Samantha Tumlos, Work-Study Coordinator, Career Services
Earn While You Learn: UofM’s Work-Study Program
Looking for a part-time, on-campus job? Look no further!
The Work-Study Program at the University of Manitoba is one of the many experiential learning opportunities available to students. Experiential learning – learning through personal, academic or professional experience – helps students put theory into practice and develop industry skills and career-related experience.
As students, we learn different subject areas and learn about theory, history, research, formulas and methods of applications. But we rarely have the chance to see how this knowledge applies to our future careers. Increasing our work-related experiences now will significantly increase our success in the workplace later.
So, how exactly can we combine school and valuable work experience?
The Work-Study Program – a partnership between Career Services and Financial Aid and Awards – provides students the opportunity to apply academic learning and gain professional and technical skills while working in a paid part time position with on-campus employers. It is a subsidized program designed for students using government student aid or band sponsorship packages.
Work-Study is a great way to become familiar with a work environment, develop job-specific skills, and enjoy the convenience of working and studying all in one place!
I started applying for positions as early as August, when the application process commenced. I submitted tailored resumés and cover letters, as well as other required documents, for each of the nine positions that I applied for. After landing an interview with Career Services, I was offered a job. Not only did I have a position for the school year, it also opened up an opportunity for full time summer employment, and now I am the work-study coordinator.
During my Work-Study position this past year, I was able to hone many skill areas. For example, I was able to improve my expertise in digital technology when updating webpages, organizing file documents, using Microsoft Office Suite tools and providing basic technical assistance. This experience also gave me the opportunity to improve my presentation and personal management skills by providing clear and up-to-date information as well as maintain professionalism in various workplace situations. Planning, organizing and problem solving skills play significant roles when hosting events and workshops, tackling daily tasks, meeting deadlines and ensuring high quality of services. Overall, my experience in this position is a helpful step towards my ultimate career goal: to become a Human Resources Professional. Work-Study is definitely an opportunity you do not want to miss out on!
Technical and transferrable skills and valuable experiences that we gain from school, work or leisure all adds up and contributes to our future professional career. If you are a student who wants to make the most out of your university experience by participating in the Work-Study Program, visit the Work-Study webpage for more information.
Students can apply for positions beginning August 15th. Deadline to apply is September 12th.
If you are not eligible, do not let this stop you from pursuing career-related experience early in your studies. Please visit Career Services at 474 University Centre, or their webpage to know more about your options outside of Work-Study.
For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them. – Aristotle