By: Angel Asomugha, Lion’s Eye Editor, axa1519@psu.edu

Attending college should not be a student’s only focus. Yes, a focus on academics and getting good grades is key to success, but college is also a time to network and create valuable lifetime friendships. One of the ways to achieve this is to find a job on campus.  

There are different ways Penn State students are able to work on campus. Students are able to work through the Federal Work Study program, Pathway to Success `summer Start (PaSSS) and the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement program or by looking at PSU Brandywine student employment website.

Each of these programs gives students different avenues for working on campus. Although all three programs are different they share a common goal of helping students find convenient employment and eventually guiding them to find a career after graduation.

Each of the programs that are offered by Penn State Brandywine has certain requirements that must be filled or meet. 

Work study is a type of program that is federally funded and is offered through the Free Application For Federal Student Aid. For students who are looking into working through work study, they need to sign up for it on their financial aid application to be considered or approved. The funding will take the form of financial aid. 

PaSSS is usually offered to incoming freshmen and allows students to start off their college career in the summer, before their freshman year, allowing them to earn six credits and to work as well—either during the summer or when the fall semester starts. Claire Nolan, Enrollment Services Specialist describes it, “PaSSS is a great opportunity for students to get acclimated to college life. PaSSS students take two courses in the summer and can also choose to work on campus through the program.”

The Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement office is that works hand-in-hand with Federal Work Study as well. Vippy Yee, as the director, focuses the employment efforts to those with community partners, which can be both on and off-campus. Students from all majors are encouraged to seek employment; some of these positions can be funded through federal work study funding as well.

If a student does not qualify for any of the funded programs they can still apply for salaried position as a regular employee and go through the application process to be considered. Some of the other places where students can work is the Blue Apple Café, library, mailroom and the gym. Try psu.jobs for more information.