If you have been awarded Federal Work Study (FWS) in your financial aid package you're eligible to apply for a paid position available with non-profits in the local Ithaca area. For more information follow the link below
Navigating Your Role as a Student Employee
We’re thrilled to have you as part of our student employee community at IC! This page is designed to be your go-to resource, providing you with all the tools, guidelines, and support you need to succeed in your role. Whether you're looking for payroll information, training opportunities, or answers to common questions, you'll find everything you need right here.
Natalie Curry Photography
Natalie Curry Photography
Off-Campus Federal Work Study Community Service
Congratulations on your first job at Ithaca College - Form I-9
Congratulations on your first offer of student employment! Before you can begin working for the first time, you must complete the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and present your original physical documents for review. Please note you are only required to complete the Form I-9 for your first job at Ithaca College.
If you are thinking, “I left those documents at home,” you have a couple of options:
- We recommend that you arrange for the overnight shipping of your documents to expedite the process.
- Alternatively, you may wait until one of Ithaca College’s breaks to return home and bring the necessary documents back to campus.
Important Information:
- All students are required to complete the Form I-9 before their employment start date. Students allowed to begin work until Student Employment has received the completed Form I-9.
- After accepting your job offer in the IC HR Cloud, you will receive detailed instructions for completing and submitting the Form I-9.
- Please note that the Form I-9 requires you to present original, unexpired documents to verify your employment eligibility. Photocopies of any List A, List B, or List C documents are not acceptable. For more information on acceptable documents, please refer to this link.
- You are only required to complete the Form I-9 for your first job at Ithaca College. However, if there is a gap between your undergraduate and graduate enrollment, you will need to complete the Form I-9 again.
For any questions, please contact Student Employment. Again congratulations on your job offer!
Compensation For Student Employment
What are students compensated for student jobs at IC?
- All student employment jobs start at New York State minimum wage, as amended from year to year. Raises are not guaranteed. For more information, see the IC Student Compensation Structure.
How will I get paid?
- All students are paid in bi-weekly increments through IC payroll. Late submitted and approved timecards may be processed in the next scheduled payroll with delays. Students can sign up for direct deposit for faster payroll processing.
- Federal Work Study awards are not credited to a student's college tuition account.
Do student employees receive sick leave?
- Under New York State law, student employees qualify for New York State Paid Sick Leave (PSL). Students accrue one (1) hour of paid sick time for every thirty (30) hours worked. Student employees are part-time employees and do not receive vacation pay or other benefits.
Prioritize Your Academics
It is important to remember that you are a student first and an employee second. Students can only work a maximum of 20 hours weekly for all student jobs during the academic year. However, there is not a limit to the number of student jobs that a student can work. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they do not work over twenty hours each week. If you find yourself falling behind in class, your grades are slipping, or you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s crucial to discuss adjusting your work schedule or reducing your hours with your supervisor to prioritize your education.
Student Leadership Institute
The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) is a series of interactive workshops designed to help students develop and refine personal leadership skills. The SLI is open to all IC students, there is no cost to participate, and you may choose to take part in a series of sessions and earn a certificate - or attend any individual session YOU would like! Register for SLI workshops anytime on IC Engage. Learn more about SLI on IC's campus here.
Federal Work Study Q & A
If you know you have Federal Work Study, or if you're unsure and want clarity on what FWS is and how it does or does not effect your student employment experience at IC, read below to learn more.
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Federal Work Study (FWS) is a form of financial aid awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and meet certain eligibility requirements. Not every student at Ithaca College is eligible for FWS. FWS does not guarantee students a job. Students interested in using their FWS award must find a student employment position, apply directly on the prospective student employment database and be offered the position based on their qualifications.
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A Federal Work Study award is determined through the FASFA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are eligible, your FWS award will be listed in your financial aid package. If you are unsure of your status you can reach out to student financial services directly to confirm.
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Yes. All IC students are eligible for campus employment regardless of Federal Work Study status and can apply to open positions directly through the Prospective Student Employee Job Database.
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A FWS award does not guarantee employment. Students awarded FWS are eligible to work on-campus or with IC’s community partners through the FWS community service program. The FWS community service program is a fantastic way to do meaningful work with local non-profits in the Ithaca community. For more information apply directly on the prospective student employment database. Reach out to studentemployment@ithaca.edu with questions.
Things to Remember When Starting Your On-Campus Job
When starting a campus job, it's essential to keep the following things in mind:
- Clarify expectations: Discuss job duties and responsibilities with your supervisor to ensure clarity.
- Familiarize yourself with policies: Learn campus policies/procedures to navigate your role effectively.
- Be proactive: Don't hesitate to ask questions if you need clarification on tasks or procedures.
- Foster relationships: Build positive relationships with colleagues for a collaborative work environment.
- Demonstrate reliability: Show your commitment by being punctual and dependable in your attendance and tasks.
- Embrace feedback: Be open to feedback from your supervisor for growth and improvement.
- Stay organized: Create efficient systems to manage workload and deadlines effectively.
- Take initiative: Seek opportunities to contribute ideas or take on extra responsibilities to showcase enthusiasm.
- Prioritize academics: Balance work commitments and academic studies for success.
- Uphold professionalism: Maintain professionalism to represent yourself and your department positively.
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As a student employee, it’s crucial to recognize your experience as a valuable opportunity for growth and development, bringing you closer to life after graduation. To ensure long-term success during your position, considering the following tips for maximizing your experience:
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Enhance Your Career Readiness through Student Employment
Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers highlights the top competencies valued by employers. Ithaca College is committed to developing these skills, ensuring graduates are prepared for successful careers. Through student employment, you’ll gain practical experience that promotes inclusivity, sharpens communication, and builds essential networks. Engage in roles that enhance problem-solving, cultivate effective work habits, develop leadership, and strengthen tech skills—preparing you for success beyond graduation.
Unlock the 8 NACE Career Competencies:
- Technology: Hands-on experience with digital tools helps you enhance your tech skills for future workplaces.
- Teamwork: Collaboration in student employment builds your ability to form strong relationships and appreciate diverse viewpoints.
- Career & Self Development: Student employment helps you identify strengths, navigate career opportunities, and build networks on and off-campus.
- Equity & Inclusion: These jobs promote inclusivity by engaging you with diverse perspectives and practicing equity in the workplace.
- Leadership: You’ll gain leadership experience by leveraging your personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
- Communication: Work roles develop your ability to clearly and effectively communicate ideas and information with diverse groups.
- Critical Thinking: You’ll enhance your problem-solving skills by analyzing situations and making informed decisions in your role.
- Professionalism: Work environments help you cultivate effective work habits, time management, and responsibility.
Read more below:
- NACE's Career Readiness Defined: This page provides an in-depth overview of the eight key career readiness competencies, including detailed descriptions and their significance in preparing college graduates for successful careers. Explore it on NACE’s website.
- Career Readiness Resources from NACE: This section on the NACE website offers various resources, including reports, articles, and toolkits related to career readiness and the competencies employers seek. Visit NACE’s resource hub.
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Your campus job is more than just a routine gig; it's a dynamic training ground where you develop a diverse skill set highly valued by employers. From honing adaptability to mastering multitasking and communication, your campus job equips you with essential skills sought after in entry-level professionals. Don't overlook it on your resume; it's a testament to your versatility and initiative, showcasing your readiness for the professional world. Highlight your campus job as a cornerstone of your professional development journey!
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While initially daunting, seeking feedback is pivotal in fostering strong relationships and enhancing your professional growth, ultimately strengthening your capabilities in the workplace. Maximize the benefits of feedback sessions by scheduling dedicated time, posing targeted questions, diligently taking notes, and crafting actionable goals for continuous improvement.
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There are a lot of opportunities on Ithaca's campus for you to invest in your personal and professional development. The Office of Student Engagement offers a wide variety of leadership development opportunities designed to help students identify and develop their leadership paths. Here are just a few:
The Knowledge to Action Retreat provides an opportunity for students to learn about some historical aspects of activism, hear stories from IC alumni who used their knowledge of equity issues to become agents of social change, and make a plan for taking action on campus and in the community. REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024 RETREAT WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER and will be filled on a first-to-sign-up basis. Find more information here
The Emerging Leaders Weekend retreat is a program designed by the Office of Student Engagement, the Office of New Student and Transition Programs and the Center for career exploration and Development for all first-year and transfer students at IC. Registration opens in January 2025. Find more information here
The 13th annual Women Leaders Series offers a month of personal and professional development programs designed to enhance opportunities for college women student leaders. All of the programs offered in this annual series are free and open to all current Ithaca College students. Be sure to register for workshops on IC Engage for Student Leadership Institute credit. Find more information here
The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) is a series of interactive workshops designed to help students develop and refine personal leadership skills. The SLI is open to all IC students, there is no cost to participate, and you may choose to take part in a series of sessions and earn a certificate - or attend any individual session YOU would like! Register for SLI workshops anytime on IC Engage! Read more directly from the Student Leadership Institute website