Working on campus is an excellent way to develop transferable skills and make lifelong connections. Students from all academic disciplines find the flexibility, proximity and invaluable experience to be significant in preparing them for their future careers.
Read more below about some of the on-campus jobs you can apply for, and input from students about their on-campus employment experiences.
CAREER AND ADVISING CENTER
Students working in NDSU’s Career and Advising Center work as career mentors. Common duties include assisting other students with writing resumes and cover letters to help them stand out to employers and achieve their career goals. Career mentors also address other common student questions associated with internship and job applications.
Name: Abby Zimmerman
Major: Finance
Graduation year: 2024
Hometown: Lino Lakes, Minnesota
What’s the best part about working on campus?
My favorite part about working on campus is the flexibility. If I ever have something come up for school, whether it’s a group project that I’m working on or if it’s a trip for a club or something like that, I can always get my shifts off or get them covered relatively easily. I always feel supported.
What skills have you gained from this job?
I’ve learned a lot about how to have a professional conversation, how to accept an email invite. You really get to practice those things before you get out into the real world and have to do it every day.
What’s been your favorite thing about your job?
Definitely the people. The Career and Advising Center is a close-knit group. You get to know everyone. They’re always here to support us. We have some full-time recruiting coaches that are in charge of us and not only are they there to help us with our work, but they’re there to help us in our own journey of finding a job. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down with my boss and just talked her through everything that was on my mind. Just building those connections with the people has been really beneficial.
Name: Ava Gyolai
Major: Chemistry
Graduation year: 2024
Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota
What’s the best part about working on campus?
A lot of times you get to build your own schedule around your classes. You usually get to pick how many hours you’re working, what days or what times you’re working, which is something that you can’t do often off campus.
What skills have you gained from this job?
Working in the Career and Advising Center, I’ve learned a lot about applying for different jobs and I’ve been able to improve my resume just by bouncing ideas off other students. I’ve learned a lot of interviewing tips and tricks as well, which has come in handy as I’ve been applying and just got a full-time job after graduation.
What’s been your favorite thing about your job?
It’s been awesome to just have people to bounce ideas off and share what’s going on. They not only listen to you but give you professional advice that can help with applications.
DINING
A job in dining is broad. Students can choose to work at one of the three dining centers, at any of the food court locations in the Memorial Union, at one of the campus coffee shops, in catering and even in the Dining office. Roles range from serving and prepping food to working in marketing, accounting, nutrition and more.
Name: Alexis Faller
Major: Biological sciences
Year: Junior
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minnesota
What’s the best part about working on campus?
The best part of working on campus is it’s close. I live in Weibel Hall so it’s close to where I live. I don’t have to go outside if it’s snowing.
What skills have you gained from this job?
Communication skills because I work with a lot of different people. There are a lot of people staffed in Dining, and especially in Residence Dining Center, so I’ve gotten to know a lot of full-time staff members as well as part-time employees.
What’s been your favorite thing about your job?
I’ve really enjoyed being able to learn how to make coffee because I’m usually working in the coffee shop. I enjoy getting to interact with my fellow co-workers and getting to know the students. It’s a lot of the same customers that come to the coffee shop every day.
WELLNESS CENTER
The Wallman Wellness Center offers a variety of student employment opportunities. Students can help ensure students are staying safe while using the facility, work as a group fitness instructor, intramural official, lifeguard and much more.
Name: Mitchell Johnson
Major: Nursing
Year: Senior
Hometown: Rockford, Minnesota
What’s the best part about working on campus?
The best part about working on campus is making friends with all of my professors, other students and students that have different majors. It’s also a flexible schedule. Most staff here work about six to eight hours a week, which works great around social commitments and class schedules.
What skills have you gained from this job?
I’ve built a lot of leaderships skills. I started off working at the front desk and I’ve worked my way up to building manager. I’ve also worked with confrontation. Confrontation isn’t a fun thing to deal with, especially with your peers, but with lots of practice and in a safe environment like here at the wellness center it’s been great to improve on that.
What’s been your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part about working at the wellness center is the connections I’ve built with faculty and other students, especially friends from other majors who I would never have met unless it was here.
Schedule a visit to see what NDSU has to offer or apply today to start your own NDSU experience.
