Students

Part-Time Jobs & Experiential Learning

Are you interested in part-time employment opportunities and other experiences designed to help you learn about the workplaces and job functions in different types of organizations? There are a range of possibilities at UNC Chapel Hill to help you build the professional skills to complement your curricular activities!

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is an engaged learning process whereby students “learn by doing” and by reflecting on the experience. Experiential learning activities can include, but are not limited to, hands-on laboratory experiments, internships, practicums, field exercises, job shadowing, career treks, undergraduate research and more. These activities are key components of the UCS Four Steps to Career Success Model that build upon each other to provide you with the skills and confidence to achieve your career and life goals after Carolina.

What are the benefits of participating in Experiential Learning Activities?

  • Grow your network by meeting new professional contacts.
  • Get the “inside track” on upcoming job opportunities.
  • Gain professional skills to build your resume.
  • Clarify your job search focus and narrow (or expand) your career goals.
  • Discover new industry trends and occupations.
  • Improve your professional communication skills during interviews and networking.

What are the benefits of working part-time in college?

Part-time jobs provide students an opportunity to gain a range of job-specific and transferrable skills that are valued by myriad employers. University Career Services can help you to be strategic in positioning your part-time job experience when pursuing career-aligned internships, full-time jobs, entrepreneurship, or graduate school. Besides earning money to supplement living expenses while enrolled in college, other key benefits gained from part-time jobs are:

  • Build your resume with relevant professional experience (Employers love soft skills!).
  • Get ahead in the job market by connecting with employers and building a network of contacts.
  • Obtain 3+ years’ experience before receiving your degree.
  • Improve your financial literacy and money management skills.
  • Take opportunities to practice academic learning in the workplace.
  • Bring real-world experience to classroom discussions and team projects.

What departments hire students for on-campus part-time work?

Last Updated: October 2021

All of these employers hire non-federal work-study students for paid part-time opportunities on UNC’s campus.

Campus Rec

  • “As the largest student employer, you can be one of the 400 student employees hired each year. Work in a team-driven environment to develop real-world experience, and the top 5 qualities of professional growth: Customer Service, Personal Responsibility, Teaching, Risk Management, and Social Justice & Inclusion. We offer flexible scheduling, paid training, job promotions, and professional development opportunities.”
  • Typically hires a semester in advance

Carolina Dining

  • Has their own database of currently hiring jobs, students positions have the word “student” in the job title

Carolina Housing

  • “The mission of the Department of Housing & Residential Education is to create an inclusive on-campus housing environment that promotes development, citizenship, involvement and leadership. DHRE employs over 500 student staff year-round in various positions that range in time commitment and leadership experience.”
  • Usually hires a semester in advance for academic year positions due to summer training

Carolina Performing Arts

  • Has part time work positions such as house staff, production staff, ticket services, administrative associate, development associate, etc.
  • Periodically holds an employment fair during the spring semester (Pre-COVID)

Carolina Union

  • “Carolina Union's departments offer an array of job opportunities for students that can help you build professional or life skills in a variety of fields. By working at the Union, you will also help us uphold our mission to create safe, inclusive and educational experiences that help students maximize their time at Carolina.”
  • Typically hires a semester in advance

UNC Calling Center

  • Not technically considered an “on campus” job in terms relating to international students job guidelines
  • Usually year round but is closed during the summer
  • Located on Franklin Street

UNC Chapel Hill Libraries

  • “The University Libraries at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill employs over 400 Student Assistants each year in many different departments. The job descriptions of Student Assistants working in the University Libraries encompass a wide range of opportunities such as:  filing, typing, editing, shelving books, assisting patrons, checking books in/out, maintaining stacks, enforcing library policies, reserve processing, acquisitions, cataloging, online searching, maintaining operational hours, working with local databases, and other special projects.”
  • These opportunities become available during various times of the year (there is no set hiring timeline unlike other departments such as Campus Rec). If you are very interested in these opportunities, I would periodically check their vacancies because they can open and close within a week or two.

UNC Information Technology Services (IT)

  • "The ITS Service Desk is one of the first points of contacts for technological support services for students. The team provides 24/7 support through phones, chat, web and walk-in services. (While the University is operating remotely during the pandemic, hours and services have been adjusted.) The Service Desk is comprised of both full-time employees and student workers, so the opportunity to train alongside professionals is offered.

You can find on campus opportunities on Handshake as well. Type UNC-CH in the keywords bar and it will come up with organizations on campus that are hiring for variety of opportunities such as:

  • UNC-CH Temporary Services
  • UNC-CH ITS Classroom Hotline
  • UNC-CH Student Stores
  • and more

Quadjobs Database for part-time job postings

QuadJobs: QuadJobs is an app-based job portal that connects local employers with UNC students.  Employers can hire students for part-time and one-time jobs in the communities surrounding campus as well as for jobs that can be done remotely.  This service is free for all students.  Employers can communicate with and pay students directly through the app.  A small service fee will be charged to the employer.

Account registration for Students:

  1. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store
  2. Sign up with your school issued .edu email address
  3. Set up your profile page and your Stripe account to receive payments for jobs completed
  4. Start applying to jobs!

Account registration for Employers:

  1. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store
  2. Set up your account profile and enter the credit card you would like to use to pay students for your job(s)
  3. Feel free to connect with QuadJobs directly if you have any questions about posting opportunities

Note: Jobs posted on QuadJobs are not reviewed or evaluated by University Career Services. Only jobs promoted on Handshake and the JLD Program are evaluated by University Career Services.

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