Part-Time Job Search: On- and Off-Campus

There are several benefits of working part time while in college, including:

• Financial health: Working part-time while in college can help you maintain financial health and reduce the burden of student loans.
• Improved time management skills: Balancing work and school schedules can help you develop better time management skills that will serve you well in your future career.
• Work experience: Part-time work can provide you with valuable work experience that will help you stand out from other job applicants after graduation.
• Networking opportunities: Part-time work can also give you the chance to meet people in your field of interest and make connections that could help you in your future career.
• Professional development: Working part-time can help you develop important skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which will be valuable in any future job.
• Sense of responsibility: Working part-time while in college can also give you a sense of responsibility and reinforce the importance of showing up on time, meeting deadlines, and taking pride in your work.

Overall, whether on or off campus, part-time employment can be a great way to supplement your income while in college, gain valuable work experience, and develop important skills that will help you in your future career. 

ON-CAMPUS PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

On-campus jobs are great opportunities to earn money, gain experience, and get to know MSU better.  They are often more convenient for students as they do not require traveling off campus and generally work around class schedules. 

There are two kinds of on-campus employment:

Work-Study

The Work-Study Program provides income to assist students in meeting the Cost of Attendance at eligible public and private post-secondary institutions. Students must be eligible for and have accepted work study to do a work study job on campus. 

More Information About Work-Study/Work-Study eligibility

Student Employment

Some departments on campus have funding available to hire students to work on campus who are not work study eligible, these positions are considered student employment positions.

Postings for both work study and student employment are located on Handshake.  You can also check directly with offices on campus to see if they are hiring student help.

Resources for Students Employed On-Campus

• To request accommodations for your on-campus employment position, please contact Accessibility Resources.
• To report discrimination on-campus, click here.

OFF-CAMPUS PART-TIME Employment & SEASONAL JOBS

If you are not eligible for or interested in on campus employment, off campus part time employment could be a great option for you. Many local businesses and organizations are looking for quality candidates to fill their part time positions.  In addition to the job search links below, here are some strategies to find off-campus part-time employment.

• Utilize your network - tell everyone you know you're looking for work. Speak with instructors, family, coaches, friends, parents of friends - anyone and everyone you can think of - and ask for help. Many jobs are found through referrals and the people you know are often happy to assist.
• Look on LinkedIn – utilize LinkedIn’s Job Search feature
• Talk to other students about where they have been hired
• Utilize Handshake

Part-Time (Year-Round) 

• Indeed 
• Mankato Free Press Employment Classifieds
• Minnesota's Job Bank (searchable by zip code and job area)
• Simply Hired

Part-Time (Seasonal)

• Back Door Jobs
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Jobs
• Cool Summer Jobs
• SummerJobs.com

Resources for Students Employed Off-Campus

• To request workplace accommodations, contact the Human Resources department of your employer.
• If you experience harassment or discrimination in your place of work, there are resources to report this. Learn more about reporting Employment Discrimination with the MN Department of Human Rights or United States Department of Labor.

Using HANDSHAKE TO FIND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

Login to your free (and created for you) Handshake account to access both on- and off-campus part-time employment opportunities. If you are new to campus, or are switching job positions, below you will find the step by step instructions to browse positions on Handshake. 

Instructions by video

Instructions with visuals (PDF)

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

• If you are a new student, wait for the University to create your account AFTER you have completed orientation and registered for classes. Shortly after orientation you will receive a welcome e-mail from Handshake to your mnsu.edu inbox– this means your account is ready and you can log in.  If you are a current student, your account is already set-up.
• Log in using your Star ID and password (If it is your first time logging in, it will guide you through setting up your profile).
• For on-campus part-time jobs, click on the “Jobs” card. Then click on oval labelled “On-campus”.
• For off-campus part-time jobs, click on the oval labelled “Part-time” and filter location to “Mankato, MN” (or whatever your desired location is).

 

FAIRS & EVENTS

The Career Development Center hosts several job fairs and networking events throughout the year where you can connect with employers, learn about jobs available in the community, and develop the skills and experience you need.

You can also find job fairs in the community to look for open part-time positions by typing “career fair + location” into an online search engine.