By Zachary Clark
Bellarmine University offers a variety of on-campus work opportunities for students. From the application process to reflecting on their roles, students have unique experiences and insights about working on campus.
The passage to become an on-campus student employee is not universal. There are two options to becoming part of the work-study program: The Federal Work-Study (FWS) and the Krebs Work-Study. FWS, backed by the US Department of Education, caters to eligible students determined by FAFSA, whereas Krebs Work-Study, funded by Bellarmine University, offers opportunities for students not qualifying for FWS.
The FWS is determined based on financial need, satisfactory academic performance, and status as a first-time, first-year student or returning student who completed FWS during their first year of college. The Krebs Work-Study is not determined based on financial need but through an appeal submission while maintaining at least half-time enrollment and satisfactory academic performance.
Senior business administration major Irlanda Flores, a student worker in the Dean of Students Office, said she applied by sending her resume through Handshake but did not get her job until her junior year.
“I worked various jobs like at the Bellarmine call center until I got called in for an interview and got the job in the dean’s office,” Flores said. “It was tough getting a job at the beginning of my freshman semester.”
Flores said she helps students who come in, sets up programs for students’ development, and works at Knights Pantry.
First-year nursing major Alex Santiago, an employee at the Career Development Center, had a similar experience to Flores.
“I had to go to Handshake and apply for certain jobs that offer work-study,” Santiago said.
Santiago’s got his job more quickly than Flores, however. “I actually came in for an appointment here looking for a job, and they just asked me if I was interested in working here,” Santiago said. “I said ‘Yeah’ because I had nowhere else to apply.”
Pioneer Scholars peer mentor and sophomore psychology major Ashley Garcia’s path involved a series of interviews. “I applied last year in the spring, and then there was an interview process that I was very nervous about, but it was very relaxed and welcoming,” Garcia said. “Pioneer Scholars involves working with first-generation college students and providing some guiding help to them.”
Alex Santiago interacts with fellow student employees in the Campus Ministry.
There are some improvements that students would like to see changed in their hiring processes and employment experiences, however.
Santiago said he experienced trouble with both Handshake and his hiring. “It was not as streamlined as it could be,” he said.
“People get ghosted through Handshake and never even get a reply sometimes,” Santiago said. “Also, sometimes the jobs don’t list the full responsibilities that you do.”
Garcia said she wishes the Pioneer Scholars program were more appealing. “I want the members to feel encouraged to engage. I’ve found that on days there are more activity-based programs that there were more students showing up,” Garcia said.
Garcia said she finds it satisfying to work with first-year students. “As a mentor to first-year students, I find it to be very fulfilling,” she said.
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