Each college, division, or department on-campus has their own way of advertising available jobs for students. Below you will find information on how and where to find available student employee job opportunities at USC.
Eligibility Requirements
Before you start searching for a student job or working as a student employee, review the following criteria to ensure that you meet eligibility requirements.
Any student who is at least 16 years of age, is enrolled at USC on a full-time or part-time basis and is associated with the university primarily in the pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree.1
- Any student who is enrolled for the summer term,
- Any student who is registered during the prior spring term and is planning to continue as a student during the fall semester, and
- New students who are accepted for the next fall term and have registered for fall classes. (Students who qualify for summer employment on this basis will be eligible for hire no earlier than June 1.)
International students are permitted to work on-campus as part of their immigration status. There are different types of work authorizations depending on the purpose of employment and the student’s immigration status. Visit International Student Services for more information.
Work Study
Federal Work-Study is a financial aid program funded by the federal government and administered by the university. Students can find employment to help pay for college expenses beyond tuition bills both on campus or in community service agencies. The Office of Financial Aid provides more information on Federal Work-Study eligibility and requirements. To review all current available jobs, visit the work study Find a Job page.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistants teach classes, conduct research, serve as resident advisors, work in athletics or handle day to day administrative tasks. Many assistantships are awarded at the time of admission, but opportunities may also be available for current students. Visit the Graduate School for more information on graduate assistantships.
Job Boards
Departments that rely heavily on student employees typically maintain job boards where you can explore and apply to open positions. Departments on the Columbia campus that frequently employ students include:
Campus Recreation
Career Center
Graduate School Opportunities Bulletin Board
Handshake – USC Career Center’s online recruiting database to connect with employers, search for
part-time jobs, review career fair/event information, and manage on-campus interviewing.
Every USC student has an account automatically created for them. Visit the Handshake website to enter your USC credentials and activate your account.
Housing
Student Orientation
Student Success Center
Undergraduate Admissions
Visitor Center
Other Employment
In addition to those departments that routinely employ students, many positions are filled at the school or department level through fliers or simply word of mouth. If you wish to work for a specific school or unit, it is a good idea to contact them directly about available jobs.
Experiential Learning and Internships
The Career Center provides information about internships, co-ops, service opportunities and other off-campus jobs.