University Career Services is hosting a career fair Wednesday where students will be able to speak to faculty and staff from about 50 departments about on-campus employment.
Although jobs on or off campus share many similarities, Lauren Moore, chairperson for Campus Jobs for Coogs, sees some key differences.
“Their work schedule can be flexed around their classes,” Moore said. “Most UH students must work to pay for college costs. An on-campus job saves money on transportation costs.”
The fair is open to all students, from incoming freshmen on up. Not just jobs are up for grabs annually, however.
“The job fair is informational and punctual,” said chemical engineering junior Michael Clardy. “The fair is yet another great opportunity to meet new people and expand your network, especially for freshmen. Plus the various jobs and departments give out free stuff!”
One concern that may arise is previous experience as some students may have never worked a formal job before. UCS provides solutions.
“If an incoming student has a blank resume, I would recommend that they visit the UCS office to speak with a career counselor,” Moore said. “Examining a student’s past experiences such as volunteer activities, high school organizations, etc., the counselors are experts at helping students draw from past experiences to translate them into skill sets that interest potential employers.”
Despite all the efforts toward placing students in the workplace, the maxim still stands that education comes first. “Students should come first and it is recommended to work only the hours that fit in with their study and class schedule,” Moore said.
“Even part-time jobs can be demanding, requiring juggling between school and work, although studies show that students who work on-campus jobs up to 15 hours a week actually do better academically compared to those who do not.”
Campus Jobs for Coogs will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 7, in the UC Houston room.
