Work-Study Program
The Work-Study Program is designed to assist with the costs of a college education by making part-time jobs available for students. Students have the opportunity to work for funds needed to attend college to study—hence
the name of the program. The term Work-Study does not imply that students literally study while on the job—and students should not feel entitled to do so. Rather, Work-Study jobs afford wonderful opportunities to develop skills and gain insights into career interests. Since Work-Study is an integral part of many Pacific students' campus experience, and so replete with educational potential, the Career Development Center is dedicated to helping students to derive the maximum educational benefits from the program.
Work-Study is awarded to students by the Office of Financial Aid and is redeemed as wages for work they perform in qualifying jobs. Work-Study jobs can be located on campus, in local non-profit organizations, and in governmental or community service agencies. All Work-Study jobs are coordinated by the Career Development Center and therefore must be approved and posted by its staff. Students are encouraged to choose jobs that will complement their educational and career goals, and jobs are required by federal law to coincide with students’ educational goals to the extent feasible.
All participants in the Program—students and supervisors alike—should keep in mind that its primary goal is financial support in the form of educationally purposeful work. While certainly supervisors should expect and require meaningful, productive work contributions from students, they should keep in mind the overall Program goal. Work-Study should NOT simply be regarded as a convenient staffing solution. Supervisors not prepared to embrace the educational goals of the Program should not participate. With the variety of jobs available, the opportunities to develop skills, gain experience, and explore interests are plentiful, and supervisors should design positions with these Program goals in mind. Our mission with the Program is to help students embrace these opportunities as they formulate and pursue their vision of career success.
Required Work-Study Paperwork
Supervisors are provided with information throughout the year by the Career Development Center on the steps and paperwork involved in posting jobs, hiring and supervising students, and maintaining program records. For instance, before students may begin working, they need to visit the Career Development Center and obtain an Employment Authorization form. Further instructions are on the form and can be explained to students by career staff. Download the Job Request form for submission of new job descriptions (MS Word doc).
Work-Study Job Posting Process 
Work-Study jobs (and all CDC work opportunities) are posted at www.careercenterjobs.org. This site is maintained by the Pacific University Career Development Center, but accessible to students of other liberal
arts colleges and universities in Oregon
as well. Only Pacific University currently
uses the site for posting Work-Study jobs. Supervisors may view their positions online (view as a "Job Seeker"), and should let us know when postings need
to be removed and when edits to specific job descriptions need to be made. Every effort is made to update the www.careercenterjobs.org web site on a daily basis.
The major opportunities to secure Work-Study jobs are the Work & Service Fairs that occur the first Thursday of Fall and Spring semesters. More information about these fairs is available on the events calendar and in Chapman Hall. The deadline for students to obtain community service Work-Study positions is typically the second Friday after the Fall Work & Service Fair.
ATTENTION WORK STUDY SUPERVISORS: Download your materials
- Work-Study Supervisor Participation Manual (Adobe - PDF)
- Work-Study Job Request Form (MS - Word)
- Work-Study Supervisor Training Presentation (MS - PPT)