Office of Student Aid : Penn State's Costs : Financing Strategies for Your Education : Employment Opportunities

Reasons to Work

A part-time or summer job is a resume-builder. It allows you to gain valuable work experience that will be attractive to future employers.

A part-time or summer job provides you with money for books or even tuition.

Contributing your earnings towards your education is a direct investment in your future.

Working during the Semester

Studies have shown that students who work 10 to 15 hours each week during periods of enrollment do better academically. Part-time work combined with academic study encourages good time management.

There are many part-time jobs on or near to campus:

• Federal Work-Study job listings for all Penn State campuses are available on eLion by selecting Work-Study Job Search from the student menu options.
• Campus wage-payroll job listings

Working During Periods of Non-Enrollment

• Summer breaks prior to and during college

  Check with employers in your local community for full or part-time summer employment.

  If you are staying on or near to campus during the summer, consider continuing your part-time job and increasing your hours.

• Semester and holiday breaks

  Make arrangements with an employer in your local community to work during the fall and/or spring semester breaks. You might want to contact an employer for whom you have worked previously.

  Contact retail stores looking for additional help during the holiday break.