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Don't think
work-study counts for much? See what it's doing
for these students...
Work-Study is a Big Deal!
By Feona Sharhran Huff
February 2001
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Want to
make some money while working in a position related
to your major? Gain some real-life work experience?
Learn skills that will help you thrive as a professional
once you graduate? Earn money to help you pay
for college?
If so, think work-study,
a popular part of many students' financial aid
packages. Simply defined, work-study allows students
who demonstrate financial need to work toward
defraying the costs of their educational expenses.
If accepted into the Federal work-study program,
you'll be given a specific amount of your financial
aid award money for working at an on-campus job.
And, taking part in your future college's work-study
program can not only benefit your tuition payments,
but increase your future paycheck as well.
But don't take our
word for it -- see why work-study students from
Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic,
CT and Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA,
are raving about the benefits they're getting!
Nuvia Llorca
Age: 18
Classification: Sophomore
Major: Business Administration
School: Eastern Connecticut State University
Position: Financial aid representive
Responsibilities: "I sit at the financial aid
window and talk with students about their finanical
aid file and status. I also review their files
to make sure their financial aid packages are
complete and that all the paper work is correct.
Then I forward the files to the financial aid
director."
Rewards: "The six months I have worked in the
financial aid office has given me a lot of experience.
I've come to understand the financial aid process
and all of the steps involved. Also, it's given
me computer skills and a lot of responsibility,
not to mention monetary compensation."
Denise Manning
Age: 21
Classification: Junior
Major: Psychology and Education
School: Eastern Connecticut State University
Position: Secretary for the Housing District for
Willimantic, CT
Responsibilities: "I do a lot of clerical/secretarial
work. Also as part of my job, I will be running
an after-school program and a YMCA program."
Rewards: "Work-study gives me the opportunity
to work within my major. I enjoy working with
the kids. They challenge me. I am able to teach
them things in a different way because I'm younger
than their other teachers. Plus, work-study makes
it easier to go out into the workforce. There
are a lot of people in the community who know
that I am an education major and are already trying
to get me into positions."
Kelly Desjardins
Age: 21
Classification:
Senior
Major: Psychology
School: Eastern
Connecticut State University
Position: Student Activities Accounting Office
Responsibilities: "I do everything in customer
service. I also answer the phones, file, enter
club payments into the system, reconcile accounts,
and conduct research."
Rewards: "Even though this job is not in my major,
it helps me gain a lot of office experience. And,
it helps me pay for school and my books."
Michael Delane
Age: 18
Classification: Freshman
Major: Chemistry Pre-Med
School: Norfolk State University
Position: Student Worker, Alumni Relations Office
Responsibilities: "My responsibilities include
typing, filing, database entry, mailings, and
assisting with the production of the alumni magazine.
Rewards: "Work-study allows me to use the skills
that I already have. It also helps me earn the
cash I really need for my college education as
well as provide me with spending money."
Monique Moore
Age: 18
Classification: Freshman
Major: Nursing
School: Norfolk State University
Position: Student Worker, Alumni Relations Office
Responsibilities: "I answer the phones, file,
type letters, enter information into the computer
system, etc."
Rewards: "Working here enhances my skills and
gives me a reputable job to post on my resume.
That looks good when I go to job fairs. I am also
learning to be responsible, especially since I
am away from home."
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