Frequently asked questions
Definitely! Every student is going to handle the transition to college differently; however, research supports student academic success when working a modest number of hours (8-12 hours/week), especially if that job is on campus.
Keep in mind that you will need to practice good time management habits, with your academics as a top priority. Any job can help you develop marketable skills.
We encourage that you:
- Look for jobs that might align with future career goals whenever possible.
- Visit your career coach for help with your part-time job search.
One of the job search tools we recommend is called “ Handshake”, an online system where students can browse part-time jobs and internships for the academic year as well as full-time opportunities for the summer.
Career Exploration & Student Employment also sponsors the Fall Part-time Jobs Fair in August and the Summer Jobs & Internships Fair in March. There are a variety of resources for finding job and internship opportunities at IU.
Employers understand that students may have little to no work experience when they come to college. For this reason, interviewers will look at your communication, time management, and teamwork skills - all skills that could be acquired in class, involvement in school activities, as well as any part-time work or volunteering you have done in the past.
One or more internship experiences during college is becoming expected in the workplace. Students who do not have internship experience could be at a disadvantage in competing for jobs after graduation.
An internship will help you gain experience in a career field before you enter the job market. Internships can confirm a career choice or can help you realize that a particular field isn’t a good fit.
Best advice is to start your search for internships as early as your freshman year. Make the summer between your freshman and sophomore year count.
Companies differ in when they start recruiting for internships. For summer internships, most companies start looking in January, but companies with more competitive internships start in the fall semester of the year before. We recommend students talk with their career coach or make early contact with their employers of choice to find out when intern hiring begins.
Some companies will offer leadership conferences/special events to freshman over the summer in place of an internship. These are extremely valuable for learning more about the company and preparing to have an internship the summer after.
The most common and popular way for students to talk with employers is by attending job fairs. However, remember that employers also come on campus to do information sessions and networking events.
Many employers and career professionals enjoy doing one-on-one Informational Interviews with students. Connect with your career coach to discuss these and other ways of connecting with employers.
Yes, it is possible to earn academic credit for internships. To incentivize students to seek out internship opportunities, academic credit can be obtained for completing a work experience. You will want to meet with your career coach and discuss the options available to you based on your major and field of study.
There are also internship courses affiliated with specific schools. For example, the The College of Arts and Sciences has information regarding the internship application process and the internship course requirements. Talk with your academic advisor or academic department to learn more.
International students are required to have authorization from the Office of International Services (OIS) before beginning an internship or any employment opportunity. Working without proper authorization is a violation of your legal status that will invalidate your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record.
If you have found an internship or
International students can work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the regular academic year. However, international students are not eligible for federal work-study positions.
Yes, of course. It will largely depend on how flexible and open you are to a variety of employment opportunities and how committed you are in researching opportunities. It’s going to take some research and motivation, but it’s totally possible.
This will depend on when you plan on working or interning. If it’s during the academic year we suggest you start at 8-12 hours per week, and sometimes up to 20 hours per week. If it’s during the summer you can decide if you want to work up to 30-40 hours per week or commit to an internship 30-40 hours per week.
Part-time jobs provide you an opportunity to make some money while building a variety of soft skills such as; communication, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and specific skills associated with the type of work you’re doing.
Internships are more career focused. You research experiences that will deliberately help you gain specific knowledge, skills, and further understanding of a particular industry. In turn, you can bring to the internship the knowledge you’ve acquired through your education. Some internships are paid.
Work-Study is a form of financial aid students receive based on financial need. If you’ve been awarded work-study, you can learn more from Student Central.
You will want to meet with your career coach and discuss which of these options are the best choice for you based on where you are in your career journey.
As a freshman, it’s best to start out with a part-time job on campus, one within walking distance from your residence hall if possible. If you want to work off-campus, be mindful of transportation to and from work. As an IU student, you can ride the Bloomington Transit buses for free with your Crimson Card.
The first step is to create a resume. Your career coach can help walk you through every section of your resume.
You can get started by visiting us!
LinkedIn is a very valuable tool for connecting with IU Alums. Check out LinkedIn's guides for creating and using your LinkedIn profile to build your network.
Career Exploration & Student Employment posts part-time jobs and internships every day in Handshake. Our career coaches are trained to help you search for the experiential learning opportunity that works best for you.
Employers receive many applications, so it can take time for them to review all candidates. Candidates should follow up within about 48-72 hours after submitting their application materials.
If it has been more than 72 hours, consider following up with an email expressing your interest in the position.
When you work part-time on campus and you want to quit your job, we suggest you be honest with your employer and give them a 1-2 week notice. In reality, part-time jobs are considered “at will” employment opportunities. What this means is that a student employee is free to leave a job at any time for any or no reason with no adverse legal consequences.
If you do not like your internship, the first thing to do is talk to your internship supervisor. Communication is always the best way to approach or resolve issues. Your internship supervisor and you may be able to resolve those issues or come to an agreement on how to move forward.
Be recognized for your time management, work ethic and commitment to working while earning an IU degree. Report your employment and share your work experience with Career Exploration & Student Employment.
You could be highlighted on our social media and your story shared to encourage other students to take advantage of experiential learning opportunities.