Wayne State University: A Gateway to Diverse Career Opportunities
Wayne State University (WSU), a premier public urban research institution in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, offers a multitude of career opportunities for individuals seeking professional growth and a vibrant work environment. With a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity, and inclusion, WSU provides exceptional educational opportunities and prepares students and employees for success in a diverse, global society. Whether you're a prospective faculty member, staff member, graduate student, or current student, WSU has a place for you.
Opportunities for Faculty and Staff
Wayne State University consistently seeks talented individuals to join its faculty and staff. Open positions span various departments and colleges, offering diverse opportunities for career advancement. Examples of faculty positions include:
- Assistant Professor, Teaching, Counselor Education
- Assistant/Associate Professor, Teaching in Sport Administration & Management
To explore all available university positions, interested individuals can visit the university's career portal.
Wayne State University provides an environment for career growth and satisfaction for those searching for an administrator position or professional employee position or seeking to become a part of our faculty or staff.
Graduate Student Opportunities: Assistantships
For graduate students, Wayne State University offers a range of assistantship opportunities that provide valuable experience and financial support.
Read also: Affording Wayne State University
Types of Assistantships
Graduate assistantships at WSU come in various forms, each offering unique responsibilities and benefits. These assistantships provide students with opportunities to work alongside faculty and staff, contributing to the university's mission while gaining practical experience in their field of study.
Graduate Assistant - College of Education, Division of Academic Services
One such opportunity is a Graduate Student Assistant position within the College of Education, Division of Academic Services. This role, typically spanning from June to May of the following year, involves assisting the advising team in outreach and intervention efforts aimed at identified student groups, such as students on probation or those who have stopped out. The assistant develops academic recovery plans and enhances student skills to benefit their academic, professional, and personal success.
Additional responsibilities include:
- Assisting with university orientation and divisional outreach efforts to attract, register, enroll, and retain diverse student populations.
- Collaborating with campus resources to support students and provide one-on-one and group coaching related to academic success.
- Coordinating study groups, including support for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification.
- Assisting in implementing divisional student success strategies through community-building activities, workshops, cohort initiatives, mentoring, leadership programs, and conferences.
- Assisting in the recruitment, training, development, and supervision of work-study students, student employees, and/or volunteers.
- Providing advising support to students as needed.
- Assisting with data analysis and auditing.
This position requires availability to work evenings and weekend hours as requested and necessitates having your own transportation.
Minimum Qualifications
To be eligible for this Graduate Student Assistant position, candidates must:
Read also: A Guide to Wayne State Transfer Scholarships
- Hold a bachelor's degree and be admitted to and enrolled in a Wayne State University graduate degree program.
- Meet Good Standing requirements as a Graduate Student.
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team setting.
- Possess strong interpersonal and human relations skills to effectively interact with faculty, administration, staff, parents, and students.
- Exhibit sensitivity to the needs of a pluralistic and non-traditional student population.
- Be able to encourage and empower students to make their own decisions.
- Act as an advocate for both the student and the university.
- Identify students' needs for support services and make appropriate recommendations.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrate excellent organization, technological, and collaborative skills.
- Exhibit a strong focus on detail and task completion.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include enrollment in a doctoral program and experience in higher education as an undergraduate or graduate student.
Compensation and Benefits
The Graduate Student Assistant position offers a tuition scholarship that provides payment for up to 10 graduate credits for each of the fall and winter semesters and up to two graduate credits for the spring/summer semester appointment. The scholarships will only cover graduate credits listed on a student's Plan of Work.
Certificate of Relevancy
A Certificate of Relevancy is required, ensuring that the position duties do not include work reasonably expected to be used for the student’s dissertation, thesis, essay, or independent or directed study, or other work for the primary benefit of the student’s research, scholarly, or education program. The work must be professionally appropriate for a graduate student in their field.
Assistantship Forms and Policies
Wayne State University has established forms and policies to govern graduate assistantships, ensuring fairness and transparency in the appointment and employment of graduate students. These policies cover various aspects of the assistantship, including eligibility, responsibilities, compensation, and conflict resolution.
Assistantships Frequently Asked Questions
The university provides a comprehensive FAQ section addressing common questions about graduate assistantships. This resource covers topics such as the application process, eligibility requirements, responsibilities, compensation, and benefits.
Read also: Wayne State Academics
View All Opportunities for WSU Students
Students can explore all available graduate assistantship and other student employment opportunities through the university's online job portal.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
Wayne State University and the GEOC (Graduate Employees’ Organizing Committee - American Federation of Teachers) are committed to equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and non-harassment. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, veteran status, height, weight, ethnicity, religion, creed, political affiliation, political beliefs, membership in any social or political organization, national origin, caste, ancestry, marital/relationship or parental status, caregiver status (i.e., providing care for a dependent person), age, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, or HIV status. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, and termination.
The university's policy prohibits sexual harassment, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all members of the university community.
Career Services: A Holistic Approach to College-to-Career Success
Wayne State University's Career Services offers a holistic approach to achieving College-to-Career (C2C) success. The department promotes the exploration of career pathways through internships, micro-internships, networking, and opportunities that challenge your career assumptions and ideas. Career Services stresses the importance of adaptability, self-reflection, and continuous learning, providing guidance, resources, and tools to enhance students' professional growth.
First Destination Survey
The First Destination Survey helps Wayne State improve resources for future grads. After completing the survey, you can meet with a Career Advisor to map out your post-graduation journey and make your next steps even clearer.
Additional Employment Opportunities
Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ)
The Associate Director, Policy, and Outreach promotes the development of policies, regulations, and practices to enhance prevention, deflection, and diversion opportunities across the state as part of a team at the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ). The Director will work in collaboration with the Michigan governmental (state/local) administration and key regional and national partners. Coordinate with CBHJ team members and external partners on developing and supporting policy initiatives and efforts. Facilitate collaboration and coalition-building strategies with new and current partners, including identifying, scheduling, and attending meetings. Partners include MI Michigan Housing Development Commission (MHDC), Michigan Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Crisis Services, 911 State Council, pilot sites, regional and national partners and others as required to build success. Analyze existing regulations, policies, and legislation to identify areas of improvement or revision in an effort to meet project goals (e.g., funding, training, implementation). Participate in exercises such as cost-benefit analysis, review of administrative data sets, and collection of data to inform policy decisions. Write press releases, blog posts, and policy updates.
University Libraries
Positions within the Wayne State University Libraries range from hourly wage, student jobs to full-time staff and professional librarian positions. Libraries across campus hire students for a variety of positions.
Student Positions
Anyone currently enrolled at Wayne State University can apply for student positions. Most student jobs are available during Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters. Previous library work is helpful but not necessary. Libraries are usually looking for skills in working with people, typing, foreign languages, computers, filing, or audio-visual equipment. You also should have flexible hours and good work habits.
tags: #wayne #state #university #career #opportunities

