All About Work Studies

Alexis Bond (right) helping Andy Hok (left) check out at the spirit store. Photo taken by Shaelyn Lampinen.

A work study is a job on campus where students get work experience and make income, funded by the government through financial aid. 

“It is here on campus you can literally walk to your employment,” Daniel Hayes, coordinator of recreational programs and assistant hall director said.  

In order to get a work study at The University of Olivet you have to qualify with the amount of financial aid you receive. As well as being a full time student at the university. 

To find what jobs are available go to MyOlivet portal and go to the quick links on the left side of the screen. It is linked to student employment, click the link and it will bring you to the website that shows you what is available for hire.  

There are many job opportunities including fitness center associate, campus safety, spirit store, grounds, housekeeping, IT, athletic teams, health and wellness center, intramural referee, student services, admissions, library, etc.  

“It's a great program for me because I really couldn't operate the library without my student workers,” Courtney Wirt, associate director of library services and student development initiatives said. 

When applying you need to have the actual copy of your birth certificate or social security card, not a copy of them.  

After applying, the supervisors treat it as a real job by doing their own hiring, they will view the applications and resumes, and will conduct interviews.  

“If a student has already worked for a supervisor in previous academic years and the student was a good performer then a lot of times they will bypass that interview the next year and do a rehire,” Lisa Webb, assistant director of human resources said.  

Once you get hired you have to do payroll forms through Webb. Students are limited to 20 hours a week across all departments. Work studies typically follow the academic school year with some positions going into the summer.  

“I like doing work study, I really recommend it if you can, just get job experience and then they can recommend you to other jobs,”  Alexis Bond, sophomore, said.  

If you are a full time student at The University of Olivet and are looking for work go to the MyOlivet portal to see what is available for the spring semester of 2025.  

Written by Shaelyn Lampinen