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Special projects assistant vs student assistant

The differences between special projects assistants and student assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special projects assistant has an average salary of $36,997, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for a special projects assistant include powerpoint, policy issues and administrative tasks. The most important skills for a student assistant are customer service, front desk, and administrative assistance.

Special projects assistant vs student assistant overview

Special Projects AssistantStudent Assistant
Yearly salary$36,997$25,439
Hourly rate$17.79$12.23
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs21,68529,093
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a special projects assistant do?

A special projects assistant is someone who is in-charged in the organization and management of company projects whose purpose varies depending on the industry and type of organization. Special projects assistants should be able to ensure that company projects comply with the budgetary requirements and that staff complete each phase of the project within the set timeframe. The requirements to qualify for the position include possessing strong communication and interpersonal skills and a bachelor's or master's degree.

What does a student assistant do?

Student assistants are university students who are working part-time for a staff member or department. They are usually assigned to do administrative or clerical activities to help ease the load of their supervisor. They may manage files and information dissemination channels of the department. They may extend assistance during the registration period by helping other students fill out forms, managing the department's enrollment procedure, or doing any other activity required by their supervisor. They may also be asked to mentor younger students. Student assistants should be organized and trustworthy.

Special projects assistant vs student assistant salary

Special projects assistants and student assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Projects AssistantStudent Assistant
Average salary$36,997$25,439
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $54,000Between $17,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYAlbany, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkRhode Island
Best paying companyUrban InstituteNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between special projects assistant and student assistant education

There are a few differences between a special projects assistant and a student assistant in terms of educational background:

Special Projects AssistantStudent Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Special projects assistant vs student assistant demographics

Here are the differences between special projects assistants' and student assistants' demographics:

Special Projects AssistantStudent Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 34.5% Female, 65.5%Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 8.6% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between special projects assistant and student assistant duties and responsibilities

Special projects assistant example responsibilities.

  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Process deposits weekly in PeopleSoft.
  • Maintain Medicaid paperwork and skil some in sign language.
  • Help create a user-friendly online billing program concept to streamline Medicare claims billing.
  • Develop and maintain networking database including: social media through the website, twitter, blogs, and Facebook.
  • Assist students with science relate coursework including: nursing, chemistry, biology, physics, and earth sciences.
  • Show more

Student assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Adhere to all aspects of FERPA and student confidentiality guidelines.
  • Answer phone, run errands, take messages, help office manager
  • Order, open and distribute office supplies weekly, and run errands.
  • Clean and stock supplies in restrooms, wash windows, walls and fix light fixtures.
  • Perform CPR during emergency rotation.
  • Show more

Special projects assistant vs student assistant skills

Common special projects assistant skills
  • PowerPoint, 11%
  • Policy Issues, 10%
  • Administrative Tasks, 8%
  • Office Equipment, 8%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Press Releases, 5%
Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%

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