Navigating Student Jobs at UNC Charlotte: A Comprehensive Guide

UNC Charlotte, with its vibrant community of over 30,000 students, offers a multitude of on-campus employment opportunities. These jobs provide students with valuable experience, financial assistance, and a deeper connection to the university. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to student employment at UNC Charlotte, covering various job types, application procedures, and essential information for both students and parents.

The Value of On-Campus Employment

The 'university experience' extends far beyond the classroom. On-campus jobs provide learning opportunities that contribute to a student's development as an educated, functional, independent, and responsible member of the community. These positions offer numerous benefits:

Convenience: On-campus jobs are easily accessible, saving time and transportation costs.
Skill Development: Students gain valuable work experience, develop professional skills, and enhance their resumes.
Financial Assistance: Student employment provides income to help cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs.
Campus Involvement: Working on campus fosters a stronger connection to the university community.

Parents can play a crucial role by helping their students understand the responsibilities associated with being a student employee and coaching them in effective problem-solving. Instead of managing their student's work-life, parents can assist them in becoming independent and responsible employees.

Types of Student Jobs at UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte offers a diverse range of student employment opportunities, catering to various interests and skill sets. Here are some prominent types:

University Professional Internship Program (UPIP)

Internships offered through the University Professional Internship Program (UPIP) are designed to provide professional knowledge and skill development consistent with your major/career goals. UPIP positions differ significantly from most other student employment positions on campus, as they are not your average student employment job where you just show up and complete tasks as directed.

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Resident Advisor (RA)

Resident Advisors (RAs) are integral to the Department of Housing and Residence Life. RAs are responsible for carrying out the values of the Department of Housing and Residence Life by assisting with the growth, belonging, and community on their floors and within their hall(s). The RA is a student peer leader who lives in the residence halls.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study is a federally funded, need-based, financial assistance program administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Student Employment Office (HR). Students that participate in the Federal Work Study program would have applied for Financial Aid and have been awarded and accepted the Federal Work Study grant. The vast majority of work-study positions are conveniently located on-campus. However, the program also offers a growing number of off-campus, community service-oriented employment opportunities (America Reads/Counts).

Completing the FAFSA does not guarantee eligibility in the program. First time Federal Work Study students will be contacted prior to the start of the semester about how to view and apply for positions and notified about the required Orientation for Federal Work Study students.

Graduate Assistantships

A graduate assistantship is an employment opportunity designed for/offered to prospective or currently enrolled graduate students to provide degree-related, experiential learning and/or work. The major goals of a graduate assistantship are two-fold: 1) to promote a student’s progress towards completion of a graduate degree; and 2) to provide additional resources to accomplish the mission of the University. Graduate assistants are paid semi-monthly stipends on the 15th (or last business day prior to the 15th) and the last business day of each month.

Other On-Campus Jobs

Technicians: Provide audiovisual and technical support for campus programs and events. Technicians set up, operate, maintain, and repair audio, visual and technical equipment used to enhance the customer's experience with programs and events. This equipment includes but is not limited to: microphones, mixers, speakers, projectors, screens, lighting, televisions, amplifiers, conference phones and more.
Information Center Specialists: Disseminate Student Union, Cone Center, and University information. They serve as a first contact with guests in a fast-paced environment. The information center is responsible for maintaining table check outs, Student Union pool table equipment inventory, and daily interaction tabulations through a database program.
Loading Dock Attendants: Distribute daily deliveries and maintain the loading dock area. They are responsible for the daily upkeep of the Popp Martin Student Union loading dock, at times they assist with the loading and unloading of trucks and manage all traffic inbound and outbound of the dock area.
NinerTech Computer Store Sales Associates: Provide computer sales and service to students, faculty, and staff members. The Sales Associate will work with other students for opening and closing duties, and point of sale transactions (cash, and credit card processing). Conducting product demo's, attending workshops and resource SOAR Fairs will also be required.
Event Support Staff: Provide direct customer assistance and event support within the Popp Martin Student Union. This support includes but is not limited to: room set ups according to space assignment instructions, audiovisual connection setup in meeting rooms, various cleaning tasks within event spaces using environmentally safe cleaning chemicals, operating cleaning equipment such as vacuums, wiping, mopping, squeegeeing, emptying trash and assisting with minor room maintenance tasks as needed, meeting and greeting customers and guests and offering friendly and knowledgeable customer service, acting as a liaison between customers, reservations, and building services to ensure event success, resolving all customer concerns in a timely manner, ensuring all guests are comfortable and safe, and monitoring events to ensure they are conducted within the parameters of University and Student Union policies and guidelines.
Social Media Ambassadors: Take, edit, and post photos for the Popp Martin Student Union and Cone University Center social media pages. Social media ambassadors will attend events held around campus and take pictures of those events to then be edited and posted on social media.

Finding and Applying for On-Campus Jobs

The University Career Center (Atkins 150) serves as the student’s point of reference for student employment information. It is the student’s responsibility to seek, and secure, any/all on-campus employment opportunities. On-campus employment is both convenient and a limited commodity. If interested, your young adult should initiate the job search process early and explore all possible avenues to secure employment opportunities.

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Essential Steps Before Starting Work

Congratulations on your new role! Before you begin working, please complete the following steps in the order listed:

Complete Section 1 of the I-9 Form:
- I-9 Form Access (With Social Security Number)
- I-9 Form Access (No Social Security Number)
- After submitting Section 1, you may receive a message indicating that someone will contact you. Please note: this message is generated by the company that provides the I-9 system nationally and is not specific to the University. No one from the University will reach out to you in response to this message.
Complete the Hiring Packet: Ensure all documents are filled out completely. Be sure to save and submit the packet.
Schedule an Appointment with Human Resources: You must present original, unexpired documents for I-9 verification in person. This is a federal requirement and cannot be waived. List of Acceptable Documents and HR Appointment Calendar
This step is essential-once received, the department can officially set your start date and submit the necessary information to place you on payroll.

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Required Documentation

If your young adult intends to pursue on-campus employment, he/she must present proof of identification and United States employment eligibility by providing the following information: for example an unexpired US passport; or a government-issued photo ID and their original Social Security Card, or official birth certificate. Please ensure that your young adult is provided access to all necessary forms of identification and that they fully understand the significance of safeguarding personal information.

You must bring the original document(s) for identification and/or employment authorization. Examples: If you have an unexpired US Passport or a Permanent Resident Card, you only need this document. If you do not have either of these documents, you will need to bring both: an unexpired government issued photo ID (i.e. Student ID, Drivers License, or Military ID) and an employment authorization document (i.e. Social Security card* or Birth certificate).

*Original Social Security card: If you would like to submit your social security card and do not have the original, you may apply for a card and submit your receipt until your card arrives. The Social Security Administration now has online services for residents of North Carolina available through its mySocial Security portal at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

If you are a new student and do not have a social security number, you will receive a letter from Human Resources/International Student Scholar offices to apply for a number with the Social Security Administration office. Once you receive this letter, contact SSA to schedule an appointment. Failure to apply for a social security number and present it to Human Resources within 90 days will lead to termination of employment.

Direct Deposit

The University strongly encourages the use of direct deposit as the most effective and efficient means of payment for services rendered. Enrollment in the University’s direct deposit program is mandatory for all University employees.

Important Payroll Information

Please note: Tax allowances will default to single/zero for US Citizens and Permanent Residences. Please note that the University strongly recommends that each employee present his/her original Social Security card to assure accurate payroll tax and retirement system reporting. If possible, please bring your original Social Security card, or official proof of application, when you visit the Human Resources department for your initial employment processing. If you are unable to locate your card, you may apply for a duplicate card by visiting your local Social Security Administration.

Criminal Background Checks

No. Students who are handling sensitive information, working with minors or animals, handling cash or cash equivalent, working with hazardous materials or driving University vehicles will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check.

Transferring Hiring Paperwork

The I-9 and hiring packet will transfer from one student job to other jobs on campus as long as you don’t have a year or more break between jobs.

Expectations of Student Employees

On-campus jobs are similar to any other type of employment. Students are expected to arrive for work as scheduled and to perform all work assignments as directed by their supervisor.

Recognition

Every year, Human Resources recognizes exceptional student employees who go above and beyond their job description. University offices and departments that employ students may nominate one student each year to be consider for the annual Student Employee of the Year Award.

UNC Charlotte as an Employer

Approximately 30,000 students learn, live, work and play on our campus. Charlotte ranked among America’s best mid-sized employers by Forbes over the last two years and among the top employers in North Carolina. We are hiring in many areas within our academic colleges and administrative departments.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Additional Job Opportunities

UNC Charlotte is accepting applications for adjunct or part-time faculty. These positions are temporary and usually involve teaching a particular course or courses for a particular semester.

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