Student work: A great way to gain experience, learn and earn
Student workers Richard Kilonzo (left) and Shauhardha Kshatri prepare a Buc Bike for check-out in the equipment room of ETSU’s Basler Center for Physical Activity.
Work study jobs on a college campus are so much more than a financial aid component to cover tuition and fees. East Tennessee State University student workers play important roles in campus operations, and their work allows them to gain experience in their chosen fields and follow their passions while having fun.
The following is a run-down of some of the coolest student work positions on campus:
- The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers many student work positions critical for daily and game-day operations. Athletic training techs – students pursuing degrees in exercise science or other health-related fields with a passion for athletics and rehabilitation – are needed for numerous Buccaneer sports teams. Buc Sports Network assistants operate cameras, utility, audio, graphics and replay in the production of live game broadcasts; these jobs are great for those studying broadcasting or digital media. Clock operators/field managers assist the athletic equipment staff with operating the game clock and playing music during practice; they also spot footballs, work chains, and set up, take down and move field equipment during practice. Game operations assistants perform a variety of tasks to ensure a successful game day for various sports. Student equipment managers assist staff in set-up and break-down for practice and on game days, putting equipment in its proper place, and more. Student weight room assistants help with athlete weigh-ins, equipment set-up and break-down, nutrition stock and cleanliness, spotting athletes in exercises and creating exercise PowerPoints.
- Similarly, Campus Recreation depends on student workers for critical operational tasks. Facility assistants and fitness and wellness assistants work in multiple areas of the Basler Center for Physical Activity (CPA), including the weight room and equipment desk, where they provide customer service, assistance and information to facility users. Some work as lifeguards, and intramural staff provide support for fun, safe and competitive intramural sports activities. Outdoor Adventure staff assist and monitor participants at the indoor climbing wall and the Basler Team Challenge and Aerial Adventure Course, and help with Buc Bike maintenance/management, leading trips and more.
- Students passionate about the environment and sustainability will find several options up their alley. The ETSU Farmers Market looks for student workers interested in local food, nutrition, ecological sustainability and more to help with setup, takedown and other aspects of event support for the market, which runs for several weeks each semester. EcoNuts Sustainability Ambassadors educate their peers about environmental issues like waste reduction and energy conservation and help plan activities. At the ETSU-Eastman Valleybrook campus, student workers can complete tasks on the Niswonger Village, working under Project EARTH, which focuses on promoting health and well-being in resource-limited settings.
- Education students and those who wish to promote inclusivity for individuals with intellectual disabilities might look at becoming Access ETSU Peer Mentors (BucMates). These ETSU students form positive relationships with students receiving Access ETSU services. BucMates assist with coursework, job coaching, attending campus events and more.
- A number of positions are great for students passionate about the arts. A classroom assistant in the Department of Theatre and Dance who is majoring or minoring in theater or minoring in dance will assist with choregraphy and costume design, practicing dance techniques and demonstrating classroom skills. Facility operations and event assistants help staff with daily operational event needs at the Martin Center for the Arts, including event set-up, ticket office tasks, seating arrangements, and more. Museum assistants at the Reece Museum perform such tasks as photography, research and data entry, collections care, visitor services, exhibition prep and digital marketing.
- Lab assistant positions are ideal for students majoring in the basic and health sciences. Students in these positions assist ETSU faculty in important research projects, such as the role of host and virus interaction in the development of cancer; setting up telescopes and other equipment at the Powell Observatory; and more. Some positions offer opportunities to continue work through grant funding after the work study period ends.
- A student with a flair for social media and an interest in the region’s past might enjoy being a social media student assistant for the Archives of Appalachia. This position involves researching the Archives’ collections and taking photographs of archival displays to create regular social media posts in collaboration with staff.
- Students who love using ETSU’s Sherrod Library and have a high degree of information literacy might enjoy becoming a Library Ambassador. After two semesters of training in this multi-year commitment, Library Ambassadors are deployed in the academic buildings of their majors to help fellow students with library research and to connect students needing more in-depth assistance to librarians.
- With it being an election year, students with an interest in community service and political science might find being a student assistant for ETSU Votes up their alley. These workers support students, faculty and staff in becoming engaged citizens through voter registration, engagement and education.
- Finally, students with Buccaneer spirit who also have excellent handwriting, spelling and grammar skills – and a desire to make new students feel welcome – would enjoy being an Undergraduate Admissions communications assistant. These students help welcome admitted students to ETSU and the Buccaneer community through print communication projects, including handwriting postcards and assisting with mailing projects.
Students whose financial aid packages include Academic Performance Scholarship (APS), Federal Work Study (FWS) and Regular Work Study Program (RWSP) may click here to learn more and browse for available student service positions. To learn more about financial aid, visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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