Student Job Opportunities
Student employment at Earlham offers more than just a paycheck — it’s a chance to grow personally and professionally. Through a variety of on- and off-campus opportunities, you can earn money while gaining real-world experience that strengthens your resume.
Many positions help you develop transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, like communication, time management, problem-solving and teamwork. Some jobs may align with your academic interests, while others let you explore new paths and passions.
Working as a student helps you connect more deeply with the Earlham community, build lasting relationships and prepare for what comes next — whether that’s graduate school, a career or service work.
Types of student employment
There is a wide range of positions available for students on campus, from giving campus tours or helping in the Academic Enrichment Center to working on Miller Farm or providing service in the Athletics and Wellness Center.
While certain positions are reserved for students who qualify for financial aid, opportunities exist for all Earlham students. With a weekly limit of 10 hours, you’ll have the flexibility to balance work with your classes, extracurriculars and social life.
Earlham offers a variety of employment positions throughout the college’s different departments. On Handshake, you will see positions in the Wellness Center, Math Department, Science Departments, Admissions, Student Life, Language Departments, Environmental Studies Departments, Social Studies Departments, Fine Arts and more.
You don’t need to have a career interest in a certain department to apply for one of their positions! Take your time as you browse different positions on Handshake and apply for the ones you feel best suit your interests and work style.
All standard on-campus student jobs are open to any domestic students at Earlham. When applying for jobs, make sure to confirm they are standard positions and not designated for work-study.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a type of student employment offered to students based on their financial aid status. The work-study program is funded in part by the Federal Government. These positions are typically reserved for these students and are more service-focused. Our on-campus work-study positions typically take precedence over standard on-campus positions as they are need-based.
Applying for Work-Study positions is exactly like applying for standard student jobs! Just browse Handshake and use the “Work-Study” filter.
If you are unsure of your work-study eligibility, you can reach out to [email protected] to find out what positions you are eligible for.
Earlham is proud to partner with local organizations in Richmond and Wayne County to offer off-campus work-study positions. Just like on-campus work-study, these positions are only available for those who qualify for FWS through their Financial Aid status. Off-campus work-study is usually based around service to the community in some way. Typical off-campus work-study positions include classroom assistants, tutors, civic educators, civic engagement workers, disability aides, caretakers and more.
Previous partners have included organizations such as the Richmond Friends School, Girls Inc., Richmond Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County and more!
For an outside organization to partner with Earlham for work-study positions, they must be located in the Richmond area as well as be a federal, state, or local public agency, or a public or private non-profit organization with a 501c3 tax designation.
As with work-study, some international students are eligible for international work awards, dependent on their financial aid status. Work awards allow these international students to apply for and secure jobs on campus that they otherwise would not be eligible for. International students wondering about their work award status should refer to their I-20 Form, contact their international advisor, or contact Earlham Financial Aid at [email protected].
International work awards can only be used for positions on Earlham’s campus. This means, unlike the work-study program for domestic students, International Students cannot work with outside partner organizations.
Even though international students cannot work off-campus, there are still ample opportunities for employment at Earlham! Be sure to check Handshake regularly for new job postings that interest you. There is no work award filter on Handshake, so use the “WorkStudy” filter to find jobs that you are eligible for.
Just because school is out of session doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done on campus! Students living in the Richmond area can work campus jobs throughout the Summer and Holiday breaks.
Typical jobs throughout the summer include positions in the Wellness Center, Campus Services Center, Student Life, Admissions and more. Some positions will be posted specifically for the Summer session, while others may simply be continuations of existing positions.
Unlike the 10-hour per week restriction during the school year, domestic student employees during the Summer and Holiday breaks can work up to 40 hours per week! International work-award students are still limited to 10 hours per week during school breaks.
If you are interested in work during school breaks, be sure to check Handshake for open positions. If you already have a student employment position, talk to your supervisor about the possibility of working during a summer or holiday break.
Employment eligibility
Student employment awards are need-based funds, so be sure to complete the FAFSA to be considered. Both domestic and international students have the option to put the money they earn through work awards towards either their student account (to pay for semester bills, expenses, or fees) or to keep the money and use it for personal expenses.
Domestic students
Domestic students who are financially eligible may receive Federal College Work-Study (FCWS) or another work program as part of the financial aid offer, which grants approval to work on campus to help offset college expenses.
The typical campus job is based on 10 hours a week, at the current campus wage, for a full academic year. Students may earn up to that dollar amount. Although most campus jobs are reserved for Federal College Work-Study students, a limited number of positions are available for those without work-study status. Sometimes these students find positions as teaching assistants, tutors or certified lifeguards. Students hired for a position on campus must complete state and federal paperwork with Student Payroll in the Office of Human Resources, found on the lower level of Carpenter Hall.
International students
International students may receive an allotment called “Work Award.” Employment opportunities for international students in the U.S. are restricted by law.
Students who receive a work award as part of their financial aid package may work a limited number of hours on campus only. Students hired for a position on campus must complete state and federal paperwork with Student Payroll in Human Resources, found on the lower level of Carpenter Hall.
More information and resources
Earlham is a community like none other. Our students and faculty are partners in learning, seeking truth wherever truth may lead. Learn more about Earlham at the links below.