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Career Services Center - Campus Student Employment Guide

This Student Employment Guide is your map to navigating the opportunities for campus employment. We encourage you to read this guide thoroughly. After reading the guide, if you have any questions, you can contact the Career Services Center located in the Kolligian Library, Suite 127.

JOB SEARCH TIPS

THE APPLICATION:

Students must apply online for campus jobs. Paper applications will not be accepted.  You can apply for jobs on-line by clicking HERE.

  • You must use your UC Merced e-mail address and password when applying for jobs. Do not use personal e-mail addresses such as hotmail, gmail, etc.
  • Attach a targeted resume and cover letter with each job you apply for. If you need assistance in developing these items, please make an appointment with a Career Counselor at the Career Services Center .   Please note that not all positions require a resume and cover letter.  Please review the job announcement closely as it will indicate if those items or others are required.
  • Windows based computers are best for filling out applications on-line. At this time, Mac computers will not allow you complete an on-line application if you are using the Mac Internet Explorer browser. This browser has known JavaScript problems and cannot be used on this site to apply for positions. There are other, newer browsers available for the Mac, including Firefox, which is available for free at http://www.mozilla.org/ and Safari, which is available through an upgrade to Mac OS X 10.4
  • If you are using Microsoft Office 2007, you must upload a compatibility patch to upload documents into the Cat PAWS system.  To download the patch, visit http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en.

THE INTERVIEW:

  • Dress professionally.
  • Practice. Practice. Practice.
  • Go through a mock interview with a Career Counselor.
  • Arrive a little early to your interview.
  • Be prepared to ask questions, not just answer them.
  • Send a thank-you letter after the interview.

MAKING A WINNING IMPRESSION ON THE JOB:

  • Have a positive "can do" attitude.
  • Arrive to work on time and plan ahead for any absences.
  • Dress according to the policy of the department.

TYPES OF POSITIONS

Student Assistant I – Under close supervision, Student Assistant I's perform a variety of unskilled clerical and/or manual related duties. The nature of duties assigned at this level may provide incumbents with free time for such activities as studying and reading. Incumbents may be required to have a general knowledge of the areas to which they are assigned.

Student Assistant II – Under supervision, Student Assistant II's perform a variety of clerical and/or manual related duties that are usually semi-skilled in nature and do not require extensive skill, training, or experience.

Student Assistant III – Under general supervision, Student Assistant III's perform a variety of skilled duties in support of academic research projects, student advising and contact with the public; perform clerical and manual duties that involve limited use of specialized skills; and may in addition coordinate the work of a group of lower level Assistants.

Student Assistant IV – Under general supervision, Student Assistant IV's perform a variety of complex duties in support of academic research projects; perform clerical, manual, advising, and/or public contact duties that require the use of specialized skills, and may, in addition, coordinate the work of a group of lower level Student Assistants.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY POSITIONS

To learn more about federal work study positions, click HERE.

NOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN HIRED

CONGRATULATIONS! Now that you are hired, your supervisor will contact you to schedule a time to meet prior to your first day of work.  During this meeting you and your supervisor will sign your job description. 

Following this meeting you need to visit the Career Services Center during student employment drop in hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) to complete your hiring paperwork. You must complete your hiring paperwork, including the W-4 and I-9 before you will be allowed to start your new job. When you come to Career Services to complete your hiring paperwork it is critical that you bring the necessary original documents to complete your I-9 form (i.e. Your driver's license and Social Security Card). Visit http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf for a listing of the required documents to complete the I-9.

Once you have successfully completed all of your hiring paperwork your hiring manager will be notified by the Career Services Center.

TRIAL EMPLOYMENT PERIOD:

  • The first 3 weeks of employment are considered a trial employment period. If the student is not compatible with the job, the supervisor can release the student from the position. Release from a position during trial employment period does not reflect negatively on the student or effect their future employment on campus except in cases of gross misconduct.

WORK LOAD:

  • A student can not work more than 18 hours/week during the academic year and no more than 40 hours per week during the summer.
  • No students are to work overtime.
  • Students are not allowed to work in more than one on-campus student position at a time
    • Exceptions may be made to this policy if the student who wishes a second position is currently employed in a position where he/she regularly works less than five hours per week and/or possesses a highly specialized skill or knowledge that is needed by the second employing unitStudents must obtain a Student Petition for Multiple Unit Assignment from Career Services for approval.

WHAT TO WEAR TO WORK

The staff of University of California , Merced desires to deliver outstanding customer service to all contacts and constituents. Appropriate professional attire is required of all university employees, including student employees, because of the important impression that is created by staff appearance. The goal is to serve our community in every way possible and appropriate professional attire creates a positive, confident and appealing environment . It is recommended that you dress appropriate to the work being done and the department in which you are working . We encourage you to discuss this with your supervisor. It is important that our appearance indicate regular care; attire that is ironed, cleaned and mended, which would include all shoes, shirts, ties, skirts, dresses, pants, jackets and coats.

The following are guidelines for appropriate attire for work at the University of California, Merced:

MEN:

  • Tops
    Recommended: collared shirts, shirts and tie, sweaters, blazers and jackets
    Avoid: tee shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts
  • Pants
    Recommended: slacks, ironed khaki's, cords, twills
    Avoid: jeans, shorts
  • Shoes
    Recommended: dress shoes, dress boots, loafers, wing tips
    Avoid: hiking boots, flip flops, athletic shoes

WOMEN:

  • Tops
    Recommended: sweaters, blazers and jackets, blouses
    Avoid: tee shirts, tank tops, sweat shirts, tops that leave any midriff showing
  • Pants
    Recommended: slacks, khaki's, cords, twills
    Avoid: leggings, tights, jeans, shorts, mini skirts/dresses, capris and cropped pants
  • Shoes
    Recommended: dress shoes, dress boots, loafers, pumps
    Avoid: hiking boots, flip flops, athletic shoes

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN EMPLOYEE

A student's conduct on the job is to be that of an honest, reliable and helpful employee. Students are also expected to abide by their department's specific standards. Students not wishing to abide by these standards should consider work elsewhere and may be asked to do so.

It is the responsibility of the student to report to work on time, at the proper place, ready to work. All departments will have specific regulations covering absences, illness, etc. and students will be expected to abide by these regulations. In general, students should notify their supervisor immediately regarding illness or unusual circumstances.

Student employees do not accrue sick leave, vacation time, or compensation for jury duty and are paid only for the holidays they work. Student employees are compensated only for hours worked. This applies to summer positions as well. Student employees are covered under Worker's Compensation.

GETTING PAID

STARTING SALARY RANGES:

Student Assistant I - $8.00 - $11.60

Student Assistant II - $8.40 - $12.18

Student Assistant III - $8.82 - $12.79

Student Assistant IV - $9.26 – $13.43

Based on performance, students may be eligible for pay raises on a yearly basis.

TIME SHEETS:

Students working on campus must fill out time cards using the online PTR system (https://ptr.ucmerced.edu) regardless of their position. Students are to log all days/times worked on their time cards and submit their time cards  by the scheduled cut off date for each pay period.

DIRECT DEPOSIT:

Students interested in direct deposit should bring a voided check with them at the time they complete their hiring paperwork.  Automatic deposit takes 30 days to become effective. In the meantime, you will receive your payroll check in your home unit.

PAYDAY:

Students are paid on a bimonthly basis, on a Wednesday.

PROBLEMS ON THE JOB

If you are having problems with your job (e.g., work schedule, job expectations, conflicts with supervisor) discuss them with your supervisor. If you are not able to resolve the problem with your supervisor, contact the Career Services Center .

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY:

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which all persons who participate in University programs and activities can work together in an atmosphere free of all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including sexual. Specifically, every member of the University community should be aware that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by University policy. It is the intention of the University to take whatever action may be needed to prevent, correct, and, if necessary, discipline behavior which violates this policy.

Information regarding applicable policies and procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination and harassment and for pursuing available remedies is available in the Human Resources office.

YOUR FUTURE & YOUR CAMPUS JOB

Besides the financial rewards that come with being a student worker, on-campus employment is key to career success. Here are some benefits of student employment:

  • Gain skills that employers value:
    • Verbal Communication skills
    • Strong Work Ethic
    • Teamwork skills (works well with others)
    • Analytical skills
    • Initiative
    • Problem solving skills
    • Written Communication skills
    • Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
    • Computer skills
    • Flexibility/adaptability

    Source: Job Outlook 2011, National Association of Colleges and Employers

  • Practice professional behavior and learn how organizations function
  • Gain the work-related experience that employers value and strengthen your candidacy for after-graduation jobs
  • Achieve personal growth and build confidence as you take on new challenges
  • Practice employment interviewing skills and going through the hiring process
  • Experience being an independent learner
  • Learn to balance multiple roles and responsibilities (i.e. student/worker)
  • Supervisors can be a source for letters of recommendation

 

DROP BY THE CAREER SERVICES CENTER :

Monday through Friday - 8:00am-5:00pm
Kolligian Library - Suite 127 - 209.228.7272

 

University of California, Merced Career Services Center
5200 N. Lake Road, Kolligian Library, Suite 127, Merced, CA 95343
Ph. 209.228.7272 Fax. 209.228.7648
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