Student employment represents an important financial aid resource to assist students in earning funds to offset the cost of a college education. It's been observed by many organizations that work study students are among their best employees. After all, their goals are similiar to yours. It also goes without saying they are furthering their education, so are generally better educated than the regular labor pool. And, because the work is viewed as training for future full-time employment, you receive the benefits of on-the-job training without bearing the full burden of the cost. And, since their employment is related to career interests, students have a greater incentive to excel.
Student employees have unique characteristics that distinguish them from other employees. Consequently, they may require a different style of supervision. The major difference is that student employment is incidental to a student's principal responsibility (i.e., they are students first and employees second). Many students need to be trained in how to be effective employees. Some arrive with little or no job experience. They need direction in proper office etiquette and establishing good relationships with co-workers. Other students have had a career and are thoroughly familiar with how to conduct themselves on the job. This vast disparity in backgrounds makes it impossible to describe one single effective style of supervision for students. Clearly defined expectations, patience and flexibility help to make the student employee successful.
An often forgotten aspect of supervision is that you are a teacher as well as a supervisor. As a supervisor, you help to establish good work habits, instill a sense of pride and give the student employee some self -confidence in his/her abilities. Often students will have a closer and more long-term relationship with their work supervisor than with any individual faculty member or advisor on campus. The supervisor can often be a key figure in the student's college experience and in their personal growth.
