For students job hunting at Principia looks different after a new student employment process was put into place.
The updated system is simpler than it might appear, according to Lauren Cornthwaite, who works with student employment in the school’s human resources department. Students can now go directly through the Student Employment Office, submitting their academic schedules and noting any time conflicts. Cornthwaite said after the process is done, she would match students with open positions and notify hiring managers.
With change comes confusion, and some returning students reported difficulties this semester with jobs. In previous years, Nina Okike worked in dining services and was even a student manager. This semester, however, she was unaware of the changes and started this school year scrambling to find a place to work.
“It was really stressful the week before coming back on campus because I was wondering what I would be doing, and where I’d get my source of income from,” said Okike.
While the idea behind the new system is to streamline hiring, some returning students still face challenges in retaining their previous jobs. Cornthwaite said students who want to retain previous positions in the coming semester should always check with their managers at the end of each semester. “If students are facing this problem, reach out to HR to get the help needed,” she said.
The updated hiring process was introduced in August 2024, but most departments have only recently put it into practice. Some areas continue to operate under their previous systems, making it important for students to communicate with Cornthwaite and department managers to secure positions.
For new students, Cornthwaite recommends submitting applications and scheduling interviews during the first couple of weeks of the semester to ensure they’re entered into the system. She said the first month of the semester holds the most job openings; rest assured, there will be a steady stream of openings throughout the semester as well.
She said students can stop by the Student Employment Office in the basement of the School of Government building, though Cornthwaite said she encourages them to schedule an appointment.
More changes are expected to be coming to student employment. HR is partnering with hiring managers to hire students directly through Handshake — a platform that will make it easier for students to find and apply for positions. While it isn’t ready yet, Cornthwaite said she is looking forward to the upcoming changes. “The student employment process is changing for the better of Principia students to make the student experience as successful as possible.”
Principia students have a variety of jobs available across campus. The largest opportunities are in dining services, including the Pub, dining room, and college store. Other positions include the mail room and copy center, facilities, social team, and athletics game-day staff. Some specialized jobs, such as writing center tutors or media roles, have specific requirements before one can be hired.
For further information on student employment opportunities, students can visit the Student Employment Office page on PrinWeb or email [email protected].