Written by Caleb Engstrom
As a new graduate student, one of your necessary priorities might be to find an on-campus job to help both secure yourself financially and potentially enrich your experience / research as a student. Best case scenario, both are satisfied.
In my experience, prior to starting classes, I was contacted via email by my department admin manager asking if I was interested in a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) position through the department. Because I am from the visual arts, my GSR responsibilities include assisting with installation, fabrication, and advisory support for University Art Gallery, Contemporary Arts Center, and Room Gallery on campus. I am paid monthly for this work and am gaining additional experience on the logistical side of organizing art exhibitions. Depending on your area of study, the roles of a GSR will vary. You may not be contacted directly about these opportunities, so I would suggest you reach out to your best point of contact within your area and inquire if there are any available GSR positions available. A bit more about what being a GSR or GSAR:
Many academic units offer research assistantships to outstanding graduate students, either as Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) or Graduate Student Assistant Researchers (GSARs). During the academic year, GSRs and GSARs may be appointed for a maximum of half-time service (220 hours/quarter). Registration as a full-time student (12 units) is required, and students must meet academic eligibility requirements for grades, GPA and satisfactory progress. The duration and extent of such appointments vary by academic unit.” (1)
1. https://grad.uci.edu/funding/employment/research-assistantships.php
In addition to being a GSR, you may have opportunities to be a teaching assistant or teaching associate within your area. The type of opportunity and frequency will again depend on your department. It is also possible that your position in the program is funded entirely through your work as a teaching assistant. If that is the case, you might not have to worry about much other than filling out the necessary paperwork and list your times of availability every quarter. In my case, I am guaranteed at least a TA position 2 out of 3 quarters. Additionally, this summer I am TA-ing an Intro to Photo class for summer session one. It is most likely that your department will notify you or offer these jobs to you directly, but it’s always safe to ask. A bit more info:
Many academic units offer teaching opportunities to outstanding graduate students who are employed in the following ASE (Academic Student Employee) titles:
- Teaching Assistant
- Teaching Associate
- Reader
- Tutor
During the academic year, ASEs may be appointed for a maximum of half-time service (220 hours/quarter). Registration as a full-time student (12 units) is required, and students must meet academic eligibility requirements for grades, GPA and satisfactory progress. The duration and extent of such appointments vary by academic unit.
Assistantship offers are made to students by the academic unit following formal admission to graduate study. Students should contact their departments for further information.” (2)
2. https://grad.uci.edu/funding/employment/teaching-assistantships.php
Perhaps your department does not offer any GSR opportunities and the teaching positions are limited as well. Where can you find an on-campus job? You can find campus jobs on Handshake, UC Irvine’s job portal. Log onto Handshake at uci.joinhandshake.com using your UCInetID. I have never used this resource and looks to be geared a bit more towards undergrads, but it seems like it could still be a useful and excellent platform. Use Handshake to…
- Discover internship options through searching by major
- Search for internships on and off-campus targeted to UCI students
- Connect with employers and students who previously worked for those companies through the comment function on postings and information sessions
- Prepare for a successful search by viewing and enrolling in upcoming workshops and career labs
There are other places to look for campus jobs besides handshake, some departments list their available positions on their websites. However, you should note that some of the positions are more likely to be given to undergraduate students than graduate students. A few examples are listed below:
- Anteater Recreation Center
http://www.campusrec.uci.edu/employment/
949-824-5346
- UCI Libraries
http://www.lib.uci.edu/student-employment-information
949-824-6836
- Student Center / Conference Center
949-824-5252
- Parking and Transportation Services
https://www.parking.uci.edu/forms/jobApplication/
949-824-2691
- Office of Information Technology (OIT)
949-824-2222
- Electronic Education Environment
https://eee.uci.edu/jobs/open-jobs/
949-824-2222
- Hospitality and Dining Services
949-824-1492
- UC Irvine Athletics and Bren Events Center
https://ucirvinesports.com/sports/2017/5/26/inside-uci-Employment.aspx
949-824-3232
And last, but not least, talk with your cohort and faculty. Those that are also grad students within your field will be your greatest resource for networking, jobs today, and opportunities beyond your time here at UCI. Go to seminars. Talk with presenters (as you feel comfortable). Join in on ‘extracurricular’ get togethers. Most importantly, the best advice I can give, is to make the most of your experience and build relationships at UCI that become reciprocal and meaningful.