Student Employment- It's A Good Thing!
Now that you have an acceptance letter from Cornell (yea for you!) it’s time to talk about the “workings” of employment at Cornell. First we’ll cover the facts, then the basics, and finish with a few details. Beyond what you read here, for additional information about student employment, you should refer to our web page at http://studentemployment.cornell.edu/ If you have questions, there are plenty of people with answers at this end so don’t be afraid to ask.
During the academic year nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students work in over 12,000 hourly paid jobs, for nearly 400 on-campus departments, earning a total of nearly $13,000,000. Clearly there are a lot of options for employment during the academic year and also during the summer. Most of our students work on campus. Quite a few also work in off-campus community service agencies or with local businesses. Some student employees have Federal Work-Study (a form of financial aid), but nearly 3/4 of the wages paid to student employees are not work-study.
THE BASICS…
If you are a student registered full-time in a degree seeking program at Cornell, and you are in good standing (meaning there are no holds on your record), you should be eligible to work in a student job. There are a wide variety of jobs and work schedules, which you can view on our web page when your Cornell NetID is activated.We do not “place” you in jobs, even if you have Federal Work-Study eligibility. You are in control of finding a job and a work schedule to meet your own interests and needs. Student jobs are real jobs and pay real money which you receive bi-weekly through direct deposit to your bank account, or a pay check mailed to your home address. Your earnings are not applied to your Bursar bill, you determine how best to spend your wages (within reason of course and hopefully not spent on throwing a pizza party for the entire floor of your residence hall!).
Students who work a modest number of hours per week report working improved their time management skills and their ability to balance work, academics, and social life. New students will find that working 5-8 hours a week is usually easy to manage and there is more than enough time to focus on their academics.
THE DETAILS…
Finding a Job The two most effective job resources are the electronic listings on our web page, and networking. The job postings are updated regularly, and it’s a good idea to check the listings daily. Academic year jobs are actively posted on the first day of New Student Registration in August so you won’t see the majority of our jobs listed during the summer. Word of mouth (otherwise known as networking) is the most valuable job search resource you’ll use. Many students find their jobs by talking to other students, faculty, teaching assistants, resident advisors, coaches, and staff. Seriously, if you really want to work, then spread the word that you are interested and available. Apply to jobs immediately. You snooze = you lose. It’s a simple equation.
Pay and Taxes
Your hourly wage depends on the job duties, complexity, required skills and experience, level of supervision, independent decision making, and liability issues. It also depends on wage equity within the department. Generic job descriptions and wage ranges for the Cornell Student Job and Wage System are available on our web page. The amount of money you earn during an academic year depends on your hourly pay rate, the number of hours and the total number of weeks you work. (Wage x Hours x Weeks = Gross Earnings) Student wages are subject to state and federal income tax, even if you are working in a Federal Work-Study job.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Employment Earnings Expectation (EEE)
If you have a financial aid package, it may contain a Federal Work-Study amount. Or, you may have an Employment Earnings Expectation (EEE) amount which is similar but different than FWS. Both FWS and EEE are considered self-help (along with loan). The amount of FWS or EEE indicates the portion of your financial aid that could not be covered by grants or scholarships and is the gross amount of money we expect you need to earn to help cover some of your expenses. FWS is a wage subsidy program. The employer who hires you pays only a portion of your wages while the federal government covers the balance�which makes you an appealing job applicant. You do not receive a higher or lower wage because you have FWS eligibility. The student wage scale applies to all student employees regardless of financial aid. FWS can be used with on-campus jobs, and for certain off-campus jobs, both during the academic year and summer. If you have FWS, always tell prospective employers. EEE is not a wage subsidy program. The employer pays 100% of your wages. EEE is included as part of your financial aid when your need is met through other sources but you do not qualify for FWS. Are you required to work if you have FWS or EEE? No. But if you chose not to work, obviously you have found other resources to help cover your expenses.
Myth-Buster Alert!
Work-Study does not mean you’ll get a job where you are paid to study. Work-study simply means you have a form of aid that helps you get a job because your eligibility for FWS saves the employer money.
To Work or Not To Work
The decision to work or not work while taking classes is completely yours to make. But consider the pros and cons carefully. If you don’t work, will you really apply that free time to your studies or will you just watch more television? Or, will working just a few hours a week enhance your education, strengthen your marketability for summer jobs, internships and post graduation entry-level jobs, expand your career options, and improve your social integration at one of the finest universities in the world!
Are most of the employers willing to be flexible in making the work schedule work with the class schedule?
Indeed I found that working a part time job while going to college made me more productive. Especially if I worked in the mornings. I would be alert by the time I went to classes in the afternoons.
We visited and toured Cornell as my daughter was interested in Landscape Architecture. Both daughters were employed throughout their college careers, and it taught them to manage their time more wisely.
I agree with the point that students should work through college. Both of my children were required to work during college. I think the experience made them better able to set priorities and manage time.