Student job changes aid education

Computerized matchmaking between employers and students seeking jobs will become available mid-September thanks to new software marketed as JobX. It’s one of the innovative changes to student employment services brought about over the summer. Others include:

• Establishing a Student Employment Center. Located in Career Services, it’s a joint effort of that office and Student Financial Aid. Previously part of Human Resource Services, student employment was relocated as part of a larger reorganization of HRS.

“By moving student employment to Career Services, students’ work study and other jobs can be more deliberately aligned with their career aspirations, internship opportunities, and their academic studies,” said Mary Wack, interim director of the Office of Undergraduate Education.

• Hiring a new student employment coordinator, Patty Winder.

• Providing training sessions on the JobX software for employers, many of whom are staff and faculty.
Approximately 4,700 WSU students work while in school each year, said Wayne Sparks, director of the Office of Student Financial Aid. Of those, 1,700 receive part of their money from federal- and state-funded work-study support.

“Statistics show that not only do students who work up to 10-15 hours weekly have higher GPAs and better time management skills than nonworking students, but they also are more connected to their university, which is shown to boost retention and graduation rates,” he said.

To enter job postings, visit studentjobs.wsu.edu.