Succeeding in Your Student Employment Position

Student employment is an opportunity to earn income, contribute to the Augustana community, build professional skills, and prepare for future work. Your supervisor will explain the expectations specific to your position, but all student employees share the responsibilities below.

Understand Your Role

  • Review your responsibilities, schedule, and performance expectations.
  • Complete required training before working independently.
  • Ask questions when instructions or priorities are unclear.
  • Learn how your work contributes to the department and the people it serves.

Be Reliable

  • Arrive on time and ready to work.
  • Follow your agreed-upon schedule.
  • Notify your supervisor as early as possible if you will be late or absent.
  • Follow departmental procedures for schedule changes and time-off requests.
  • Complete assigned work carefully and by the expected deadline.

Communicate Professionally

  • Check and respond to work-related messages promptly.
  • Use the communication method established by your supervisor.
  • Ask for clarification instead of making assumptions.
  • Communicate respectfully with students, faculty, staff, community partners, and visitors.
  • Raise concerns early so they can be addressed.

Record Your Time Honestly

  • Clock in only when you begin working and clock out when your work ends.
  • Record breaks accurately.
  • Review your timesheet and report errors promptly.
  • Never clock in or out for another student.
  • Never report time you did not work.
  • Do not work during a scheduled class.

Falsifying work hours or remaining clocked in while not working is time theft and will result in disciplinary action or termination.

Protect Confidential Information

Your position may provide access to student records, personal information, financial information, internal communications, or other sensitive material. Follow your supervisor’s instructions and never share confidential information with unauthorized individuals.

Balance Work and Academics

  • Treat academics as your primary responsibility.
  • Track your combined work hours across all positions.
  • Plan ahead for exams, major assignments, performances, athletic travel, and other commitments.
  • Discuss scheduling concerns with your supervisor before they become attendance or performance problems.
  • Follow all college and federal work-hour limits.

Learn From the Experience

  • Ask for feedback and use it to improve.
  • Notice the skills you are developing through daily tasks and challenges.
  • Ask to learn new responsibilities when you are ready.
  • Keep examples of projects, accomplishments, and problems you helped solve.
  • Practice explaining how your experience connects to future opportunities.

During a Reflect & Connect conversation, consider:

  1. What are you learning in this role?
  2. How are you learning it?
  3. Why does this learning matter to you?
  4. How will you use this learning in the future?

Address Problems Early

Begin by speaking with your supervisor when you have questions about your schedule, responsibilities, training, feedback, or workplace experience. Contact Student Employment when you need additional guidance or do not feel comfortable addressing the issue directly with your supervisor.

Leaving a Position

If you decide to leave your position, speak with your supervisor and provide reasonable written notice. Complete outstanding work, return college property, submit your final timesheet, and help create a smooth transition.

Helpful Resources