Work study is an option for college students at Colorado State University-Pueblo, but most are not aware of the numerous employment opportunities available off-campus. While 624 students earned Colorado work study wages during 2006-07, only 296 were eligible to work off campus because they were recipients of federal work study.
Of those who were eligible to work off campus, only 15 were employed by local public institutions including the Center for the Immigrant Community and Integration at Catholic Charities, Pueblo Community College law enforcement, Pueblo County Historical Society, Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation, Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences, Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center and the Buell Children’s Museum.
Before an off-campus employment opportunity can be created, a relationship has to be established between the public institution and the university. The CSU-Pueblo Career Center invites businesses and institutions to attend the annual job fair at which interested students will be seeking job opportunities on and off campus. Often, professors learn about employers who would like to participate and inform the Career Center.
”Any business can attend the fair but in order for a business to participate in the work study program, they must provide up to 25 percent of the hourly work study earning,” said Gregory Thorsten, student financial aid counselor. “If the student earns $8 an hour, they may have to pay $2 out of that and we pay the $6.”
In addition, the business or institution is required to be an equal opportunity employer and willing to abide by federal work study guidelines. The employer signs a contract and the financial aid department creates an account and a job description for the position.
Into the bargain, the student is able to gain valuable experience outside the classroom and earn money. As a way of contributing to the growth of the local economy, and as a philanthropic gesture, the work study positions are exclusively available to nonprofit businesses or institutions.
“Currently, we only work with nonprofits,” said Sean P. McGivney, director of financial aid.
Felicia Gonzales, CSU-Pueblo alum, majored in history and obtained a work study position at the Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center and Museum, located on B Street in Pueblo’s Union Avenue Historic District. She learned about the opening through a job fair on campus.
As a student, Gonzales worked 10 to 20 hours on an average week, depending on her homework load. Conducting museum tours, greeting guests, researching topics like the history of telephony, and handling priceless artifacts, like an 1800 Native American papoose (backboard used to carry baby on the mother’s back), were all daily duties and things she couldn’t have done in a classroom.
After completing her education, Gonzales was offered a part-time position and was hired as an administrative assistant. She has become an important asset to the museum, to the point that “they have my phone number on speed-dial,” Gonzales said.
Chris Ball, executive director of the Heritage Center said work study participants have to wear many hats for the smooth operation of the center.
“Felicia’s experience in working in all areas of the facility made her a perfect candidate, upon graduation, for a permanent job with the heritage center,” said Ball.
One of Gonzales’ favorite attractions at the heritage center is Lucky, the papier-mâché horse.
“It’s our main signature piece. Lucky survived the 1921 flood and the 1989 fire, both in Pueblo. He was in perfect condition until they moved him into the museum and chipped his ear. Some kids think he’s scary-looking and others love him,” Gonzales said.
Overall, her experience at the heritage center has been broadening, Gonzales said.
“The greatest thing is meeting such a diverse group of individuals – from English visitors to the volunteers who have lived here all their lives. They each possess their own piece of history to share,” said Gonzales.
Working at the museum is not restricted to students majoring in history. The skills that could be gained from this position could be applied to a variety of future endeavors and, ultimately, benefit the student. While it may be a nonprofit, its entire operation is as complex as any business and the work is accomplished by one full-time employee, an administrative assistant, volunteers, interns and work study students from CSU-Pueblo.
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