<p>Is anyone else's child having issues with finding a work/study job?</p>
<p>My son was awarded work/study in his FA package in the spring and was a contributing factor is the final decision to choose Gburg. However, one month in and he has still to find a job! The system here is crazy! We were told he should "go look everywhere and ask for work" despite being told over the summer to wait for the Gettysburg Works listing. At move in he was told to "go look around and ask" Which is fine except - freshmen barely know where anything is! And not to wait for the Job Fair.</p>
<p>He went to the Career Office on Friday of Orientation, was told (or misunderstood) that he should wait for the Job Fair on the following Wednesday (8/29) A bit of a rule follower, and still trying to find his way around, he waited because someone in authority told him what to do. (Both people at Career Dev I spoke told me this could not have been the info he was given ?!)</p>
<p>Went to the Job Fair - thought he had a job in Student Accounts. Told the woman he would email his contact info to her. She was out of office for Labor Day . Didn't connect with her until late Tuesday "Sorry - that job is gone." He's a pretty bright kid, but had no idea that he didn't have the job. And now lost another week.</p>
<p>I finally called Car Dev (HATED to do it) and asked what was what 2 weeks ago. Basically, yes they are awarded work/study but with NO GUARANTEE of a job. We had counted on this as his spending $ for the semester. There are few jobs available now because time has elapsed. I spoke with Financial Aid and Car Dev at length again. Was told that although they award w/s (to students that need it and qualify for it) there is no guarantee of a job. New federal regs passed in recent years does not allow GC to hold jobs for a particular class of student. i.e W/s awards He has to continue "to ask everywhere, check back, don't use email - offices get too much of it" "Carry his resume with him"</p>
<p>If he can find something now it may only be catering on a casual (not steady) basis. "have him look for next semester soon'' "he can try and find something for next semester" Really! Sending him here is a stretch for us, as it is for many. He contributed to the tuition payment with a great scholarship and summer earnings. Now he's scraping by because the W/S awarded doesn't mean it will be disbursed. </p>
<p>Now he is feeling bad and strapped as well as rejected all over campus. Frustrating as all get out! Anyone else having issues?</p>
<p>I don’t think this is a unique situation;I believe this happens at many schools. I know when my daughter got her financial aid packets from her acceptances two years ago, one school had a ridiculously large amount in “work-study” that would have required her to work a LOT of hours. Another school “gave” her a rather large sum of work-study, but we knew through the grapevine that large numbers of students are unable to find jobs on campus. (It was a state school). Unfortunately, the onus is on the student to find a job. </p>
<p>Sadly, it may be difficult for him to find a job now. My daughter had at least one friend last year who did not find a job. OTOH, my daughter found a job, and she was not work-study. Any job is open to anyone at Gburg (or so we were told), and that seems to be the info you were given, too.</p>
<p>There are some jobs that are not even open to first years–the fitness center comes to mind. Other jobs are only open to first years, such as the CUB desk, but they have more than likely filled their quota. My daughter suggested your son try the dining hall, as they pretty frequently have openings due to the perceived stigma of working there. She also said the dept. of public safety seems to hire large numbers of students, which kind of surprised me–I’m not sure what type of jobs they’d be. Failing that, I’d just have him make the rounds every few weeks to remind people that he is available on the off chance that a position is available. Maybe have him talk to his advisor and other professors in case they know some faculty with an open position.</p>
<p>I do think schools need to do a better job explaining the whole work-study thing. For example, even though it is “awarded”, the money still has to be paid to your bill upfront, and most students tend to use the money for spending, so parents still are pretty much responsible for the upfront costs.</p>
<p>In any case, good luck to him. Let us know how he makes out.</p>
<p>ctinct
Thanks for the insight. As 1st time parents we were unaware of this situation and now get it (much to our dismay). I too have now heard the same thing is happening on a lot of campuses. It is frustrating that it is not more clear and I feel it is a bit deceptive. He is trying dining services so hopefully something will pan out.</p>
<p>I have to say I do not agree with the policy - which is only about 2 years old according to the Career Dev Office. (Federal changes - thanks DC!) If you are awarded work/study it is because there is a need. I know there are many who did not qualify for the w/s aid and still need jobs but if you are awarded it as part of the package, more should be done to ensure that the jobs are available in my opinion.</p>
<p>He’ll keep looking and hopefully something will open up later on or next semester there will be jobs available as some students go abroad.</p>
<p>We are already thinking he should volunteer with orientation next year just so he’s on campus early enough to find a job!</p>
<p>Just had another idea. Have him check into being one of the people who calls asking for donations for the school. It might not be a semester long job, but it’s something.</p>