Money makes the world go round or brings it to an abrupt halt. Along with academic stress comes financial strain, which first-years will soon come to realise as they experience the effects of inflation on student life. However, if you are looking for a practical solution that incorporates flexible working hours, skills development, networking, and mentorship among faculty and peers, all while earning a decent income within one’s immediate vicinity, on-campus employment might be the most convenient.
The job market at UP is incredibly vast, ranging from faculty-specific tutoring roles to residence-centred House Committees and administrative positions such as library support. These are all part-time, term-based opportunities that become available when vacancies arise. Based on the experiences of two employed students, here is a guide on the different routes that can be followed to secure a job.
For Regis Ndove, a third-year Computer Engineering student, the intention was to boost his CV and earn an extra income. Securing a tutoring position within your faculty simply requires reading the department’s emails. Other platforms to keep an eye on for vacancy advertisements include the university portal, career services emails, notice boards, and social media posts. The minimum qualification needed is passing the specific module exceptionally well, thus highlighting how crucial maintaining academic excellence is. Along the way, he emphasises how to “not let the opportunity pass you by due to doubt and fear of rejection and not coping”.
Although balancing a job and academic commitments may seem challenging, the skills acquired are rewarding, as attested by final-year BSc Computer Science student Lufuno Mphagi who served as a student IT lab technician. “This not only teaches time management and planning skills, but also serves as an opportunity to network by conversing with experienced seniors and supervisors who are always willing to share useful advice in handling the job.” Additionally, completing the Ready for Work programme on your clickUP portal accelerates skills development and provides resources for career planning. This programme, being specifically designed for UP students, consists of one quiz for each of the five packages of six to eight modules respectively. A certificate of completion is then awarded, enhancing your professional profile and increasing your chances of employability and work-readiness within UP.
Applying for an on-campus job may seem complicated, but a pattern emerges across most applications, which is subject to adjustments specific to the job. Most applications require a concise and tailored CV, no longer than two pages. Creating and continuously updating a professional profile on platforms such as LinkedIn and Leaply can aid in keeping track of achievements and prior commitments for when you are drafting a CV. Other supporting documents to have on standby are your proof of registration, current academic transcript, and a personalised motivational letter.
Notably, some jobs have distinct requirements including a minimum GPA, affiliation with certain societies or residences, and various technical skills.
Keeping an eager eye out for advertisements on multiple communication platforms, not only for vacancies but also for events hosted by the potential employer, ensures a competitive advantage. Moreover, submitting early applications, professional correspondence, and interview etiquette are likely to place you in the most favourable position.
What may present as a minor invitation of employment could be an opportunity that helps you meet financial needs, gain experience, and feel more integrated into the campus community. The trick is staying proactive and exploring different options.
Visual: Daniel Green
