Expenses in America are no joke - especially when you begin to compare costs to what you would pay in your home country.

After rent, tuition, food, and essentials there is just not much left over.

One way to give you some extra pocket money is to get a job on-campus. You’ll be able to have some cash to go on that trip and make more amazing memories with friends.

Not only will the extra money help to stretch your budget, but an on-campus job can help you propel your career in ways you wouldn’t expect.

WHAT ARE GOOD ON-CAMPUS JOBS?

🍎 Teacher’s Assistant or Graduate Assistant: Working alongside the professor, you get to help other students succeed in the class. Work can include grading exams, tutoring, or helping the professor with projects. Not only do they pay hourly, but can also include scholarships. These roles will require a high level of academic performance. Students who have been intentional in getting to know and network with the professor will likely have a higher probability of getting these roles.

🏘️ Resident Assistant: Resident assistants (RAs) are students who live in the residence halls and help create a positive and safe environment. They are responsible for enforcing rules, providing support to students, and planning fun events. Typically, RAs work 10-20 hours per week and depending on your campus, you can be paid hourly and even save money on room and board.

🍴Dining Hall Worker: Dining hall workers help prepare food, serve during dining hours, and clean up in the dining halls. While not the most glamorous job on campus, a role like this will give you the opportunity to meet so much of the student body and network while you are on the clock.

📚 Library Worker: Library workers provide support to students, faculty, and staff in the university library. Oftentimes, students can bring along their own work when things are slow.

📎 Office Assistant: Office assistants provide administrative support to staff for various offices on campus.

🎫 Event Staff Worker: Event staff workers assist with set up, tear down, and event operations for campus events such as concerts, lectures, and sports games.

🖥️ Web desk or IT: You get to provide technical support to students, faculty, and staff all over campus. Whenever there is a problem with tech, you can swoop in to save the day.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN ON-CAMPUS JOB?

💰Earn Extra Money: The pay will depend on the on-campus job and your university, but you can bet that you’ll get paid a fair hourly wage. Also, many of these roles come with scholarship opportunities to help with tuition.

🚶‍♀️It's Convenient: With the job being right on campus, you can save commuting money and a whole lot of time. These jobs tend to be very flexible and your boss will work with you to find hours that fit around your class schedule. Some jobs like working in the library allow you to work on homework while on the clock. Not a bad gig!

🤝 Network on the Clock: View these roles not only as a way to make money now but as an investment into your future work. How beneficial would it be to have your boss's recommendation on your resume? It could be a huge factor. Not only will your coworkers be a great resource for you, but the people that you help in your job. It only takes one relationship to propel your career to the place that you want to go!

🇺🇸 Learn about American Work Culture: Perhaps the most important thing you will learn from an on-campus job is how to work with other Americans. You’ll learn how an office operates and expectations so that when you do get a job after graduation, you’ll know how to fit right in. You’ll also have stories and examples to share for the behavioral portion of a job interview. The relationships that you make and how you learn how to work and get along with others is so valuable.

HOW DO I GET AN ON-CAMPUS JOB?

Well, it can be tough, but it is definitely worth putting your best foot forward. While possible, I wouldn’t expect to get a job in your first semester. It’s important to have those expectations in your mind before starting on this journey.

Getting a job on campus is like getting any job in America - it’s all about referrals and relationships NOT through applying online.

I would start by visiting the campus career center or portal online to see what is available to you. Find people who are doing those jobs and ask them about how they got their roles. Remember, in America friends hire friends. Be genuine in your pursuit of a job and find ways that you can connect with people who can help you open opportunities for jobs that you want.

Also, check out our entire playlist of how to get on-campus jobs at Chai and Coaching!

WATCH THE ON-CAMPUS JOBS PLAYLIST HERE 

Some of my favorite interviews include:

👉 Expert Tips On How To Get On-Campus Jobs In America​

👉 Detailed Hiring Process & Hiring Manager Interview Tips​

👉 How To Get TA, RA & GA On Campus Jobs & Funding​

If you follow these steps, your on-campus job can be a highlight of your time in school!

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and do something new. You never know where it will lead!