Student Jobs & Internships

jobs

 

Notice for Student Employees

HEERA Notice of Intent to Conduct Election

On Campus Employment
 

Common On-Campus Roles for Student Workers 

There are many different types of job opportunities available to student workers. On-campus roles typically fall into one of the following categories: 
 

  • Student Assistant and Federal Work Study Assistant: Support departments with a range of job types related to the department’s function on campus 

  • Instructional Student Assistant: Assist professors with research, teaching, facilitating group discussions, grading papers, and tutoring 

  • Other: Work for auxiliary on-campus employers (such as J. Paul Leonard Library, Associated Students, Sodexo Dining Services, or any other on-campus commercial employers)  

 

To see a current list of many of the on-campus positions available, check Handshake, SF State’s online job listing platform.  

 

Common On-Campus Employers 

There are many different organizations that hire student workers. On-campus employers vary in terms of the number of students hired, the time periods for hiring, and the amount of hours of student work needed.   

To see a list of many of the on-campus employers are currently hiring, check Handshake, SF State’s online job listing platform. Some auxiliary on-campus employers may list their available positions at their physical location, on their own website, or on another hiring platform.  

Current Students 

SF State student employees may work up to 20 hours per week (part-time) during the spring and fall semesters and up to 40 hours per week (full-time) during summer sessions and semester breaks.  

Student employees must be in good academic standing and enrolled in at least 6 units as an undergraduate student and 4 units as a graduate student. 

 

International Students 

It is possible for international students who are visiting on an F-1 or J-1 visa to work on campus. International students can work no more than 20 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours a week during the winter, spring and summer breaks. To apply for an on-campus job international students should go through the regular hiring process.   

F-1 and J-1 students should follow the "Applying for On-Campus Employment" instructions posted at http://oip.sfsu.edu/ocec.  

For those looking for OPT jobs check out the site below: My Visa Jobs 

 

Incoming Students 

Incoming students may begin working on campus seven days before the start of their first semester. *Spring 2024 Admits will not be able to access the Handshake job board until the first week of December 2023.* 

 

Recent Graduates 

Graduates may not work on campus after completing their degree or exchange programs. 

Step 1: Search for Jobs 

On-campus positions are most commonly listed on Handshake, SF State’s online job listing platform. Students can also reach out to departments directly to ask about current positions.  

*Spring 2024 Admits will not be able to access the Handshake job board until the first week of December 2023.* 

To Access Handshake:  

  • Go to: https://sfsu.joinhandshake.com/login    

  • Click on the blue button that says SFSU Current Student Login     

  • Enter your credentials for SF State Global Login and click on Login    

  • Upload your resume to automatically populate information in your education, work, and other sections
     

Handshake account approval may take a few days. If you encounter any issues while creating an account or waiting for account approval, please reach out to campusjobs@sfsu.edu

Once You Have Completed Your Profile: 

  • Click on Jobs 

  • Select All filters   

  • Under Job type, choose On-Campus  

  • Review job descriptions and how to apply instructions 

  

OIP students: visit https://oip.sfsu.edu/ocec for most up-to-date info on the application process. 

 

Step 2: Apply for Jobs 

After identifying positions for which you are qualified, follow the application instructions on the job listing. Job application materials typically include: 
 

  • Contact information 

  • Resume 

  • Cover letter 

  • Class schedule 
     

Once you apply for a position, you will be able to review the status of your application in Handshake.  

Tip: Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor to review your resume or attend a workshop on how to apply to jobs.  

 

Step 3: Interview for Jobs 

Come to interviews prepared to speak about yourself, your interest in the role, and why you think you would be a good candidate.  
 

TIPS:  

  • Visit campus department/s that you have applied to and ask for the hiring manager. Take a moment to introduce yourself, let them know that you have applied, and how interested you are in the position.  

  • Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor or attend a workshop to learn best practices for interviews.  

 

Step 4: Accept or Decline Your Job Offer 

Once you receive a job offer, let your prospective employer know as soon as possible if you intend to accept or decline the position as on-campus positions tend to be competitive. If you are unsuccessful in your job search, other employers like Stonestown Galleria or nearby restaurants commonly hire students. \

 

Step 5: Confirm Your Work And Class Schedule With Your Employer 

Once you have accepted your job offer, you and your employer will work together to create your work schedule. If you haven’t already, share your class schedule with them and communicate any previous obligations that may conflict with work hours. Once your start date is confirmed, your employer will share paperwork to complete prior to beginning work. 

Step 1: Send an email to Student_i-9@sfsu.edu with the following information: 

  • Your full and complete first and last name as it appears on your identification 

  • SF State student email (No personal emails) 

  • Your SF State Student ID Number # 

 

Step 2: I-9 Tracker profile will be created by I-9 Verification Specialist from Campus Safety 

  • An automated message from I-9 Tracker will be sent to your SF State student email.  Please check your spam or junk folder if you do not see it in your inbox. Log into I-9 Tracker and complete Part 1 (Section 1).   

 

Step 3: A second email will be sent to your SF State student email with instructions on how to complete your Form I-9 (Part 2). The instructions email will include what documents are acceptable to verify your identity and employment eligibility, and where to go in person to present your documents on-campus: 

 

  • You will need to present one or more acceptable documents that are listed here or in the attached List of Acceptable Identification for I-9 Verification. You must present original documents; scans or photos of your documents are not accepted. 

  • Students can verify their identification and supporting documents in person at Campus Safety (UPD) located on-campus at 100 North State Drive, San Francisco, California, 94132. (See map below). 

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Drop-in hours are available Monday through Thursday (M/T/W/Th) from 8:30AM to 3:00PM.
 

You can also make an appointment for I-9 verification online by going to the following link and selecting the appointment calendar: Calendly - Fingerprint or I-9 Appointment Calendar.

 

Step 4: After your I-9 form has been completed and your documents verified, notify the hiring department. The hiring department will provide all the required payroll forms below to the student via DocuSign for completion.

 

Step 5: Hiring department will complete and submit a new hire E-trac to complete the hire process.

Getting Paid:

 

Graduate Assistant (GA) or Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA):

GA and GTA will complete the I-9 with their hiring departments.
 

Auxiliary Positions:

Complete I-9 with the on-campus employer.

Auxiliary positions refer to positions at Sodexo, Associated Students, Inc., University Cooperation (U-Corp), SFSU Bookstore, or any other on-campus commercial employers.

 

Remember, NO STUDENT MAY BEGIN WORK until after their I-9 verification has been completed.

I-9 Verification is not available on holidays, or when the campus is closed. Please check the online calendar for upcoming holidays and dates when the campus will be closed. 

How Many Hours Can Students Work? 

SF State student employees may work up to 20 hours per week (part-time) during the spring and fall semesters and up to 40 hours per week (full-time) during summer sessions and semester breaks.  

 

Can Students Work Multiple On-Campus Jobs? 

Yes, if students work within the maximum number of hours allowed per week. 

 

Can Students Use Federal Work Study? 

Federal Work-Study is a federally funded financial aid program. It increases available part-time employment for students who need financial assistance while giving them the opportunity to gain practical work experience. Those who wish to work in the work-study program must be approved by the Financial Aid Office prior to being hired. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.  

 

How Will On-Campus Employment Impact Student Taxes? 

On-campus employers are not able to provide direct tax advice or guidance for how to fill out tax-related forms. For more information, please review IRS form W–4 and California form DE-4

 

Internships 
An internship is a valuable, on-site work experience directly related to your career interests and major field of study. It allows you learn about the demands and requirements of a profession and industry under the direction of intentional learning goals. An internship can be paid, un-paid, or taken for academic credit, and can take place during the academic semester or in the summer.

 

  • You can gain practical experience and develop marketable job skills in your chosen career field

  • It helps you to clarify your personal career goals and work-place preferences

  • You can interact with qualified and experienced professionals in your field

  • It allows you to apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom to on-the-job experiences

  • You can make important contacts in the professional world that may lead to future job offers

Academic internships allow you to earn academic credit while gaining work experience through community engagement.  Through community engagement the university works collaboratively with community-based organizations to address issues important to the well-being and lives of community members, the outcomes of which benefit the common good and create positive systemic change. 

 

These internships require tuition payment in the same way as with other academic courses.  They are an effective way for you to gain work experience in your field of study before graduation. Visit the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement website to learn more.

 

International students with F-1 visa status must be authorized by the Office of International Programs (OIP) and complete the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in order to participate in an academic internship. Other non-immigrant visa holders (i.e. H-4, J-2, etc.) must adhere to their visa regulations. 

For housing and/or disability resources, please check out the links below:

 

Intern Housing Resources:

Intern Housing
SF Homestay
Student Housing

 

Disability Internship Resources:

Entrypoint
Ability Corps

Please see our Job Search Websites page.

Job searching isn’t easy. National statistics report that it can take up to 6 months for new graduates to find a job. Review the resources below and schedule an appointment with a career counselor to help you along in the process. 

 

Job Search Checklist  

  1. Make a list of the types of positions and organizations that interest you, and the skills needed for that type of work 
  2. Determine your preferred geographic location—try to narrow it down to no more than 3 places 
  3. Ask a minimum of three people (e.g., supervisors, professors) to serve as references 
  4. Update your resume and cover letter and have it critiqued by CLD staff 
  5. Create or update your Handshake account with relevant information and your resume 
  6. Search and apply for jobs online using various online search tools 
  7. Develop a networking statement or elevator pitch—a concise description of your education and work background and your career goals for the near future 
  8. Network with 1) people you already know (friends, family, professors, etc.), and 2) SF State alumni using LinkedIn 
  9. Attend CLD Career Fairs to network with employers and identify job & internship opportunities 
  10. Prepare for interviews using Big Interview, and having your video mock interview critiqued by CLD staff 

 

Full and Part-Time Jobs

For students or graduates seeking part-time or full-time employment, please check out Handshake for opportunities

 

In addition, there are there are many job search sites available

 

If you’re interested in jobs that serve the community, why not consider working or a nonprofit?  Research non-profit organizations and find open positions here on

Where are Internships Located?

Internships can be located close to home, near campus, anywhere in the USA or internationally.

 

What are the Requirements to Earn University Credit?

Getting course credit for an internship is like taking any course for credit. The course will be listed on your transcript showing that you have practical, as well as classroom, experience. The requirement for credit varies from department to department, and is generally determined by your department faculty advisor. Your faculty advisor will determine the amount of credit according to your level of responsibility and the number of hours per week on the job. A faculty advisor will assess your learning and performance and may require that you write a report or provide a critical analysis of a project. The internship must provide you with specific problems to solve and be related to your field of study. 

 

Is There a Charge for Working as an Intern?

Only internships which are taken for academic credit require tuition payment—just like any other course. The tuition and charges pay for supervisors, monitoring, evaluation of your work performance and transcript notation. There is no charge for internships not taken for academic credit. In fact, a wage may be required according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Please review the Wage and Hour Divisionseven-point unpaid intern test if you would like to know more about unpaid internship regulations. The employer should never charge you.

 

Can I Develop an Internship on My Own?

Career and Leadership Development puts on several career fairs each year both in the fall and spring semesters. We also provide on-campus interview (OCI) opportunities for employers to interview our students on our campus for the convenience of both employers and students. You can arrange your own placement related to your field of study. If you wish to earn academic credit, the internship must be approved before you register for classes. See your department's faculty advisor for more information. If you do not wish to obtain academic credit, have clear goals established with the employer about your work experience and agree to have work experiences that are related to your major.

 

What is a Cooperative Education Program (Co-op)?

A Cooperative Education Program is another type of program offered by employers that provides paid career-related work experience and offers academic credit. For more information, visit the SF State Cooperative Education Program.

 

Questions to Consider Before an Internship:

Will I have opportunities to gain practical experience in my chosen field or learn if this area of my major is the right fit for me? 

Will I have an engaged supervisor working with me to create a successful experience based on my internship goals? 

Is there a strong education, research, or project-oriented aspect to the internship? 

Is my position as an intern somewhat independent of established, paid positions within this organization? If the internship is unpaid and you answered no to either of these questions, carefully review the Wage and Hour Division’s seven-point unpaid intern test