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.
Student Employment Onboarding

Student Employment Onboarding is a required task for all students starting their first on-campus job at Ithaca College. Completion of onboarding only happens once. Completing this task ensures that students are well-prepared for success in their campus positions.

Compensation For Student Employment

group of student employees

Student Employment Hours and Wages information can be found here.

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.
Federal Work Study (FWS)

Find out more information about FWS and what that means at Ithaca College!

Off-Campus Federal Work Study Community Service

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

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.

file-outline Time Management Worksheet - student-employment-worksheet (pdf)

This tool may help you decide if you have enough room in your schedule to take on student employment. Working while being a student is not the right choice for everyone. Take time to consider all of your commitments first.

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.

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.

Leveraging Your Campus Job

Read below for more!