What does a work-study assistant do?
A work-study assistant's responsibilities depend on his/her or her place of employment. His/Her or her duties include processing paperwork, responding to inquiries, and maintaining records. The essential skills that a work-study assistant should possess to accomplish his/her or her responsibilities include good writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills. The education requirements to qualify for the job include obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree in the field of business, psychology, and criminal justice.
Work-study assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real work-study assistant resumes:
- Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
- Create metal screens for the expo center windows.
- Operate multi-line phones, fax machine, copier.
- Disperse all checks administer to the SPC community.
- Remove trash, vacuum carpet, clean windows, operator cleaning equipment
- Stay up to date on the federal loan and FAFSA guidelines.
- Follow HIPAA guidelines and are always mindful of good office etiquette.
- Help other students with FAFSA information, filing and helping sort through documents with other departments of the school.
- Assist in developing, coordinating, and conducting PowerPoint presentations to personnel.
- Communicate directly with alumni and new students concerning alumni programs and services.
- Hone skills in organization to successfully support the office in developing alumni engagement.
- Document contact and benefit information provide to veterans and eligible dependents for future reference and reporting requirements.
- Learned interpersonal communication and organization.
- Learned interpersonal communication and organization.
Work-study assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Work-Study Assistants are proficient in Financial Aid, Data Entry, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Interpersonal skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Work-Study Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Financial Aid, 23%
Assisted with student registration* Assisted with financial aid document preparation and filing* Advised on course selection and guidance/major declarations
- Data Entry, 15%
Performed basic office operations: handled confidential paperwork, organized office, answered telephones, data entry and management.
- Customer Service, 13%
Demonstrated excellent phone, email, and in-person communication skills for positive customer service experience.
- PowerPoint, 5%
Assisted in developing, coordinating, and conducting PowerPoint presentations to personnel.
- Front Desk, 5%
Performed administrative and clerical duties to include creating data spreadsheets, answering calls, greeting front desk clients and scheduling appointments.
- Alumni, 3%
Facilitate ongoing relationships within the Alumni Relations office * Daily administrative duties creating proficiency in programming
Most work-study assistants use their skills in "financial aid," "data entry," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential work-study assistant responsibilities here:
Writing skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a work-study assistant to have is writing skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." Work-study assistants often use writing skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "tutored peers in calculus, writing and religion coursesassisted students to find information in the librarycreated professors' powerpoint aids"
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform work-study assistant duties is interpersonal skills. Work-study assistants responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Work-study assistants also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "learned interpersonal communication and organization. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for work-study assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how work-study assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a work-study assistant: "conduct various administrative tasks as well as research pertinent to organizational goals. ".
The three companies that hire the most work-study assistants are:
- State Bar of Michigan39 work-study assistants jobs
- Liberty University
35 work-study assistants jobs
- University of Florida31 work-study assistants jobs
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Work-study 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, work-study assistant responsibilities require skills like "financial aid," "data entry," "customer service," and "front desk." Meanwhile a typical assistant language teacher has skills in areas such as "cpr," "classroom management," "english-language," and "classroom environment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Assistant language teachers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $31,308. Comparatively, work-study assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $26,124.The education levels that assistant language teachers earn slightly differ from work-study assistants. In particular, assistant language teachers are 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a work-study assistant. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Work-study 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that work-study assistant responsibilities requires skills like "financial aid," "data entry," "customer service," and "powerpoint." But a special education instructional assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cpr," "instructional materials," "autism," and "behavior management."
On average, special education instructional assistants earn a higher salary than work-study 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 work-study assistants have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $26,124.special education instructional assistants earn higher levels of education than work-study assistants in general. They're 5.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Work-study assistant vs. Special education assistant
A special education assistant is responsible for supporting class activities in an inclusive classroom setting, assisting students with their tasks under the supervision of a special education teacher. Special education assistants create comprehensive lesson plans which adhere to the students' curriculum and special needs. They also help with developing engaging activities to promote an active learning environment while monitoring the students' personal and social behavior. A special education assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, ensuring the progress of the students by regular interaction, and managing their needs.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from work-study assistant resumes include skills like "financial aid," "data entry," "customer service," and "powerpoint," whereas a special education assistant is more likely to list skills in "paraprofessional," "behavior management," "iep," and "cpr. "
Special education assistants make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $32,645. On the other hand, work-study assistants are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $26,124.special education assistants typically earn higher educational levels compared to work-study assistants. Specifically, they're 6.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Work-study assistant vs. Floater/assistant teacher
Floater assistant teachers help a homeroom teacher in their daily undertakings inside the classroom. They provide assistance with evaluating every student's activities and ensure that routines are followed and done on time. They make sure students are taught well and are physically and mentally present in the classroom. Also, the floater assistant teacher helps in maintaining the orderliness of the classroom visited.
Types of work-study assistant
Updated January 8, 2025











