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Student Employment at WSU

If you’re looking to work while a student, consider applying for an on-campus position.

There are job opportunities in a variety of areas and work settings across campus.

Apply for Student Jobs on Handshake

Through student jobs, you can learn new skills and strengthen the ones you already have. You’ll also have the chance to make connections and meet new friends, all while earning money.

Student jobs are conveniently located right here on campus—your workplace can be just minutes from your residence hall and classrooms. Student employees also have paid sick leave benefits due to the Earned Safe and Sick Time law (PDF) that went into effect in January 2024.  

Many job openings are posted during August and September. However, positions open throughout the school year and at the beginning of spring semester too.

Work-Study & Student Help Jobs
WSU has work study and student help jobs, which have different hiring criteria.

Any student is eligible for student help jobs, but you must have work study listed in your financial aid award to get a work study job.

You may hold a work study job and a student help job at the same time.

There are also opportunities for graduate assistantships.

A student worker looks through a file cabinet in an office on WSU campus.

Eligibility

You must complete the employment eligibility verification process before working your first shift.

To work on campus, you must be enrolled in a certain number of credits. The guidelines vary depending on:

  • Time of year
  • The program which is funding your employment
  • Whether or not you are a permanent resident of the United States
  • Whether you are in an undergraduate degree program or a graduate degree program

You are not eligible for on-campus employment if you:

  • drop courses and fall below the minimum credits
  • cannot register due to a registration hold
  • do not fall under “student status”

Enrollment Requirements

Students who are not seeking a degree from WSU must be enrolled for at least 6 undergraduate credits or 3 graduate credits during each semester in which they wish to be employed.

Bring Identification

If you’re considering student employment, you should bring 2 forms of identification to campus with you. One form of identification will establish your identity, and the other form establishes employment authorization.

For a complete listing of acceptable documents please see page 2 of the I-9 form. This will make processing your employment paperwork easier, and you can start your new job faster.

Acceptable forms of identification include unexpired originals. 

Students who are hired for a telework position still need to come to campus in person to complete hiring documents (I-9, W-4, and W4MN). Telework positions are only available for those completing the telework in Minnesota.

You must complete the hiring paperwork before working your first shift.

Find a Job

Ready to find a job at WSU? Here’s how to begin your job search for student positions.

You can also reach out to Career Services. Our staff are ready to help you find the right student job and offer a variety of personalized programs, tools, and guidance in job searching.

Handshake
Handshake is WSU’s job posting site where you can search and apply for on-campus jobs.

You will use your StarID and password to log in.

Visit Handshake

Some departments do not post campus jobs online, so you may want to reach out directly to ask about any openings.

A male student uses a laptop in a classroom on WSU campus.

Job Application Materials

It’s a good idea to prepare your resume and cover letters as well as a class schedule when completing job applications.

If you want help writing or fine-tuning these documents, make an appointment with Career Services.

Questions?

Career Services can answer questions about on-campus jobs.

Connect with the Student Payroll team for any questions about paychecks.