| Many students in the U.S. turn to part-time work as a | | | | the work-study students have had a chance to find |
| way to help fund their college education. The Federal | | | | jobs, usually about a month into the semester. |
| Work-Study Program, administered through the | | | | Unfilled jobs are then opened to all student applicants. |
| Office of Federal Student Aid, is a form of student | | | | If your college or university offers a cooperative |
| financial aid that allows a student to work in | | | | education program, this may be the best way to gain |
| exchange for a portion of their financial aid money. | | | | valuable work experience while attending school. |
| Cooperative education is an increasingly popular type | | | | Cooperative education jobs are particularly common |
| of program in which universities help match students | | | | for technical students, such as engineering majors. |
| with flexible, school-friendly jobs with organizations | | | | There are two common types of cooperative |
| and business. Research shows that employers value | | | | education program. One involves alternating a |
| job experience in new employees. Cooperative | | | | semester of school with a semester of work, |
| education is usually more long-term than the | | | | repeating the cycle until graduation. The parallel model |
| traditional summer internship, and can help students | | | | requires spending equal amounts of time on school |
| transition between school and work. | | | | and work in a given semester. In the parallel model, |
| If you receive a Federal Work-Study award in your | | | | seminars and other programs can be used to connect |
| financial aid package, the first place to look is your | | | | school and work. |
| college's work-study listings on its website. Colleges | | | | Only a few colleges offer full cooperative education |
| typically offer a variety of jobs for work-study | | | | programs, but internships are an important |
| students, ranging from managing sports equipment to | | | | experience for many college students. Unlike normal |
| working in the dining hall to taking care of lab rats. | | | | jobs, internships rarely pay more than a small stipend, |
| Work-study jobs are required to pay above federal | | | | but a summer internship can be an invaluable |
| minimum wage, but are not usually very highly paid or | | | | experience. |
| skilled jobs. Depending on the job, you may have to | | | | College career centers, professional organizations, and |
| submit a resume or interview. | | | | nonprofits like the Student Conservation Association |
| If you don't get a work-study job right away, ask | | | | all provide internship lists, and your career center |
| your advisor and other professors if they know of | | | | advisors can help you find appropriate internship |
| any opportunities. Sometimes departments have | | | | opportunities. If you have a list of organizations |
| extra work-study money and can create more skilled | | | | you're interested in, check their websites for |
| positions. | | | | internship openings. Even if no intern positions are |
| Some colleges arrange with local nonprofit | | | | listed, you may be able to create a position for |
| organizations to offer off-campus jobs for | | | | yourself. |
| work-study students. These jobs are usually more | | | | Work-study, cooperative education jobs, and |
| skilled than on-campus jobs and offer a great | | | | internships are more than just a way to help pay for |
| opportunity to build your resume while earning money | | | | your college education - they're valuable sources of |
| for college. They are also more competitive and may | | | | work experience that will help you find a job after |
| require previous volunteer or work experience. | | | | college. They can also help you choose or confirm |
| No work-study award? You'll have to wait until after | | | | your major and future career goals. |