Work-Study Jobs Help LBCC Students Earn Money

Work-Study programs are allowing students to earn money to pay for their tuition without leaving their campus.

Many students who use financial aid to pay for college education are eligible for involvement in the federally funded Work-Study programs available at select schools. This need based program places students in a variety of different jobs in which they can earn paychecks that are applied directly to their tuition and fees.

According to the United States Department of Education, "Students can receive [Federal Work-Study] funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions."

Linn-Benton Community College is one such institution, and it offers a variety of Work-Study job positions, all of which are posted on its website.

Marci Johnston has been working at LBCC for eleven years, and for the past two, has been involved in coordinating student placement into Work-Study jobs around campus. When asked about the benefits of the program, she said that “it is flexible around your schedule, whereas a lot of employers aren't as flexible."

According to Johnston, there are 157 positions available at LBCC every academic year. Some are available during the summer, but not as many as during the rest of the year. Some students “try and gain new job skills, and others go for something light hearted and fun, like food service," Johnston said.

Some students enter into these programs and discover career interests they hadn't previously explored. Michelle Slay works in the Career Center at LBCC and began working there as a Work-Study participant. “In my case," said Slay, “Work-Study turned into employment later on down the road."

When asked if the Work-Study program is beneficial to the school, Slay said “Yes. There are some things that we, as staff, would not be able to get done without our 'Work-Studies'...what they give to us is so valuable." Sometimes, she said, volunteers fill positions around the office. In many cases, however, “the office would probably just go without that help,"if it weren't for students participating in the program.

Slay said that there is likely some Work-Study position that everyone would enjoy doing.

At a glance:
What: Johnston and Slay discuss the benefits of Work-Study programs
Where: LBCC Career Center
Contact: Marci Johnston and Michelle Slay
More Information: US Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fws/index.html)
LBCC Career and Employment Services: 541-917-4780