Hire a Student Employee

Supervisors play a vital role in creating meaningful work experiences for student employees. This page provides guidance, resources, and reminders to help you successfully recruit, hire, and support student employees - including those participating in the Federal Work‑Study (FWS) program.

Getting Started

• Connect with your HR Consultant: They can guide you through the hiring process and answer unit‑specific questions.
• Create a job requisition in Workday: Step‑by‑step instructions are available on the Administrative Resource Center (ARC).
• Promote your open student positions in Handshake: Post open student positions in Handshake to gain more traction.
• Plan ahead for peak hiring: Most student hiring occurs mid‑July through mid‑September. Posting early ensures you reach students before demand is highest.

Student Employee Supervisor Quick Checklist

• Write a clear, student‑friendly job description
• Plan a structured onboarding experience (tour, introductions, training)
• Confirm Federal Work Study status eligibility if applicable
• Post open position in both Workday and Handshake
• Recognize contributions regularly and often
• Schedule early feedback check‑in (GROW Month can also help with this!)

Handshake

Handshake is Ohio State's university-wide position posting system where students have access to search and apply for part-time jobs, internships, co-ops, and full-time career opportunities. Thousands of jobs, internship and career opportunities are posted in Handshake as well as information on upcoming career fairs and on-campus recruiting events.

Basic requirements for student access include enrollment in classes for the current term and good financial standing.

As part of the SEE Program, supervisors are required to post open student employment positions on Handshake:​

• Students are directed to Handshake through career services, making it a central hub for job opportunities​
• You can include additional information about the position in Handshake (anything that you want to communicate to interested applicants)
• Posting on Handshake increases visibility and helps students easily find on-campus jobs​
• This process supports a more equitable and consistent student job search experience

Why use both Workday and Handshake?​

• Workday and Handshake play distinct but complementary roles in the student employment process​
• Workday fulfills internal HR and payroll requirements, while Handshake focuses on outreach to students​
• Using both ensures accurate hiring workflows and intentional outreach to Ohio State’s student community​
• In summary: Use Workday to post the job - use Handshake to promote it to students!

If you are an employer looking to post positions or events to Ohio State students, please use the employer Handshake login.

If you or your students have any questions about accessing an account, please email handshake@osu.edu.

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Looking to Hire a Federal Work-Study Student?

The quickest way to get up to speed on all things work-study:

• Federal Work-Study Overview for Employers
• FWS Employer FAQ
• Federal Work-Study On-Campus Manual
• FWS Student FAQ
• FWS Student Employee Manual

Workday navigation information available on the Administrative Resource Center:

• Creating FWS positions
• FWS and finance

Do Your Students Need Help?

• More information on finding student employment at Ohio State: Visit the Finding Student Employment page on the SEE website.
• Federal Work-Study questions: Contact Student Financial Aid at sfa-jobs@osu.edu.
• Issues with Workday: Contact Human Resources at hrconnection@osu.edu. 
• Questions about the FAFSA, financial aid, appeals or fees: Refer inquiries to Buckeye Link.
• For more holistic support: Visit help.osu.edu.

Writing Effective Job Descriptions

• Be specific about duties: List core tasks clearly (e.g., “assist with event setup” vs. “help with events”). This helps students understand expectations and reduces confusion.
• Highlight transferable skills: Frame responsibilities in terms of skills students will gain (communication, teamwork, problem-solving). This makes the role more appealing and developmental.
• Use student-friendly language: Avoid jargon. Write in plain terms that resonate with students who may be new to professional work.
• Clarify qualifications: Separate “required” from “preferred” skills. Keep required skills minimal to avoid unintentionally excluding students.
• Include schedule flexibility: Note if hours can adapt to class schedules. Flexibility is one of the biggest draws for student employment.

Onboarding Student Employees

• Create a structured plan: Prepare a checklist for the first week (workspace tour, introductions, training modules). This helps students feel welcomed and reduces anxiety.
• Assign a peer mentor: Pair new hires with experienced student employees for informal guidance and community-building.
• Explain the “why”: Connect tasks to the bigger picture of your office’s mission. Students are more engaged when they see how their work matters.
• Normalize questions: Encourage students to ask for clarification. Many are in their first job and may hesitate without explicit permission.
• Provide early feedback: Schedule a check-in after the first two weeks to affirm strengths and address challenges.

Supporting Students in Their Role

• Recognize contributions: Celebrate milestones (first event staffed, first project completed). Recognition boosts confidence and retention.
• Offer skill development: Provide opportunities to learn beyond the job description (e.g., shadowing, workshops). This makes the role a high-impact practice.
• Build community: Organize occasional team lunches or informal gatherings. Students thrive when they feel connected.
• Prepare for transitions: Use an offboarding checklist to capture knowledge and thank students for their service.