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What does a work study student do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Work-study students are students who do part-time jobs to support their living and educational expenses. Usually, they offer their services in an organization related to their field of study. Work-study jobs are available either on or off-campus, depending on the student's application and the campus or employer's needs. They must be able to display excellent time-management skills to handle and balance work time and school responsibilities. A work-study student should also be fast-learner and open to constructive feedback to improve their job performance.

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Work study student responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real work study student resumes:

  • Follow all HIPPA policies and procedures.
  • Retouch images for the workshop posters using photoshop.
  • Help with photography, Photoshop and video production.
  • Post media about opportunities in mathematics (e.g.
  • Maintain a high GPA and academic performance while working.
  • Make phone calls regarding FAFSA deadlines and career services.
  • Identify and troubleshoot local area network issues (excellent with cabling/punch downs).
  • Clean windows, glass partitions and mirrors using soapy water, surface cleaner and sponges.
  • Upgrade 20 new computers to windows 10 from 8.1 and configure wireless router for each.
  • Create perfect attendance, GPA, and other certificates to be given to students at assemblies.
  • Assist students in completing their FAFSA applications, help students complete their verification, and answer financial aid relate questions.
  • Enforce HIPAA and confidentiality requirements.
  • Create presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and similar software.
  • Maintain alumni mailing lists and update their non-confidential documents and files.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation and records, specifically alumni records and obtaining current addresses.

Work study student skills and personality traits

We calculated that 38% of Work Study Students are proficient in Work-Study, Customer Service, and Veterans. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Organizational skills, and Customer-service skills.

We break down the percentage of Work Study Students that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Work-Study, 38%

    Career Services Work-study b. Intramural Referee

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Provided customer service and financial aid education to TMCC students including information of verification of eligibility and student loans and grants.

  • Veterans, 7%

    Coordinated and collaborated with Workforce partners to include Workforce Business Services Units to ensure optimum employment and training opportunities for Veterans.

  • Front Desk, 7%

    Maintained front desk procedures including contact information, directions and frequently requested company information.

  • Computer Lab, 4%

    Collected and maintained student identification upon entering and leaving the computer lab.

  • PowerPoint, 4%

    Created engaging, dynamic PowerPoint presentation to showcase project involving assessment of issues related to hazardous waste creation and disposal processes.

Common skills that a work study student uses to do their job include "work-study," "customer service," and "veterans." You can find details on the most important work study student responsibilities below.

Organizational skills. Many work study student duties rely on organizational skills. "general office clerks file and retrieve records," so a work study student will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways work study student responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "developed customer service, communication and organizational skills. "

Customer-service skills. This is an important skill for work study students to perform their duties. For an example of how work study student responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "general office clerks often provide general information to company staff, customers, or the public." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a work study student: "greeted veterans and guests, answered questions and directed them to the proper individual(s). ".

Detail oriented. work study student responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "general office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills." This resume example shows what work study students do with detail oriented on a typical day: "display an above average organization skill for paper work/filing illustrate an above average attention to detail when entering data for students"

Most common work study student skills

The three companies that hire the most work study students are:

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Compare different work study students

Work study student vs. Administrative clerk

An administrative clerk provides support to staff and does clerical works. These clerical duties include answering and making phone calls, typing documents, compiling and filing records, and scheduling appointments. The clerks often set up office meetings and invite reliable speakers. Also, they do research and prepare reports or presentations. Candidates for the job must be organized, detail-oriented, and can manage their time well. They must be tech-savvy and have a basic knowledge of bookkeeping. The salary depends on their experience, industry, and location of the job.

We looked at the average work study student salary and compared it with the wages of an administrative clerk. Generally speaking, administrative clerks are paid $7,745 higher than work study students per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between work study students and administrative clerks are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like customer service, front desk, and powerpoint.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between work study students and administrative clerk. For instance, work study student responsibilities require skills such as "work-study," "veterans," "computer lab," and "alumni." Whereas a administrative clerk is skilled in "data entry," "patients," "payroll data," and "database systems." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Administrative clerks really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $33,044. Comparatively, work study students tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $26,294.The education levels that administrative clerks earn slightly differ from work study students. In particular, administrative clerks are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a work study student. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Work study student vs. General office clerk

A general office clerk is responsible for performing various clerical duties to support business functions and ensure smooth daily operations. General office clerks respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, welcoming guests, and assisting in disseminating information across the organization. They maintain the adequacy of inventories, organize business and financial transaction reports, and perform basic bookkeeping tasks and banking transactions. A general office clerk must be highly organizational and analytical, especially in encoding account statements on the database and processing business reports required by the management.

A career as a general office clerk brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a work study student. In fact, general office clerks salary is $5,452 higher than the salary of work study students per year.A few skills overlap for work study students and general office clerks. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "customer service," "front desk," and "powerpoint. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, work study student responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "work-study," "veterans," "computer lab," and "alumni." Meanwhile, a general office clerk has duties that require skills in areas such as "data entry," "hr," "photocopiers," and "customer complaints." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

General office clerks may earn a higher salary than work study students, but general office clerks earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $30,604. On the other hand, work study students receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $26,294.Average education levels between the two professions vary. General office clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than work study students. In fact, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Work study student vs. Office administrator

Office administrators are employees who ensure that the office is running in tip-top shape. They manage the administrative needs of the office. They answer calls directed to the official company phone, manage the inventory of supplies, take charge or purchase requisitions for needed supplies, and ensure the office equipment and fixtures are taken care of. Office administrators also manage correspondences, official memoranda, and other official company documents. They also keep track of files and records to ensure that these are properly organized. At times, office administrators also take charge of welcoming guests and accompanying them to their respective meetings.

An average office administrator eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of work study students. The difference in salaries amounts to office administrators earning a $12,841 higher average salary than work study students.work study students and office administrators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "front desk," and "powerpoint," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a work study student is likely to be skilled in "work-study," "veterans," "computer lab," and "alumni," while a typical office administrator is skilled in "patients," "data entry," "purchase orders," and "financial reports."

Office administrators earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $39,681. Work study students earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $26,294.Most office administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to work study students. For example, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Work study student vs. Office receptionist

An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor's degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.

Office receptionists typically earn higher pay than work study students. On average, office receptionists earn a $8,972 higher salary per year.According to resumes from work study students and office receptionists, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "front desk," and "powerpoint. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "work-study," "veterans," "computer lab," and "administrative tasks" are skills that commonly show up on work study student resumes. On the other hand, office receptionists use skills like patients, phone calls, data entry, and appointment scheduling on their resumes.office receptionists enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,162. For comparison, work study students earn the highest salary in the education industry.office receptionists reach similar levels of education compared to work study students, in general. The difference is that they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of work study student

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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