Welcome to Student Work at Reed!
Incoming students will receive detailed information about student work through orientation this summer. Basic information and answers to frequently asked questions are available below.
What kind of on-campus jobs do students work in?
Almost every office and program on campus hires student workers! There are a wide variety of jobs that students work in at Reed. Students work in the library, the sports center, the bookstore, as tutors, tour guides, mentors, event coordinators, office assistants, and so many other positions on campus. The positions available vary from year to year based on the needs of offices, as well as the number of returning students continuing in a job. The best way to know which positions are available is to check Handshake regularly (twice a week if you are actively seeking work) for new postings.
Eligible students can also apply for off-campus Federal Work-Study (FWS) positions, which allow students to earn their FWS wages while working in non-profit organizations and public agencies in the Portland area.
Steps to finding an on-campus job
Now: Check to see if you have work-study and what type. Students with financial aid may have Federal Work-Study or Reed Work-Study as a part of their financial aid package. All students are eligible to work on campus; however priority for positions is given to students with either type of work-study. To learn more and find detailed instructions for checking your work-study here.
June - July: Get your resume ready. The Center for Life Beyond Reed offers assistance with resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. Getting your resume ready now is a great way to be prepared to apply to jobs!
Beginning in August: Explore positions on Handshake, Reed’s job board for both on-campus and off-campus positions. Select “On Campus” just below the search bar to view open on-campus positions at Reed. Jobs for the upcoming school year are generally posted beginning in August, and the vast majority of employers conduct their hiring in the fall for employment the entire academic year. The Student Work Office does not recommend "holding out" for a particular position not posted on Handshake; that position may not be hiring in a given year, or that office may not conduct their hiring in the fall (some offices hire in the spring for the upcoming academic year). If you don't want to work until the spring, keep in mind that there will be far fewer job openings and position options later in the year. *If you are an incoming student with work-study, you will also receive an email about applying to the Work-Study Job Pool.
After arriving on campus: Fill out hiring paperwork and bring acceptable identification. You must complete I9 and W4 forms before you begin working. There will be student work paperwork drop-in sessions throughout Orientation where you can complete these forms. If you haven't already completed this required paperwork, when you are hired, you will recieve an email from the payroll office with instructions for how to complete and submit hiring paperwork electronically. If you have questions about hiring paperwork, please reach out to Dawn Derry at derryd@reed.edu.
Once you are hired: Start working and get paid! Student workers are paid every other week on Fridays via direct deposit or check. Student pay rates start at $15.45 per hour as of July 1, 2023.
If at any point you have questions or need assistance, reach out to the student work coordinator via the contact information on the right.