Information to Anchor Your Simmons Experience

Welcome to The Anchor. This bi-weekly communication will provide you with relevant information to anchor your Simmons experience.

From the VP's Desk

Dr. Renique Kersh, VP for Student Affairs

Welcome Back, Sharks!

I'm excited about this upcoming academic year, and I'm looking forward to seeing you on campus soon! Welcome to the first edition of The Anchor. The Anchor is a bi-weekly communication that will provide you with important updates and information about opportunities to get involved across campus.

The Anchor will be an excellent source of information for you during the academic year so please be on the lookout for it. Each week, over the next month you will receive a different themed Anchor with information ranging from health and wellness, a residential or commuter check-list, to Welcome Week festivities. A family and parent version will also be sent monthly to your families if they have signed up to receive it.

This week our focus is to help you understand and learn more about on-campus employment and its benefits, whether you are new to Simmons or returning for your Senior year. Did you know that 43% of full-time students work while attending college nationally? Did you know that students who work on campus are more successful academically, achieving higher grade point averages than students who don’t work on-campus? This is particularly true for students in their first year of college.

Working on campus is way more than just a paycheck! There are many opportunities to work across the University that not only allow you to develop friendships with peers and mentorship with faculty and staff, but you are also a part of a learning experience developing skills for future employment, including critical thinking, integrative learning, and collaboration skills, and communication skills. I encourage you to take a look at the information in this issue and consider working on campus this year!

In This Edition

• How to Find Employment
• Work Study vs. General Employment

• Simmons Student Employment & Involvement Fair
• I-9 and W-4 Forms

How to Find Employment

Handshake

The Career Education Center (CEC) empowers all Simmons students and alumnx with the expertise, skills, and resources to engage in, access, and explore diverse opportunities for their life’s work, integrating their passion with their purpose in meaningful careers.

Use Handshake to explore career options, find jobs and internships, sign up for career events, and connect with employers.

As you are seeking employment, connect with a career coach to discuss:

• Resumes/Cover Letters
• Assessments and Major Exploration
• Internship Searching
• Interviewing
• Job Searching and Employer Outreach Coaching

Student Employment: Workday

Simmons Student Employment is available to all enrolled, degree-seeking students. If you are considering part-time work at Simmons during the school year, log into Workday to learn more about specific job opportunities. These positions allow students to develop and broaden their educational and professional skills while earning money part-time.

• Click on the Career icon on your Workday home screen and browse the Student Job Board for student employment jobs.
• To apply for a particular job you are interested in, please read the application instructions thoroughly and follow them closely.

Students must schedule an appointment prior to meeting with Student Employment.

Selina Wang | Student Employment & Outside Scholarship Administrator is typically on-campus during the academic year from Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 3:30PM and available to meet via Zoom on Mondays & Fridays.

Work Study vs. General Employment

When you are searching for a position either through Handshake or Workday, you might see on campus positions are offered using two different types of designations. Before you apply for a position be sure to know the difference and if you qualify.

General: This means the position posted does not require students to have been awarded federal work study as a part of their financial aid package. Any student can apply for this position.

Work Study: This means the position does require students to have been awarded federal work study as a part of their financial aid package. Only students with this award will be considered for the position.

How do I apply for federal work-study?: Federal work-study is available to undergraduate students who have answered ‘yes’ to the question “interested in work-study?” on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and have financial aid eligibility.

Does work-study get applied to my bill?: Work-Study is not directly applied to your bill like other aid you may receive. Once you have secured a work-study job, you will receive a bi-weekly paycheck. Many students use this money to help pay for their personal expenses during the year.

How many hours can I work?: Simmons policy prohibits student employees from working more than 20 hours per week total (including all on-campus and work-study jobs) while school is in session (Fall & Spring Semester).

If you have questions, please contact Student Financial Services, comprised of Student Account and Financial Aid staff by emailing [email protected].

2022 Simmons Student Employment & Involvement Fair

Thursday, September 22nd, 2022

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT

Linda K. Paresky Conference Center

We're hosting our first Student Employment and Involvement Fair. The Student Employment and Involvement Fair at Simmons University is the Career Education Center kick-start event of the semester! First-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are encouraged to attend and take this opportunity to connect early with young professionals looking for part-time on-campus employment, local internships, or volunteer opportunities in the Fenway area.

Prepare for the Fair: If you have questions about registering for the Student Employment and Involvement Fair or preparing for it, please book an appointment with the Career Education Center or email [email protected].

Top 7 Tips for Securing an On-Campus Job

1. Brainstorm about what you want to do. Think about what skills you have that you could put to use on campus. Were you a lifeguard in high school? Consider working at your university's fitness center, staffing the indoor pool. Did you have a summer job as a barista? Try working at your campus coffee shop. Have you worked at a restaurant? Consider your college dining hall.

2. Don't ignore your resume. Just because you're looking for a job on campus doesn't give you an excuse to let your resume slide. Treat the position as you would any formal job opportunity, and make sure your cover letter and resume are spic and span.

3. Don't be afraid to ask, "How'd you get your job?" Make use of your peers. If you have any friends who work on campus, see if there are any openings at their workplaces. Ask if they can connect you with a manager or supervisor who would be willing to take a look at your resume. If you see an acquaintance working somewhere you'd like to work - like the campus coffee shop, for example, or in the dining hall - don't be afraid to ask if their workplace is hiring.

4. Network with professors. If you do well in a class or have forged a positive relationship with one of your professors, you can ask if their academic department is hiring an assistant, or even if the professor themselves is looking for a teaching assistant, for example.

5. Don't ignore cork boards and digital signage. From the coffee shop, to residence halls and dining halls, there are plenty of places where people put up flyers. Sometimes, these might be advertising open positions on campus, so make sure you take a gander next time you walk by.

6. Stop by Career Services. The Career Education Center is a valuable resource that you should definitely take advantage of. Not only can the office help you clean up or craft a winning resume, but they will also know about the employment opportunities on campus.

7. Think long-term. Not all on-campus jobs are easy to come by, but if you put in the right amount of planning and effort, you might be able to land yourself a stellar position. For example, although the hiring process to become a resident assistant in a residence hall is an extended one, the perks (free housing, for example) are enormous. Keep your eyes and ears open for these types of opportunities.

*Adapted from Balanced Careers

Student Affairs Positions

Student Affairs is the largest student employer on campus and has already posted various open positions for Fall 2022. This upcoming year, students will be able to participate in paid leadership and professional development programs. Please view the position descriptions on Workday.

Student Organization and Programs Manager - Student (General)

• R08714 | Posting Date: 07/26/2022 | Main Campus

Eckert Center for Leadership and Engagement Office Assistant - Student (General)

• R08713 | Posting Date: 07/26/2022 | Main Campus

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Trip Leader - Student (General)

• R08701 | Posting Date: 07/20/2022 | Main Campus

America Learns Academic Mentor (Work-Study)

• R07874 | Posting Date: 07/20/2022 | Main Campus

Strong Women, Strong Girls Mentor (Work-Study)

• R08059 | Posting Date: 07/20/2022 | Main Campus

Program Assistant - Service at Simmons

• R08698 | Posting Date: 07/20/2022 | Main Campus

Graduate Assistant for Student-Led Community Engagement Programs and Partnerships - Student (General)

• R08686 | Posting Date: 07/15/2022 | Main Campus

Jumpstart AmeriCorps Member - Student (Work-Study)

• R07750 | Posting Date: 07/15/2022 | Main Campus

New Student Employees:

Come Prepared

To begin your new position, you should also understand the process, forms, and materials you need for your employment. Once you have accepted a job, but before you begin working, you will need to complete your Form I-9 with the Student Employment Office. Please keep this in mind when you discuss your start date with your manager.  

• You will complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 in Workday and then schedule your appointment with the Student Employment Office to present your document(s) to complete Section 2 of the form.  
• You will need to present 1 document from List A or a combination of 1 document from Both List B and List C. Please refer to the List of Acceptable Documentation. Only original, non-expired documents are acceptable. Photocopies cannot be used. 
• You will not be eligible to begin working until your Form I-9 is completed with the Student Employment Office. 

Onboarding: Once you have logged into your Workday account, there will be several onboarding items in your inbox that you need to complete and submit for your hire to be complete. These include reviewing important policies, entering your direct deposit information, as well as tax withholding elections, and contact information.

Expectations of Your New Role

It's important for supervisors and student employees to set and understand expectations. In addition to understanding the specific duties of your position, other topics may include:

• Dress code while working
• Clear communication with your supervisor. Listen carefully and expect clear guidance and direction, and make sure to speak up if you’re unclear about something
• Requesting time off, including to study, around finals, etc.
• What to do if you are ill and can't make a shift (not prearranged time off)
• Length of shift(s) and breaks
• Expectations of work on weekends and during semester breaks (students may work during these times, so discuss with your supervisor)
• Ensuring that you have the training necessary for you to excel at your work assignments
• Share any other on-campus jobs to ensure you're not scheduled to work over a combined 20 hours a week between the two roles
• Students are NOT allowed to work when they are scheduled to be in class

*Adapted from the University of Michigan

Simmons University

Division of Student Affairs

300 The Fenway

Boston, MA 02115