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Student worker vs social services assistant

The differences between student workers and social services assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a student worker, becoming a social services assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a social services assistant has an average salary of $37,445, which is higher than the $25,735 average annual salary of a student worker.

The top three skills for a student worker include customer service, front desk and twitter. The most important skills for a social services assistant are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.

Student worker vs social services assistant overview

Student WorkerSocial Services Assistant
Yearly salary$25,735$37,445
Hourly rate$12.37$18.00
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs82,353152,760
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4243
Years of experience412

What does a student worker do?

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.

What does a social services assistant do?

A social services assistant is responsible for supporting the social needs of citizens within society. Social services assistants work within the community office or health institutions to assist patients and their families in processing their needs and obtaining medical information. They also coordinate with other organizations to gather additional resources and financial assistance to plan community programs that will be beneficial for society. A social services assistant provides counseling to the families to identify the services and referrals they needed.

Student worker vs social services assistant salary

Student workers and social services assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student WorkerSocial Services Assistant
Average salary$25,735$37,445
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $34,000Between $29,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYTacoma, WA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyResearch Foundation of The City University of New York
Best paying industryRetailGovernment

Differences between student worker and social services assistant education

There are a few differences between a student worker and a social services assistant in terms of educational background:

Student WorkerSocial Services Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessSocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY at Binghamton

Student worker vs social services assistant demographics

Here are the differences between student workers' and social services assistants' demographics:

Student WorkerSocial Services Assistant
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 17.0% Female, 83.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage10%11%

Differences between student worker and social services assistant duties and responsibilities

Student worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage club documents and advertise several events through Facebook.
  • Exhibit patient care CPR experience in CNA
  • Maintain neat appearance and cleanliness of the library.
  • Assist with maintaining the cleanliness of the dining room
  • Mow and edge lawns, using power mowers and weed eaters.
  • Provide excellent customer service while assisting students in completing online applications for FAFSA and admissions.
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Social services assistant example responsibilities.

  • Initial triage of members, administrative intake of members and managing the admission/discharge information post-notification.
  • Assist individuals and families in need with applications for food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, cash assistance and housing.
  • Develop, organize and conduct programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships and rehabilitation.
  • Verify Medicare coverage/ benefits/ obtain prior authorization.
  • Process specialize Medicaid applications receive from government agencies and social service organizations which require urgent processing.
  • Establish, maintain and generate military and community contacts structure to address various services available to respective patients.
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Student worker vs social services assistant skills

Common student worker skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Front Desk, 11%
  • Twitter, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Computer Lab, 4%
Common social services assistant skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Discharge Planning, 6%
  • Term Care, 6%
  • Community Resources, 3%

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