UCCS Student Employment Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a rapidly growing institution, offering a multitude of student employment opportunities that provide valuable experience, professional development, and financial assistance. More than 1200 students are employed year-round in roles crucial to the University’s success. These on-campus positions allow students to earn a paycheck while developing essential skills and contributing to the UCCS community.
Why Work at UCCS?
Working at UCCS offers numerous benefits beyond a paycheck. Students gain invaluable experience, develop professional skills, and build lasting relationships. They learn professionalism and how to work in a serious setting, taking away important understandings on integrity, diversity, and service. On-campus employment provides mentorship opportunities, allowing students to learn from experienced professionals and peers. Students master consistency, timeliness, and other crucial skills. Moreover, they learn problem-solving skills in a fast-paced setting and have the opportunity to work for a good cause.
Types of Student Employment Opportunities
UCCS offers various types of student employment, catering to different needs and skill sets. These include need-based, non-need-based, and student hourly roles.
- Need-Based Positions: These positions are subsidized by federal, state, or institutional funds and are awarded primarily to students who will benefit greatly from the opportunity to earn a paycheck to support their college degree.
- Non-Need-Based Positions: Subsidized by state or institutional funds, these positions are awarded to students enrolled in at least six credits who would like to work to help pay for their tuition.
- Student Hourly Roles: These positions are available across various departments and entities on campus, offering students the chance to gain experience in diverse fields.
Featured Departments and Opportunities
Several departments at UCCS offer robust student employment programs, each with unique opportunities for skill development and professional growth.
University Center and Event Services (UCES)
Welcome to The University Center and Event Services (UCES) team, the premier student employment program here at UCCS. The University Center and Event Services (UCES) team is dedicated to serving students, faculty, staff, and the regional community. UCES prides itself on its positive working culture, authentic team relationships, and commitment to personal and professional development. Many professional development opportunities are available to staff and include on-campus workshops, seminars, and staff development days. In addition to campus events, UCES encourages staff members to engage with regional and national professional associations and are permitted to attend annual conferences to further their development.
Read also: Academic Success at UCCS
UCES offers a dynamic environment where students can develop professional, leadership, and organizational skills. Bradley notes, “UCES is another family for me.” UCES has identified several areas of focus to enhance employment, all student employees have the opportunity to learn and develop into these six competency areas:
- Communication: Interact through various forums with peers, constituents, and administration.
- Problem Solving: Identify problems, analyze various approaches, reflect on ideas, and consider multiple perspectives.
- Accountability and Ethical Behavior: Learning to incorporate values into decision-making, while acting with integrity.
- Team Influence: Build healthy relationships based in respect, work collaboratively, and lead teams by empowering action in others.
- Impact on others: Appreciate individual differences, manage resources in sustainable ways, and actively participate in community.
- Managing emotions/stress effectively: Set and achieve goals, communicate effectively, maintain healthy balance with time, finances, physical health and personal interests.
UCES offers a wide range of student positions, including:
- Event Operations Student Lead: Responsible for overseeing several student work groups and lead/assist in complex event set-ups, responds to emergencies, troubleshoots issues, light custodial duty, and securing the University Center/associated areas.
- Conference Services Student Lead: Responsible for Conference Service’s office administrative tasks as well as receiving external client inquiries relating to conferences held on campus through the Kx event software. This position will serve as the primary marketing support liaison. The position will also support conference and event needs for external clients and members of the UC & Event Services team.
- Scheduling Student Lead: This position is the first point of contact for on-campus clients reserving event spaces and serves as the primary scheduling liaison.
- Information Desk Student Assistant: This position is responsible for the general operation of the Information Desk and should assume a helpful, friendly, and responsible attitude at all times. Must be trustworthy and able to work with confidential information and cash handling responsibilities. Basic duties include answering the phone, handling money and sales transactions, dissemination of information to students, staff, faculty, and the general public.
- Production Coordinator: Promotion from Production Technician. This position’s primary responsibilities are to schedule production assistants for daily and large event setups, finalize event setup details with Event Coordinators, and provide leadership and day-of support to production teammates and clients.
- Production Specialist: Promotion from Production Technician. This leadership position mentors other Operations students through technical event setup, operation, and strike.
- Senior Production Specialist: Promotion from Production Specialist. Responsible for event teching and leading large-event setups, operation, and strikes.
- Production Assistant: Promotion from Production Assistant. This position works with teammates to provide outstanding customer service for events. Responsible for accurate event preparation through furniture and audiovisual equipment setup, operation, and strike.
UCES recognizes that working for them can be challenging at times. To face those challenges, students now have access to a bevy of support as they progress through this program and work towards attaining their degree. Other than a direct supervisor, student lead, and teammates, all of our department leadership and full-time staff are here to help students grow your professional experience. The goal is to support students in challenging themselves to work hard and obtain the skills needed to be successful in their future profession.
Residence Life and Housing
UCCS Residence Life and Housing is a great office to get involved with to prepare for future employment.
- Resident Assistants (RAs): RAs work with students, faculty, and staff to promote a socially, culturally, and educationally enriching residential community. In this role, RAs develop life skills to become healthier, mindful, and authentic individuals within their campus experience and beyond.
- Front Desk Assistants (FDAs): FDAs are responsible for the operation of the village front desks - they are the face of Residence Life and Housing. This is a great position to develop customer service and organizations skills.
How to Find and Apply for Student Employment
On-campus departments and entities are able to post positions for students, leading to powerful partnerships. Thousands of students work on campus each year in need-based, non-need-based and student hourly roles. To find and apply for student employment opportunities at UCCS, students should regularly check the UCCS career services website and individual department websites. Networking with faculty and staff can also lead to valuable leads.
Read also: Student Accessibility Services at USF
Read also: Guide to UC Davis Student Housing
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