University of Houston students learn and live through numerous experiences during their time in college, with some – student employees – opting to take it a step further by supplementing their university life with real-life work experience.
As of March 2022, the university employed 5,170 students. And they enter the university workforce for several reasons.
Sophomore Grace Lockett’s goal is to graduate debt-free, so she sought employment to aid in that effort. Lockett has been a customer service representative at the Cougar Card offices for the past year. The experience has paid dividends for Lockett, who has learned better time-management skills.
Like the other 177 students who work in the Administration and Finance Division and for Divisional Business partners, Locket fills a vital support role while obtaining resume-building experiences by working on campus.
The second week of April is recognized as National Student Employment Week, an important time to recognize and highlight the contributions student employees have made to the success of the A&F divisional departments, programs, and services.
“One of the benefits for the students is they get that real-life experience,” said the director of Cougar Card and Food Services, Rosie Ashley. “Working on campus within the Office of Administration gives them that real-life experience of what to expect after they graduate.”
The division of Administration and Finance values its student employees who perform work, such as assisting students in getting their Cougar Cards to helping promote the university’s dining services on social media. Additionally, hiring student employees to support division projects, programs, and services helps to support the university’s “no excuse priority” for student success.
Providing UH students the opportunity to work on campus means students can be more engaged and involved with the university. Over time, several empirical studies have highlighted the importance of engagement and involvement in student success.
“We’re proud of all of our student employees and the work they have accomplished in the Administration and Finance division,” said Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, Raymond Bartlett. “Often, we have the privilege of providing students with their first work experience, and this affords students the opportunity to enhance their learning from the classroom.”
In April, please take time to thank our student employees in the division and across the university for all they do to contribute to divisional initiatives. Also, we hope you enjoy reading our highlighted student employee profiles, to gain insight into the reasons students value their on-campus work experience.
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Grace Lockett
Classification: Sophomore
Major: Math
Employing Department: Cougar Card Services
How have you changed since becoming a student employee?
I feel I get more insight into some of the things on campus. And working in customer service makes me more compassionate towards other offices on campus.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
You gain a lot of skills that you wouldn’t think about. I’m a customer service representative, I work at the front counter, but I have gained a lot of skills with Microsoft Excel and Word.
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Alyssa Osorio
Classification: Graduate Student
Major: Master of Science in Marketing
Employing Department: University Information Technology
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
I’ve worked on three projects, including the one I’m on right now. My boss is very big on employee recognition and celebrating, so I’ve implemented an Employee Recognition Program quarterly for the University Information Technology.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
This job allows me to appreciate the university a little more because it forces me to get out there. Go into buildings I’ve never been in before and talk to departments and students I’ve never spoken to. I work in IT, but I’m a business student. So normally, the paths don’t intertwine, but the job allows me to speak to people that probably wouldn’t cross my path otherwise.
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Isabella Argentine
Classification: Junior
Major: Junior
Employing Department: Dining Services
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
In this day and age, a lot of people use social media a lot for personal reasons, but I’ve learned how to accurately calculate how to post content for businesses and companies rather than personal and for fun.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
You don’t have to worry about commuting or traffic. And it’s very nice to be on campus so that you can not only experience student life and help student life but you’re more involved and more intimate with what you’re doing.
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Akshay Raut
Classification: Graduate Student
Major: in Industrial Engineering
Employing Department: Dining Services
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
I’m doing my Master’s in Industrial Engineering. So, working as a supply chain analyst with Chartwells and the University of Houston Dining Services, I gained practical experience of working with the people, managing the people, managing the supply chain. Also, forecasting the demand census like what’s going on here. So, all these things, what I’m studying in the Masters, I got a chance to be able to use it practically here as working as a supply chain data analyst.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
I’m a better communicator. I deal with external and internal stakeholders. I know how to talk with people that have a higher authority and coordinate with them on how to get things done. Those are some things that I’ve developed as a person.
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Jay Patel
Classification: Graduate Student
Major: in Industrial Engineering
Employing Department: Dining Services
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
So, working as an Operations Management intern at Chartwell has given me an opportunity to build up my technical as well as interpersonal skills. I have also consolidated end-to-end services by analyzing sales and organizational data extracted from point-of-sale to identify some trends and variances. Another experience that I achieved includes coordinating with cross-functional teams to improve the propriety of tools and the systems in an organization.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
Being a student employee really helped me develop some extensive people skills, and I have also grown more organized and disciplined as a person after I joined the company. And I also learned how to work under pressure and work in a fast-paced environment.
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Michelle Mullone
Classification: Freshman
Major: Undeclared
Employing Department: Einstein’s Bagels (Dining Service)
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
I’ve learned very good communication skills with customers. I’ve also gained the skill to be very patient with customers even when customers can sometimes be difficult.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
For one, saving gas money, because you don’t have to go that far. It’s just walking distance.
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Temperance Joseph
Classification: Senior
Major: Nutrition and Food Science B.S.
Employing Department: Administration and Finance
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
I have had many opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills as a student ambassador. Throughout the semesters, I have strengthened my presentation, communication, and outreach skills.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
There are so many benefits to working on campus, but one of my favorites is the opportunity to meet so many amazing students and faculty on campus. You get to participate in different outreach events, work in different department offices, and ultimately get to connect students to the many services UH offers.
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Kendall Castro
Classification: Junior
Major: Accounting
Employing Department: Administration & Finance
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
Become a more confident person. Changed self-image of a student to a future and current professional.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
Greater appreciation for my university! Getting to know the people who manage this amazing school behind the scenes is a special thing for me!
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Tyrese Franklin
Classification: Junior
Major: B.A., Art with minor in Marketing
Employing Department: Facilities/ Construction Management
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
As a student employee, I’ve been able to develop my Graphic Design portfolio in many ways. Most notable are department magazines, signage, and event graphics.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
Being a convenient distance from class and having a flexible work schedule are the biggest benefits of working on campus.
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Saeed Rajan
Classification:
Major: Computer Information Systems
Employing Department: Facilities
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
I’ve had exposure to Excel, Power BI and project management.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
Balancing time for work and classes is easier.
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Rushvid Telakalapalli
Classification:
Major: Construction Management
Employing Department: Facilities
What are some resume-building experiences achieved while being a student employee?
My roles and responsibilities as a student worker at UHFCP are closely aligned with my course and career goal of being a construction manager. Working closely with senior facilities planners and project managers and helping them with various tasks, I have developed skills in Planning, MS Excel, AutoCAD, Power bi, outlook, and Revit that enhanced my resume.
What are the benefits of working on campus?
I have gained a lot of confidence by building the foundations for my full-time career. I have also improved my written and oral communication skills, and professionalism by working with diverse people.
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