UWM Student Employment Opportunities: Powering Your Future
For University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) students, on-campus employment offers more than just a paycheck. It's an opportunity to connect with mentors, strengthen your path to graduation, develop competencies that support long-term career success and transform your workplace into a learning hub where students apply academic knowledge, refine their skills, and emerge career ready. This is an investment to power your future.
Navigating the Hiring Process: Key Updates
UWM is committed to streamlining the student employment experience. Human Resources maintains an online database to help client groups track the status of students as they move through the hiring process. To that end, UWM transitioned from the current HR system (HRS) to Workday on July 7. These updates and changes will impact hiring and payment of student employees.
- Time Entry: From June 28 to July 5, students would enter time as normal (accessing through my.wisconsin.edu).
- Manager Responsibilities: As of Go-Live on July 7, the student employee’s manager who is currently listed as the “Reports To” in HRS will be responsible for viewing and completing supervisory tasks for each of their employees. This includes approving timesheets and updating/correcting them when necessary.
- Start and End Dates: For new hires, “Paperwork Date” will no longer be available as a projected start date. A specific start date will now be required. An “Employment End Date” will now be required for all student hires. If you do not have a specific end date, it is recommended to use the end of the current academic year.
- Hiring Form: This form should be utilized to hire a new student hourly appointment or re-hire a student hourly appointment. A Student Hire Request should be submitted for the new position.
- Work Authorization: International students may begin working after the on-boarding/new-hire paperwork is completed. Resident student hourly employees may continue working up to the final day of the pay period they are graduating in. New student employees may begin working on or after the day they complete their New-Hire Paperwork.
- Work Hour Limits: Students holding multiple jobs must remain under 40 hours per week across all jobs. If there is an expectation or possibility of working beyond 40 hours per week, please work with your HR Business Partner to assess FLSA status and determine compliance requirements.
- Timesheets: Timesheet: used when students aren’t able to immediately enter their time in HRS.
UREC: Your Opportunity is Here
Calling all students! Want to make the most of your university experience? Your opportunity is here - submit your Employment Application now and be a part of the University Recreation team.
University Recreation (UREC) offers a wide range of employment opportunities for UWM students. By submitting your Employment Application, you’re taking the first step towards an incredible journey. Flexible schedules, a supportive community, and opportunities for growth - it’s all waiting for you. Don’t miss out on this chance to level up your college adventure with University Recreation.
All UWM enrolled students are eligible for hire with UREC, however, students will need to commit to an 8-12-hour weekly schedule. In these roles, some positions may require previous experience. These positions value strong leadership and communication skills. Candidates will interact with diverse individuals, including staff, students, and community members of various backgrounds, requiring excellent interpersonal abilities. Mandatory attendance at UREC training and orientation sessions equips new hires for success. In summary, candidates interested in this role should meet academic, scheduling, and interpersonal criteria.
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Available UREC Positions
UREC offers a variety of positions to suit different skills and interests, including:
- Aquatics:
- Lifeguard Training (American Red Cross LGT, r): This person is responsible for conducting instructional aquatic courses aimed at skills and knowledge pertaining to the specific area of instruction, Learn To Swim Levels as prescribed by the American Red Cross. An emphasis must be placed on maximizing safety while delivering positive customer service at all times.
- Required Certifications: Water Safety Instructor certification and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, ARC or equivalent is required. CPR instructors are required (at a minimum) to hold a valid Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers Instructor certificate, or preferably hold a Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certificate.
- Fitness:
- UREC Fitness Attendant: The UREC Fitness Attendant will provide a high level of customer service while supervising the UREC Fitness Center, enforcing policies, cleaning equipment, and ensuring a safe environment.
- UREC Personal Trainer: The UREC Personal Trainer will educate clients on proper exercise techniques, conduct fitness testing, and develop safe and effective exercise programs.
- UREC Group Exercise Instructor: The UREC Group Exercise Instructor will design and teach safe and effective group exercise classes to a variety of fitness levels. Instructors will educate participants on proper form, anatomy, contraindications and modifications, while creating a fun and safe environment.
- Intramural Sports Official: At UWM Intramural Sports, our officials are integral to the success of our contests within the Department of University Recreation. To excel in this role, you’ll need a strong understanding of the sport’s rules and the ability to manage various in-game situations effectively. Our officials interact with diverse groups of participants on a nightly basis, placing a strong emphasis on prompt and courteous communication. While we appreciate officiating experience, most of our new hires come with only high school playing experience, though neither is a requirement.
- Customer Service:
- Information Center Staff: The Information Center staff serves patrons as a front-line representative of UREC. They control access to the Klotsche Center and Pavilion through use of the Membership Management System.
- Outdoor Pursuits Student Staff: All Outdoor Pursuits student staff work as BOTH a Customer Service Representative and a Trip Leader with the option to be trained as a Bike Mechanic. If hired, this position would start attending weekly staff meetings through the end of the Spring 2025 semester. These meetings are to prep for the mandatory Staff Training Trip the week after Spring graduation. Starting the following week, all newly trained staff have the opportunity to work part time through the Summer. Additional mandatory trainings in September, January, and April.
- Facility Services Worker: The Facility Services Worker serves our patrons by cleaning activity & other areas of the facility.
- Marketing and Communications:
- UREC Social Media Specialist: The UREC Social Media Specialist professionally and positively posts and engages on UREC social media platforms to tell the story of UREC and increase awareness.
- UREC Graphic Designer: Create fun, eye-catching graphics to promote University Recreation programs including Group Exercise Classes, Intramural Sports and Outdoor Trips. Designs will be needed for social media, TV screens in the Klotsche center, and large scale printed banners (up to 8’x8’) to hang in the Union. Turnaround time is usually quick.
- UREC Videographer: The UREC Videographer will capture and edit professional videos showcasing UREC’s fitness classes, sport programs and more. Flexible hours including occasional nights and weekends to capture footage of our events. Expect to work about 6-8 hours per week, some remote.
- UREC Photographer: The UREC Photographer will capture and edit professional digital images ranging from fast paced sports to still staff shots. Photos will need to be edited in a a quick turnaround time to be used to effectively promote UREC on social media. Some photos will also be used for large scale printed posters. Creativity, initiative and independent work skills are a must!
- Special Events Staff: Special Events provides a flexible schedule for staff to work during Athletic Competition events held at the Klotsche Center. Special Events staff will be responsible for the safe and efficient setup and tear down of all equipment in the Klotsche Center Arena. Qualified applicants will be independent workers who are able to work in a physical, fast-paced, team environment. Significant physical and manual labor is required.
Student Success Stories: Real-World Impact
UWM student employment provides valuable experiences that shape future careers. Here are a few examples:
- As an information technology management major, Jamie works at UWM’s Help Desk as a desktop support supervisor.
- Nina is a conservation and environmental science major and works in UWM’s Office of Sustainability. “I’m in charge of the garden beds in front of the Physics Building and do a lot of the composting on campus.
- Mia graduated from UWM with a degree in social work. As a UWM student, she was a program coordinator in the Women’s Resource Center on campus.
- Davien, a dance major, is a resident assistant (RA) on campus and an essential part of UWM’s student support system. He says, “Within my first weeks as an RA, I’ve had so many knocks on my door from new students who just need someone to talk to.
- Maddy, a film studies major, applied to work as an orientation leader and was later promoted to team lead.
The Value of Good Supervision
Effective supervisors play a crucial role in student employee success. Here are some examples of what makes a great UWM supervisor:
- Gina Nicoli: “Gina is a very lively and wonderful person to be around. She is incredibly accommodating, too."
- John Contreras: “John can get everyone laughing and then down to business in an equally effective way. His humor creates a jovial environment that is fun to work in and be a part of."
- Amanda Soika: “Amanda’s kindness and ability to treat every student who enters our office with equality is inspiring. She helps me with school and work and will even give me advice on my resume."
- Beth Traylor: “Beth is always making sure we are comfortable and feel safe."
- Christine Wolf: “Christine is an outstanding supervisor because of her ability to set clear expectations. She has a talent for understanding the unique strengths of each employee."
- Dyanna Czeck: “She is awesome to everyone across the board and is truly caring."
- Katie Rose: “I am lucky enough to be working under Katie. She is all around great and personable. She is even working to help me get connections outside of work and painting so I can find a permanent position for after graduation. Her genuine nature is very evident."
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