On-Campus Student Jobs and Internships
On-campus employment is flexible and convenient for students’ busy schedules, usually doesn’t require transportation and is a great way to get experience. There are many types of on-campus employment, including internships, office jobs, customer service, lab and research positions, and assistantships. Positions are available both during the school year and between terms.
When taking on an internship or research experience, you don’t just learn about that industry, you learn about yourself. This is where "aha!" moments happen: where you discover what you do and don’t like, meet people in your field, and begin to shape the skills you need.
How to Find On-Campus Jobs and Internships:
1. OSU jobs search
Go to jobs.oregonstate.edu, select "Student," then search under Position Type: Student. You can also search by department, job location or keyword.
2. Direct outreach
Many students also make arrangements directly with faculty to volunteer in labs or assist with research. If there is a professor whose work interests you, reach out to them to inquire about possible paid or unpaid opportunities coming up. See here for a list of research opportunities by department.
What is Work Study?
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, based on their FAFSA application.
- If awarded, work-study funds show up as part of your financial aid award.
- Go to Beaver Hub to review your offer and accept the funding.
Can I work on campus if I don't have Work Study?
Yes. Most campus jobs are open to all student applicants, regardless of work study status. Positions that are limited to work study only will be clearly labeled within the job search website.
Additional Employment Info
How many hours can I work?
Most domestic students can work up to 24 hours per week during the academic term including regular and work-study jobs and assistantships; international students can work up to 20 hours per week. See OSU's guidelines for student work hours.
Employment for International Students
If you are an international student and want to work on or off-campus, contact the Office of International Services to ask about working permits and your eligibility. Once you have a job offer and authorization documents, you can apply for a social security number if you don't have one. Generally, international students do not qualify for Federal Work-Study.
Student Employment Policies & Resources
Learn more about Oregon State’s policies and resources for student employment.
Internships
What is an internship?
An internship is an opportunity to gain exposure to and experience in a career field of interest. Depending on the position, internships may be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time and may gain you academic credit. Many programs at Oregon State require you to complete an internship or research experience in order to graduate. During an internship, students can:
- Explore a career field of interest
- Gain experience and hone skills applicable in the workplace
- Develop a network of professional contacts
What makes a quality internship?
While different employers have different goals for their internships, the Career Development Center and the National Association of Colleges and Employers define a quality experience as including:
- A learning experience, not just meeting the needs of the employer
- Skills and knowledge gained that can be applied to other settings
- Clearly defined job duties and time frame
- Clearly defined learning outcomes, related to the student’s professional and academic goals
- Routine supervision by a professional with the knowledge and experience to do so
- Resources and facilities to support learning
Internship Guide: Legal Considerations & Employer Responsibilities
Internship Opportunities for Students of Color
- SEO Career offers summer internships for high-achieving Black, Hispanic and Native American college students.
- INROADS internships connect students of color with corporate work experiences.
- The Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) connects students to industry, professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities.
- Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) equips and emboldens high-achieving individuals from underrepresented communities to realize their full potential.
- The National Parks Service offers numerous programs for underrepresented students.
- The Emerging Leaders Internship program matches college students and recent graduates of color with paid internships at top companies throughout the Portland metro area. Application is open November through January.
How do I get academic credit for an internship?
Each of OSU's majors and programs of study awards credit differently for internship and work experiences. Please contact your academic advisor or the internship coordinator for your program directly to determine how you can earn acaemic credit for your internship.
Research
OSU is a globally ranked research institution and land grant university whose faculty and students are working as a team to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Do you want to make an impact on these problems? Get hands-on experience and expand your learning outside the classroom with research:
- The Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and the Arts (URSA) facilitates undergraduate involvement in scholarly projects mentored by faculty across Oregon State disciplines. They offer drop-in hours to answer your questions about getting involved with research.
- Check out this college-by-college list of research programs (including research experiences for undergraduates and extension work).
- You can find additional student research-related opportunities through Handshake.
Common external research opportunities
- National Science Foundation provides funding for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs.
- Find student research programs for all degree levels through the National Institute of Health.
- Summer research programs all over the U.S. can be found through Pathway to Science.
- Interested in pursuing medicine? Apply to a summer research program at an Association of American Medical Colleges affiliated institution.
