Student Employment + initiative enhances opportunities for students, faculty and staff members

In a time when jobs and internships, either for credit or not-for-credit, are difficult for students to come by, a student employment initiative will enhance the opportunities at Grand Valley while providing experiential learning.

Student Employment + (SE+) was initiated by the Student Employment Office with support from the Career Center and the Division of Inclusion and Equity to create a better employment experience for students and supervisors while working remotely during the summer. Positions will continue in-person format when campus reopens.

Rachel Becklin, senior associate director in the Career Center, said these positions offer students the opportunity to learn and earn. Some  of the positions that would classify as SE+ might already exist.

“We are trying to identify current positions that are already SE+ by designating them as such,” Becklin said. “We want to motivate the creation of new positions in light of the student need for seamless learning and employment.”

This initiative also provides GVSU with a cost-effective way to complete projects and tasks that will advance the mission and goals of departments or units. SE+ work could allow departments to address projects that have otherwise been put on the back burner. Becklin said some of the work might include conducting research on a lead practice, or redesigning a department website.

She said continuing to gain professional development skills and the ability to work independently, even if students can’t be on campus, is crucial. Departments are also able to gain insight to the student experience by having an SE+ employee.

“This supports high-impact learning that we know enhances retention and propels our mission of preparing students to go out in their profession and society prepared to succeed,” Becklin said.

SE+ jobs would be designated as such in Handshake and compensation will start at $10.15 an hour to reflect the work students will be engaged in.

Informational training for departments and supervisors will begin May 21. To learn more about Student Employment +, visit gvsu.edu/studentjobs/seplus.