Incoming Student FAQ

Your first job will be assigned to you by the LifeWorks Program based on your previous work experiences, career interests/goals, workplace preferences and campus needs. All incoming students are asked to complete an online assessment and work interest form that allows you to select job preferences and describe your work experience. Berry then matches this information with available “good fit” LifeWorks positions on campus to determine your first job.

Freshmen are allowed to work up to 10 hours per week to ensure they are able to gain valuable professional experience as they acclimate to college life and the academic rigor of Berry College. 

Upperclassmen students can work up to 12 hours per week, with the exception of Gate Scholars who work 16. During breaks and in the summer, students can work up to 40 hours per week.

Yes. Before you can legally begin working on-campus, Berry College must first verify your eligibility to work in the United States. You cannot begin working until the LifeWorks Office has verified your eligibility via the I-9 form. The LifeWorks Office will provide the I-9 form to students, but you will also need to bring a few documents with you when you come to campus in the fall:  

To complete the I-9 form, you must have the documents listed in one of the choices below or other appropriate documents listed on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website*.

1. Current driver’s license or military ID card AND original Social Security card
2. Current driver’s license or military ID card AND original/certified birth certificate
3. Current, unexpired passport**
4. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
5. Employment Authorization Document containing a photo (Form I-776) 

*Please note – federal regulations prevent us from accepting copies of these documents. We must see the originals, so please remember to bring these document(s) with you to campus. 

**If you choose to bring a passport instead of a Social Security Card, please ensure you know your social security number. Please contact the LifeWorks Office at lifeworks@berry.edu or (706) 236-2244 if you have any questions.

At Berry College, we intentionally provide students with job opportunities in every office, department and facility on campus. In fact, every one of Berry’s 180 departments employs students, and the LifeWorks office currently maintains more than 1,000 job descriptions! 

For example: Berry students perform research, plan events and activities, fix computers, care for animals (cattle, sheep, horses, etc.), supervise the residence halls, operate the outdoor ropes course, maintain the campus grounds and facilities, cook/serve food and do just about everything else (except teach classes). 

To learn more about available work positions on-campus, visit the online job posting website or stop by the LifeWorks Office on the 3^rd floor of the Krannert building. Since some LifeWorks jobs require managerial and supervisory skills, you will want to plan ahead if you want to secure one of these advanced work positions.

No. You don’t have to work because our student employment program is optional and voluntary. However, we promise to provide all students with up to eight semesters of paid personal and professional development opportunities and experiences. So, while first year students don’t have to work, the vast majority (over 90%) do every year. Even if only a few hours a week, working on campus will help you learn transferable skills, and even one extra year of professional experience will give you (and your resume) a competitive advantage when you apply for jobs and graduate schools in the future. 

Working on campus also helps students feel a sense of belonging and a sense of ownership of campus, helps build deeper relationships with peers and mentors, and helps students start exploring and experimenting some of their professional interests. Therefore, we strongly encourage all first-year students to work at least a few hours a week so they benefit from all the additional benefits it provides.

Yes. Summer at Berry is a busy time, and there are many work opportunities. Although fewer classes are in session, the campus must still operate. In a typical summer, Admissions is recruiting, Student Affairs is planning and hosting new student orientation, the grass needs cutting, the animals must be fed, food must be served, computers and networks must be maintained, and the mail must be delivered.

In addition to their regular hourly wage during the summer, students who work full-time or have a full-time equivalent of work, plus class hours, receive free summer housing! As you can see, there are some perks to working at Berry over the summer.

Yes. Many students do have more than one job. However, we do encourage you to have one primary job at a time, so you can take advantage of gaining in-depth professional experience and then, if needed, take on a supplemental job to either explore additional interests ... or to make a little more money. BUT, remember, the work hours for all jobs must total less than your limit: Freshmen are allowed to work up to 10 hours per week, and upperclassmen students can work up to 12 hours per week, with the exception of Gate Scholars who work 16. During breaks and the summer, students can work up to 40 hours per week.

The good news is you don’t have to worry about that your first semester! 

To apply for jobs after that you can view open positions on the online job site. Handshake is Berry’s new career management system, and it is your one-stop shop for learning about and applying to all kinds of jobs (e.g., on-campus, off-campus, Community & Industry jobs) and internships (academic and non-academic)! If you haven’t activated your Handshake account yet, you can do that here.

We ask that you stay in your assigned job for at least the first semester. After that, you can either remain in the position or consider other jobs. After your first semester, you are a "LifeWorks free agent." Exploring Berry’s large and diverse student work program will help you dig deep into your professional purpose, interests and options. 

You will be able to find other jobs and explore additional job openings using our online system to view and apply to open positions. 

Yes. After your first year, you are eligible to apply for off-campus Lifeworks jobs. In addition to our on-campus jobs, we partner with many off-campus employers to provide additional professional opportunities through our Community & Industry (C&I) Program. We are fortunate to have many great C&I partners in the Rome/Floyd Community, from non-profits and vet clinics to hospitals and businesses where students gain additional skills and professional experience in specific areas of interest. 

Community & Industry jobs are also posted on Handshake, or you can learn more about these opportunities by visiting the LifeWorks Program Office on the 3^rd floor of the Krannert building.

Every one of Berry’s 180 departments employs students, and the LifeWorks office currently maintains more than 1,000 job descriptions! There are student jobs in every office, department and facility on campus. 

Berry students perform research, plan events and activities, fix computers, care for cattle and horses, supervise the residence halls, operate the outdoor ropes course, maintain the campus grounds and facilities, cook the food, and do just about everything else (except teach classes). To learn more about available work positions on campus, visit the online job posting website or stop by the LifeWorks Office on the 3^rd floor of the Krannert building. Since some LifeWorks jobs require managerial and supervisory skills, you will want to plan ahead if you want to secure one of these advanced work positions.

Yes. Many faculty members hire student workers to assist in or perform academic research. Academic Research positions are typically Level 3 and Level 4 positions. Students performing specific tasks in support of faculty research are usually classified as Level 3. Students performing research with the intent to publish/present the results are usually classified as Level 4. Faculty supervisors will determine which of their research assistants are classified as Level 3 or 4. The advancement criteria for the Academic Researcher positions are described below. 

Level 3: Basic Research

Entry Criteria: Successful completion of two terms at Level 1 or demonstrated performance in similar off-campus employment. Will consider exceptions based on faculty recommendation.

Level 4: Advanced Research

Entry Criteria: Successful completion of two terms at Level 2 or one term at Level 3 or demonstrated performance in similar off-campus employment. Will consider exceptions based on faculty recommendation.

All incoming, first-year students are paid $9 per hour. As you gain experience and move up within the LifeWorks levels, you’ll also move up in pay. The pay ranges from $9 up to $9.50, depending on your work level.

Students are paid every two weeks, and paychecks are sent to student mailboxes or are direct deposited to your bank account. You will have the option of setting up direct deposit through the payroll office.

Students log time through an easy-to-use online timesheet. Students are responsible for logging their hours each time they work and for submitting their timesheets at the end of the two-week pay period to their supervisors for review and approval.  

Yes. Freshmen start with entry-level jobs and have the opportunity to move up to more challenging jobs with greater responsibility, leadership and management roles. Student work positions are classified into five levels, which are listed and described below. 

Level 1 – Entry Level

Description: Entry-level, task oriented. Students learn basic work skills. Emphasizes work ethics such as dependability, attention to detail and teamwork. 

Level 2 – Skilled

Description: Experienced, task oriented. Students have proven to be dependable workers and team players. 

Level 3 – Advanced

Description: Experienced, project oriented. Students have the experience necessary to train Level 1 students. Students learn project management and more advanced work skills. 

Level 4 – Supervisory

Description: Supervisory, project management. Students have the skills to supervise other students and are able to manage major projects or perform advanced academic research. 

Level 5 – Director

Description: Departmental management. Students have the skills to supervise other students and are learning to manage the activities of and to represent a department.

Entry criteria for each student work level are listed below. First, a supervisor must be willing to hire you for a higher-level position. Second, you must have demonstrated satisfactory performance in lower level jobs. Finally, you must have completed any required training.

Level 1 – Entry Level

Criteria: None

Level 2 – Skilled

Criteria: Successful completion of one term at Level 1.Completion of any required training.

Level 3 – Advanced

Criteria: Successful completion of one term at Level 2. Completion of any required training.

Level 4 – Supervisory

Criteria: Successful completion of one term at Level 3. Completion of any required training. Does not apply to elected or competitively selected positions (e.g., SGA officers or Resident Assistants).

Level 5 – Director

Criteria: Successful completion of one term at Level 4. Completion of any required training. Does not apply to elected or competitively selected positions (e.g., SGA president or Head Resident Assistants).

It depends. Every LifeWorks job offers students opportunities to develop unique professional skills. For example, a Financial Aid Assistant will be expected to explain a financial aid package to a student, and an Oak Hill Docent will be expected to lead a tour. However, the LifeWorks program is also designed to teach the general work skills listed below. These skills were listed as desirable skills from a recent survey of employers. 

General Work Skills:

• Taking Initiative – Taking appropriate actions without asking for instructions.
• Dependability – Being punctual, reliable, and trustworthy.
• Accountability – Accepting responsibility for actions.
• Teamwork – Cooperating with others to achieve a goal.
• Problem Solving – Identifying effective solutions to problems.
• Quality Service – Courteously and efficiently responding to customer requests.

You’ll learn while on the job and you won’t have to worry about sitting through two-hour training lectures! It’s known as experiential learning. Think of it as learning by doing. You and your LifeWorks supervisor will establish expectations at the beginning of the semester, and you’ll receive periodic feedback on your progress as you go.

Our staff, faculty and some upperclassmen students will function as your LifeWorks supervisors. LifeWorks supervisors are more than just bosses, and they care about more than just about getting the work done. Very often, they are your primary mentors and teachers who are committed to helping you take the next steps on your journey of personal and professional development at Berry (and beyond).