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.
Student assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real student assistant resumes:
- 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.
- Update twitter account during eventsdesign social media graphics
- Advise incoming freshman and transfer students during registration.
- Supervise student athletes during study hall, including tutoring in mathematics
- Develop a Facebook page for communication and user support purposes.
- Pioneer initiative to securely digitize archive documents in adherence to FERPA standards.
- Communicate leadership and development program information to students, faculty, alumni and staff.
- Help troubleshoot the university network connectivity issues and handle incident tickets in technical issues.
- Provide awareness to alumni about the evolution on the university since their attendance and promote charity.
- Utilize organizational and time management skills to assist mathematics professors on grading homework assignments and exams.
Student assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Student Assistants are proficient in Customer Service, Front Desk, and Administrative Assistance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Patience, Communication skills, and Emotional skills.
We break down the percentage of Student Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 13%
Provided quality customer service; assisted with materials selections; familiarized and informed patrons of Library policies and procedures.
- Front Desk, 8%
Processed books for library circulation and operated front desk to aid library patrons
- Administrative Assistance, 7%
Provided comprehensive support for Directors and Administrative Assistance including scheduling meetings, and effectively managing all essential tasks.
- Financial Aid, 7%
Familiarize students with their financial Aid award and certification information required for completing the Financial Aid application process.
- PowerPoint, 6%
Created high quality PowerPoint presentations for the accountants, updating diligently address and data inventory in the customer relationship management system.
- Office Equipment, 5%
Performed basic clerical duties, operating various office equipment and followed all office procedure in order to increase office efficiency.
Common skills that a student assistant uses to do their job include "customer service," "front desk," and "administrative assistance." You can find details on the most important student assistant responsibilities below.
Patience. The most essential soft skill for a student assistant to carry out their responsibilities is patience. This skill is important for the role because "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult." Additionally, a student assistant resume shows how their duties depend on patience: "communicated efficiently to provide a superior customer service with patience actively supported stocking and salad preparation departments during peak business hours"
Communication skills. Many student assistant duties rely on communication skills. "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.," so a student assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways student assistant responsibilities rely on communication skills: "gained communication skills and time management by scheduling appointments, taking phone calls, and reporting back to my supervisor. "
Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for a student assistant to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what student assistants relies on this skill, since "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." How this skill relates to student assistant duties can be seen in an example from a student assistant resume snippet: "developed interpersonal communication initiated responsibility with assigned duties attended three ncaa tournaments"
The three companies that hire the most student assistants are:
- Stephen F. Austin State University107 student assistants jobs
- University of Alaska79 student assistants jobs
- Jacksonville State University22 student assistants jobs
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Compare different student assistants
Student assistant vs. Assistant language teacher
An assistant language teacher is in charge of performing support tasks for language teachers. Their responsibilities include preparing teaching and coursework materials, assessing student performance, taking attendance records, and holding lectures as a substitute for the teacher. They may also help students who are having trouble following and adjusting to the lessons, assisting them as needed. Above all, an assistant language teacher must monitor the students' progress, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between student assistants and assistant language teacher. For instance, student assistant responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "front desk," "administrative assistance," and "financial aid." Whereas a assistant language teacher is skilled in "cpr," "classroom management," "english-language," and "classroom environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Assistant language teachers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $31,308. Comparatively, student assistants tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $28,006.The education levels that assistant language teachers earn slightly differ from student assistants. In particular, assistant language teachers are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a student assistant. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student assistant vs. Special education instructional assistant
Special education instructional assistant does work under the supervision of the principal and other administrative workers, especially in school and college. They prepare the material aids which are helping to teach in the classroom. Moreover, they are more inclined upon the progress of students. Conducting the exams, preparing the notes, preparing the result and giving the instruction to the students about their life career and course books etc are the main duties of the special education instructional assistant. They preach, instruct, command and come up with the idea about making the school environment more friendly and viable.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real student assistant resumes. While student assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "front desk," "administrative assistance," and "financial aid," special education instructional assistants use skills like "cpr," "instructional materials," "autism," and "behavior management."
On average, special education instructional assistants earn a higher salary than student assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, special education instructional assistants earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $33,416. Whereas student assistants have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $28,006.In general, special education instructional assistants achieve similar levels of education than student assistants. They're 2.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student assistant vs. Student employee
Student employees are students who have a job within a school campus. Their duties may include working in the classrooms, cafeterias, and dorms. These employees receive a salary for their work, provided they maintain the grade requirements set by the school. The requirements for this position vary for every school. These may include having a minimum of 3.0 for graduates and 2.0 for undergraduates. They typically work 40 hours a week and may hold two or more positions to reach the required number of work hours.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a student assistant is likely to be skilled in "administrative assistance," "data collection," "event planning," and "research projects," while a typical student employee is skilled in "food safety," "food preparation," "public facilities," and "hr."
Student employees make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $25,582. On the other hand, student assistants are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $28,006.Most student employees achieve a similar degree level compared to student assistants. For example, they're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student assistant vs. Student worker
Student workers are students who are employed while also enrolled at the university. They usually work in a department or college where they handle different tasks. Most of the time, student workers are assigned to do administrative activities. Their tasks include sorting mail, sending outgoing mail, manning telephone lines, filing documents, updating records, liaising with other departments, and documenting meetings, among others. Student-workers may also be assigned to handle or assist in university-wide events and activities. They are expected to be technologically savvy so that they can really help out in the department they are assigned to. Student-workers should be responsible, trustworthy, and diligent.
Types of student assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
