MSU Denver

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Many kinds of jobs.

Two students working with one anotherThere are various employment types available for students ranging from student hourly, work-study, and internships, to career opportunities. Under each section below are more details about each employment type.

Student Hourly Employment

Student Hourly Employment is for students who will be paid from departmental, grant, or foundation funds. This includes International Students who have been granted authorization to work.

Undergraduate Students

  • All hourly student employees must maintain a semester GPA of at least 2.0 to participate and remain in the student employment program at MSU Denver.
  • Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits hours during the fall and spring semesters.
    • Exceptions are given to students taking less than 6 credit hours in the last semester before graduation.
  • For summer, the minimum credit limit is relaxed and a student it is not required to be enroll in summer classes. However they must have been enrolled and worked in the spring and are enrolled and intend to work in the fall.
    • All students who do not take a minimum of 6 credit hours during the Summer Semester will be enrolled in the Student Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) that’s administered by TIAA-CREF.
  • Students who have just  graduated are allowed to work one semester after graduation for the same department they have been working.
  • Undergraduates are allowed to work up to 30 hours a week during the academic year and up to 40 during official campus breaks.

Graduate Students

  • Graduate students taking taking less than five credit hours during the spring or fall semesters, or taking fewer than three credit hours during the summer semester, will be enrolled in the Student Employee Retirement Plan (SERP).
  • They are limited to 30 hours a week and up to 40 during official campus breaks.

International Students

  • International student employees must submit to the Office of Human Resources a signed Employment Eligibility Form for International Students every semester they intend to work on-campus.
  • They must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) during the fall and spring semesters.
    • Over the summer semester if they are not enrolled in classes, they must have been enrolled full-time the previous spring semester and enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) the following fall semester.
    • Once an international student graduates, they are no longer eligible to work, unless they have proper documentation for Optional Practical Training and proper work authorization documentation.
  • International students are limited to 20 hours a week and up to 40 during official campus breaks.

 

Work-Study Employment

Work-study is an employment program that provides paid jobs for students who need to work to earn a portion of their education expenses. Work-study funds come from the state and federal government depending on which award you receive.

Priority work-study funds are allocated first to students that earned work-study in the prior academic year.

Listed below are the details about work-study. If you have any questions, please contact Financial Aid and Scholarships at 303-556-8593.

Internships

Internships are an important part of your career journey. At MSU Denver the Classroom to Career Hub helps students find internships. Students are given access to our internship database, Career Link. We will also assist with resume review, interview preparation, and other internship search skills through the Career Lab.

Once you have an internship, we will guide you through the process of getting academic credit and will often do site visits and send out evaluations. Different academic departments have different internship policies so be sure to check with our office to determine the correct steps.

Paid internships with possible credit

Some internships are paid work experiences that are related to a student’s major. These positions provide hands-on work experience that enhance the students’ job marketability after graduation. The money students earn in these positions can provide significant financial support for their education. Some of these positions are also appropriate for academic credit.

Unpaid internships for academic credit

Both private industry and the non-profit world provide opportunities for students to enhance their classroom learning with an on-the-job experiences. Unpaid internships are done for academic credit. These experiences provide resume building skills and sometimes lead to paid employment upon graduation.  Some students are required to do an internship, others can use it for elective credit.

Internship Program Site

Career Services

The Office of Career Services provides high-quality, student-focused services to support all aspects of career exploration by encouraging students and alumni to develop self-knowledge, identify career goals, and build job-search skills to empower a life-long career journey.

The office also encourages employers to engage with students through various recruiting and career education opportunities.

The Career Services staff is committed to fostering multicultural efforts in our diverse community by promoting awareness and inclusivity which is reflected by our programs, professional development, and counseling approach.

Career Services Webpage

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