By Jennifer Fusco

For the 11th year, student employees will be recognized for their outstanding work on campus. Thirty-five students will be honored with this year's Outstanding Student Employee Award. Each will receive a $100 gift certificate to the University Bookstore, and all 72 nominees will receive a certificate of recognition. Students were nominated by their supervisors and the winners were selected by a committee.

The Student Employee Awards Reception will be held Wednesday, April 13, 4 -5:30 p.m. in the Student Center, Dining Room.

There are 830 student employees who work in more than 90 departments and offices on campus. Some are part of the Federal Work Study program, in which students who qualify receive Federal Work Study funds, while others are Student Assistants, paid for through the department's budgets.

Twice a year, Career Development holds a job fair specifically designed to attract students to campus jobs. At the fair in January, 21 on-campus employers took part and more than 450 students attended.

According to Adam Mayer, assistant director of Career Development, the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the Child Care Center, Sprague Library and Campus Recreation hire the largest number of student employees.

The Child Care Center employs approximately 75-80 students per year and director Janey DeLuca says it's a win-win situation. "The Center gets to train students to work in the field of early childhood education, the students get hands-on experiences in the field and the children get additional nurturing adults with whom to work and play."

While each campus department does its own hiring, Career Development facilitates the relationship between employers and students. "We see ourselves as the intermediaries," said Mayer. "We post the positions throughout the year and provide supplemental programs like the job fair, student training and supervisor training, along with the awards reception."

Mayer said campus departments rely heavily on students and students rely on campus employers for the opportunity to provide them with not only the chance to earn money without having to leave campus but for a learning experience as well.

Stacia Zelick, director of Technical Support Services for OIT, said the department employs approximately 65 students in the labs and 35 students on the Help Desk, and the benefits are not limited to the students. "Through the training, coaching and mentoring they receive, as well as the interactions with the MSU community, the students gain a valuable learning experience and strong foundation so they succeed in the real world," she explained. "Students also provide a fresh perspective to the support environment. They are the conduit to the student body to help us understand the interests and feelings of the campus and also supplement the full-time desktop support staff, enabling us to bridge the resource gap."

Faith Ryan of Library Services, which hired 49 student employees this year, agrees. "The student employees provide valuable services assisting our staff and, in turn, all library patrons. I think this work opportunity on campus also greatly benefits the students who can strengthen their work ethics and skills in a supportive environment. We have trained student employees as freshmen, who then return to work for us each year until they graduate."

In a survey conducted by Career Development of the 830 student employees last semester, 109 of the 118 respondents cited the number one positive reason for working on campus is the convenience. Other top responses included flexible scheduling and gaining job references. "Students appreciate the flexibility and that employers are willing to work with them around their class schedules, " said Mayer.

In addition,  83 noted that teamwork skills/working well with others and flexibility/adapatability were the qualities they've developed while working on campus, followed by communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

"Working on campus provides students with the experience of working in an office environment and developing interpersonal skills," added Mayer. "To some it's an experiential experience and it also provides them with an opportunity to try out their occupations."

Mayer says the awards program is designed to recognize student employees for their hard work but also to help them build a portfolio. "We try to help students create a tangible list of things that they've accomplished during their college career and this award is something they can present to potential employers after they graduate."

Click here for a list of the students recognized for their outstanding work.