional environments. As a student employee, you will be responsible for showing up on time, communicating last-minute changes in your schedule, arranging appropriate coverage if you need to miss a shift, in some cases, adhering to a uniform or dress code and more.

These practices help you develop habits that can contribute to your success in your future career. Employers will recognize that you have the transferable real-world experience you can bring to their organization. Relevant professional experiences, like internships or student jobs, are the number one reason that one candidate gets hired over a similar candidate. Career Services offers access to a variety of online training courses, job simulations and more to help you gain more professional experience.

Career exploration