Jobs & Internships
Most Frequently Asked Questions
About Getting a Part-Time Job or Internship
- Where are all your job listing sites?
- When should I start looking for an internship, part-time job, or summer job?
- How can I get a job if I have no job experience?
- What can I do to increase my chances of finding a good job?
- What are some benefits of student work experience?
- What salary can I expect?
- How many hours can I work as a student?
- How can I research employers?
- Can I have someone review my resume?
- Can I receive credit for an Internship?
- Why can't I get a job?
Additional Links:
- REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for all employment
- Work-Study Information
- System Access and Eligibility
- Complete Student Employment Help
Where are all our job listing sites?
Search the Student Employee Request (ER) system for all work-study
and on-campus non work-study jobs. Search SlugQuest for off-campus full and part-time jobs. Internships are listed in both systems.
When should I start looking for an internship,
part-time job, or summer job?
Begin searching in the preceding fall semester in order to take
full advantage of all the resources and job listings available to
you. Some deadlines to apply are very early in the school year.
If you begin looking early, you will have the time to conduct a
thorough job search even though your academic schedule may be demanding
of your time. See Syestem Access for eligibility and access dates.
How can I get a job if I have no job experience?
Employers value skills developed through academic work, volunteer
experiences, extracurricular experiences, or other experience which
demonstrates skills useful in work. Not all of these skills are
job type specific; some of these skills are general such as communication
skills and analytical skills, and can transfer to different settings.
And routine types of student jobs can demonstrate to employers that
you have been a successful employee.
If a job does require some very specific experience, you might consider
finding a more routine position in a setting similar to where you
would eventually like to hold a job with greater responsibilities.
What can I do to increase my chances of
finding a good job?
In addition to looking at our job listings, diligently network with
people who may have contact suggestions for you, approach employers
of interest to you directly, be sure you have put your best effort
into writing your resume and are prepared to handle interview questions
well. consider being more flexible if you are having difficulty.
For a summer position, can you consider other geographical areas?
Be sure to attend our Job Search Strategies workshop. Or talk with
one of our Career Counselors or Jobs Developers if you need additional
information. Also see Why I Can't Find a Job for more information.
What are some benefits of student work experience?
In addition to wages earned, student work experience is valuable
for exploring fields of work which you may wish to enter after graduation.
Experience develops new skills and strengthens existing skills.
Work experience helps you establish professional contacts in a potential
field of interest. You will be able to demonstrate work accomplishments
in your resume.
What salary can I expect?
Salaries vary according to experience and skill required, year in
school, type of position, and location of the business. Students
working in Santa Cruz county can expect to earn around $8-$17/hour
and up depending on the position.
How many hours can I work as a student?
If possible, wait to commit to a job until you can determine how
much free time you will have beyond your course work, extracurricular
activities, and some quality time for yourself. It's important to
remember that the Career Center receives job listings year round
so choose your job selectively.
When classes are in session, students are encouraged to work less
than 20 hours per week.
How Can I research employers?
To find information about a specific employer, you may want to conduct
a web search. With so many companies on the web, it is possible
to do a lot of your research from home. Most pages contain an overview
of the company, annual reports, and products.
Some pages also have information regarding career opportunities
and may even have a link to current job openings.
Can I have someone review my resume?
Yes, Contact our Career Advisors. If you need help beginning or
revising your resume, attend a resume workshop or look at the section
of Services for Students & Alumni.
Can I receive credit for an internship?
Yes, internships can be paid, non-paid, or you can receive academic
credit. You need to talk with the appropriate departmental advisor.
The advisor can provide you with forms that will have to be signed
by the student and professor.
We know how frustrating it can be to be looking for work and it seems particularly difficult this year. UCSC hires over 4,000 students each year and most students, who actively search, are able to find jobs. The main thing is perseverance. All campus jobs must be applied for on-line using the ER system.
There are new jobs posted almost every day throughout the year, particularly near the beginning of each quarter, so check often. Jobs are approved for posting all day long, but most are approved in the mornings. You must apply for numerous jobs to increase your chances of being hired. Follow up with jobs you have already applied for.
Network by talking to supervisors at dining halls, the gym, library, or any place you think you might want to work. Almost all campus departments hire some students. Some high turnover units may have job openings that may never get posted. In the world of career employment, 80% of jobs never get advertized and are found through networking connections. Talk to your professors about working for them, and talk to students that already have jobs.
To improve your chances of success, submit a high quality application. Create a saved application, under “My Applications” and print it out to proofread. Be sure to check spelling and include any volunteer work you may have done as well as other information about your strengths and skills. Supervisors receive large numbers of applications, and a simple spelling error may cause them to go on to the next. Please read the job description and qualifications thoroughly as some positions ask for extra information, such as a resume and/or cover letter.
If you have work-study, you may also apply for non work-study campus jobs and consider the SlugQuest jobs and internship listings as well. The only difference between work-study and non work-study jobs is the source of funds. You may apply for either type of position and there is no penalty if you do not earn your work-study award.
The main Career Center portal for off-campus career and part-time jobs and internships is SlugQuest which is accessible here:
https://ucsc-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?signin_tab=0
Other local Santa Cruz job search resources are located here:
http://careers.ucsc.edu/handouts/job_web_sites/sc_websites.html
Consider meeting with one of our Career Advisers to help assess the skills necessary for the positions for which you are applying, review your application and/or resume, and explore other job possibilities.
http://careers.ucsc.edu/student/advising.html
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