For many students, it can be challenging to balance academic responsibilities with financial needs, but on-campus jobs for students offer the perfect solution. These positions provide a convenient source of income without the hassle of a long commute. They can help students develop academic skills and make valuable connections, all while accommodating their class schedules.

Depending on one’s skill set, the Villanova University Employment website has a student job that is fit for everyone. Whether one prefers the high pressure of being an intramural referee or the peace and quiet of restocking bookshelves, Villanova offers a plethora of on-campus jobs that allows students to gain relevant experience for future internships and careers. With competitive pay and opportunities for raises, campus employment is a smart way to grow professionally while pursuing a college degree.

Campus jobs can be career-focused, helping students gain worthwhile expertise in their future field of work. Junior Aryan Patel has a research position with the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He experiments with CO2 state conversion for sustainable energy use, as an alternative to natural gas, to help reduce emissions.

“Having a job provides responsibility with academic and work balance,” Patel said. “I’m glad Villanova gave me the opportunity to work on my own project and pay me to do something I enjoy, [which is] not something you get with other schools.”

Patel’s research position not only complements his mechanical engineering studies, but also gives him hands-on experience that directly impacts his future in engineering.

Junior Jadyn Piotrowski has a more traditional on campus job, as she is the Marketing and Communications Student Assistant for Falvey Library. This job has allowed her to strengthen her communication skills, as well as engage with the campus community in ways that go beyond her academic life.

“​​I put up flyers and set up for events that I often would otherwise not know were happening,” Piotrowski said “Over the years, I’ve been able to build relationships with other undergrads, graduate students and the library staff.”

Student employment at Villanova has evolved significantly over the years, and no one understands this progression better than longtime member of the Villanova community Evan Dorsey. The longevity of Dorsey’s influence on campus holds strong, with more than 35 years of experience as a student, student employee and staff member at Villanova. Dorsey currently works as a Level One Classroom Technology Specialist on campus.

“Years ago, some student positions were regarded as socially unacceptable and looked down upon due to the climate of the time, especially if those positions were among the lowest-paying positions,” Dorsey said. “[When I was a student here,] there was a lot less diversity and less racial sensitivity, so certain students working certain jobs were viewed as ‘less than’ or ‘poor.’”

Today, student employment is not only widely accepted, but seen as a valuable opportunity for growth.

“Such positions provide the structure, skills, professional training and the life lessons needed for internal advancement and future-fulfilling employment,” Dorsey said. “Students get to work with other students they may have never met had they not chosen to work during college and sometimes form lifelong friendships.”

This shift in perspective highlights campus jobs as stepping stones to personal and professional development, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone involved.

If students find themselves scrolling through the employment website, they may originally only focus on the “salary information” tab. However, it is important to remember that student campus jobs can be bridges to career advancement, personal connections and offer far more than just a paycheck.