Jobs and internships can provide you with an even more valuable element to your career as a student. They provide you with experience and an idea of what a workplace could look like for you. Fortunately, Michigan State has many opportunities both on campus and off campus.
There are typically four types of jobs on a college campus, full time, part time, internships, and work study. Full time and part time are mostly similar, but full time employment is more hours. According to Michigan State Career Services, internships are jobs that are more closely related to your major than a typical full time or part time job. Also, on their website it mentions that internships can be paid or unpaid. Work study is defined by Federal Student Aid as, “Part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.”
There are a variety of ways to find jobs on campus. For example, many places leave advertisements on boards around campus, so always keep a close eye on those just in case. Another good way are career fairs. These are usually held at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. Some are specific to different areas of MSU employment, for example housing has its own periodically. The bigger one that is held once a semester is open to all areas including off campus. The best way to find a job is through Handshake. Handshake is a system that you can use with your MSU email and find jobs to your specific wants or needs. For example, you can job search with only results showing on campus jobs. You should also use this to create an account where future employers can learn more about who you are. Also, it is worth keeping in mind that many places around campus, such as big box stores, have their own way of allowing you to apply, so you can look on those by finding their career website.
The final essential element of having a job at MSU is using the Career Services Network. They will help you with your resumé, interview skills, and workshops. The people who work there are experts in finding students’ jobs and even careers beyond college.
Finding a job on campus is a valuable thing to have, whether that is through a part time job, an internship, or work study. All of them will help guide you to the career that you eventually want to have.