There are a lot of ways to pay one’s way through college. A few fortunate students receive huge scholarships or are independly wealthy. Others borrow money and graduate with staggering debts. Some milk what they can from Mom and Dad.
What about working on campus? Many students miss out on this little gem. About 22,000 students are enrolled at De Anza College, but only about 1,000 of them take advantage of this. Students can get through college with De Anza literally paying their fees.
Student employment is not only helpful to financially needy students, but it’s of significant importance to international students who are not allowed to work off campus.
One way to find a job at De Anza is to look for flyers posted on campus – around the bookstore, cafeteria and library. Jobs are frequently available in some of the support departments, such as the media center, mailroom, learning center, disability resource center and in campus security. A way to find a job in a smaller department is to ask around – a lots of professors and staff need help.
Remember those tutors – the ones you never went to for help because you were too smart? There’s more to tutoring than getting a tutor, perhaps you can be one.
Often the jobs have requirements, such as being enrolled in at least six units. That’s easy. An average class is four units.
Another is that you keep your GPA above 2.0. The guidelines for being a tutor are stricter: a grade of “B” or better and an instructor recommendation is necessary for each subject you tutor.
Another form of student employment is federal work study, where students work on campus and the wages are paid by the government. If a student’s family makes less than $100,000 a year, is self-employed, receives no income from a business or does not receive alimony, he or she may qualify.
To get a work study position, students must fill out the Free available, they may be able to receive grants, loans and work study money. The Financial Aid Office has a binder of job descriptions that work study students can choose from. Work study jobs in-Work include assistant cashiers, admissions and records clerks, teachers’ assistants and office work for the school newspaper.
Getting fired is rare, but can happen if a student doesn’t keep up the required grade point average or drops below six units. Of course, insubordination, arriving late and stealing are fireable offences.
The salary schedule for students consists of four levels, staring at $8 per hour. From there, the salary can go up to $14.75.
At the first level, previous experience is rarely necessary. Students with entry-level jobs are expected to be learning as they work and will be trained and well supervised.
At the second level, an applicant will need to show the ability to A high school diploma is a must, along with some training and a year of past work experience.
The third level requires special skills, which might mean you’ve taken required courses and you have specific knowledge, in an area. It pays up to $12.75 an hour.
If you’re truly outstanding and experienced, you can get the coveted $14 - $14.75 per hour pay. Outstanding means two years of past experience, specialization in the particular field, college courses for that subject, expertise with the necessary tools and computer programs and the ability to work independently and with good judgment.
Can you handle it? There’s opportunity at De Anza, for not only making money, but for gaining job experience. You might even be able to find a job in your field, which can help in your future on your resume.
Instead of bankrupting yourself with debts, get a job and turn the system in your favor.

JACLYN CISE



Job/Title: Occupational Training Institute Clerical Assistant.

Started De Anza: 7 months ago

How long have you worked at De Anza: 6 months.

How did you get this job: I used to be an Occupational Training Institute student, and a worker just asked me if I wanted the job.

How many hours/week do you work:
15 hours/week.

What is the hardest part of your job: Multitasking. There are always people coming in and out.

Is it hard to balance work with school (rate 1-10 with 10 being the hardest): 10. I’m being serious. It’s always about choosing which one to do first. I’m double majoring right now, and since I’m also a mom, there is no free time.

Ideal Job: Nutritioinist.

NGAN NGUYEN



Job/Title: Library Desk Assistant.

Started De Anza: 1 year ago.

How long have you worked at De Anza: 3 quarters.

How did you get this job: My friend saw it on a job message board and recommended it to me.

How many hours/week do you work:
13 -14 hours/week.

What is the hardest part of your job:
The hardest part is dealing with students who have bills and don’t
know it. They get really angry.

Is it hard to balance work with school (rate 1-10 with 10 being the hardest):

6. It’s hard to schedule classes with work. You have to make sure they don’t conflict.

Ideal Job: Car salesman.

JASPER WONG

Job/Title: Drop-in Tutor (L-Building).

Started De Anza: 1 year ago.

How long have you worked at De Anza: 2 quarters.

How did you get this job: It’s easy for me to explain accounting concepts.

How many hours/week do you work:
During the summer, around 8 hours/week.

What is the hardest part of your job:
Sometimes people say they understand something. But when I give them practice, they don’t know how to do it. It’s hard to help them if they don’t want help.

Is it hard to balance work with school (rate 1-10 with 10 being the hardest):

3-4. No problem. Since I’m a drop-in tutor, I can do my stuff when I have no tutees.

Ideal Job: Morgan Stanley finance.

BRYNN SOLD

Job/Title: Open Media Lab Assistant.

Started De Anza: 1 year ago.

How long have you worked at De Anza: 4 quarters.

How did you get this job: I just applied for it.

How many hours/week do you work:

On average, about 20 hours/week. In the summer, about 12 hours/week.

What is the hardest part of your job:

People always argue when they return things late and there is a fine. I just say I’m sorry, but it’s late. If they’re still too stubborn, I just tell them they can talk to my supervisor.

Is it hard to balance work with school (rate 1-10 with 10 being the hardest):

7. I’m taking more classes now.

Ideal Job: Sit at home and make music.
I play the guitar.

ERIKO DEMILTA

Job/Title: Office Assistant for Tutorial Center/Self Paced Skill Center.

Started De Anza: 3 years ago.

How long have you worked at De Anza: 6 months in this positon.

How did you get this job: I used to work as a Japanese tutor, so I knew Sandy (the supervisor).

How many hours/week do you work:
Maximum of 24 hours a week.

What is the hardest part of your job: There are more responsibilities. I’m on my own here. I need to get out of this cubicle a lot.

Is it hard to balance work with school (rate 1-10 with 10 being the hardest):

6-7. I was a waitress at one point during the school year and taking chemistry.

Ideal Job: Occupational Therapist.

PHUONG DAO

Job/Title: Cashier at Registration Office.

Started De Anza: 2 years ago.

How long have you worked at De Anza: 1 year.

How did you get this job: When I applied and qualified for financial aid, they offered me a work study program
for a job on campus.

How many hours/week do you work:

Usually around 10-15 hours/week.

What is the hardest part of your job:

The hardest part for a cashier is memorizing all the codes in the system.

Is it hard to balance work with school (rate 1-10 with 10 being the hardest):

1. It isn’t hard at all.

Ideal Job: A bank. Maybe Wells Fargo.
I really like working with numbers.

Federal Work Study Student Checklist

• Must be enrolled in at least 6 units at De Anza College.

• Responsible for keeping records of gross earnings and terminating all work once the work study award has been earned.

• Permitted to work up to 25 hours/week when school is in session.

• Permitted to work up to 40 hours/week during De Anza vacation periods.

• Not allowed to work holidays or overtime (over 8 hours/day) or over 40 hours/week.

• Must take a meal break of at least one half-hour after 4 hours of work unless the total shift does not exceed 5 hours.

• Responsible for all entries on time cards. The student signature is verification that all hours are correct.

• Eligible for workers compensation for any work related injuries or illness.

• Not eligible for unemployment compensation.