On-campus jobs and work-study
The university employs ~1,800 students each semester across 200+ departments. Federal Work-Study (FWS) eligibility (determined by FAFSA) gives you priority for ~60% of positions — the subsidy covers 75% of your wages, so departments stretch their budgets further. Non-FWS positions (department-funded) are open to all students. Wage tiers (2025–26): Tier 1 (entry: dining, custodial, library shelving) $11.50/hr; Tier 2 (skilled: lab assistant, IT help desk, tutoring, makerspace monitor) $13.00/hr; Tier 3 (specialized: research assistant, peer advisor, Forge Makerspace lead, writing consultant) $15.50/hr. Max hours: 20 hrs/week during terms, 40 hrs/week during breaks (FWS earnings cap applies). Payroll: biweekly, direct deposit required (set up in the portal).
The student employment portal
Handshake@Porter (portal login) is the single job board: on-campus, off-campus, co-ops, internships, and alumni-posted roles. Filters: work-study only, remote/hybrid, major-relevant, hours/week, wage tier. Application: upload resume + cover letter (templates in the portal), answer screening questions, submit. Timeline: fall positions post July 1, close Aug 15; spring positions post Nov 1, close Dec 15; summer positions post Mar 1, close Apr 15. Interviews: virtual or in-person; departments move fast — check email daily. The Career Services Resume Lab (Tuesdays 2–4 p.m., Student Services Center) and Mock Interview Fridays (sign up in Handshake) are free and highly recommended.
Co-ops and internships for credit
Co-op programs (alternating semesters of full-time work and full-time study) exist in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Plastics Engineering, Construction Management, and Business Administration. Typical cycle: apply sophomore year, first work term spring junior year, graduate in 5 years with 12–18 months of paid experience. Average co-op wage: $19–$26/hr. Internships for credit (1–3 credits, 120–360 hours) are available in almost every major — requires a faculty sponsor, a learning agreement, and a final reflection paper. The Career Services Co-op/Internship Coordinator helps with search strategy, employer outreach, and credit paperwork.
Off-campus and community jobs
Major local employers who hire students regularly: Porter Valley Bank (teller, loan processing, IT), Porter County Public Schools (paraeducator, after-school, summer camp), DNR Porter District (field tech, GIS, visitor services), Valley Health (CNA, scribe, front desk), Porter County Co-op (grocery, bakery, delivery), and the Depot District restaurants (server, line cook, barback). The Community Resources page lists volunteer-to-hire pathways. Transportation: the Porter Loop connects campus to all major employment zones; the regional coach reaches Lake City employers in 40 min.
Balancing work and academics
Data from the Academic Advising office: students working 10–15 hrs/week have higher average GPAs than non-working peers (structure helps); GPA dips significantly above 20 hrs/week. Guidelines: first-years — max 10 hrs/week on campus; sophomores+ — 15 hrs/week if GPA 3.0+, 10 hrs if below. Red flags: missing classes for shifts, pulling all-nighters before exams, skipping meals. The Student Services Work-Life Balance Workshop (monthly, 1 hr) covers time-blocking, boundary-setting with supervisors, and the “No” Script for extra shifts during finals. Emergency leave: up to 5 unpaid days/semester for illness/family crisis — notify supervisor + Student Employment Office.
Building your resume
Every campus job can be a resume line — if you frame it right. Formula: Action verb + scope + outcome. Examples: “Managed $12K annual budget for student org events, reducing costs 18% through vendor negotiation” (Treasurer, Student Government); “Designed and 3-D printed 50+ custom jigs for Forge Makerspace users, cutting setup time 40%” (Makerspace Lead); “Tutored 15 students/week in Calculus I–II, 92% pass rate vs. 78% cohort average” (Math Tutor). The Career Services Resume Review Drop-In (Mon–Thu 1–3 p.m.) and LinkedIn Photo Booth (first Friday monthly, free headshot) turn student jobs into career capital.
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. The employment programs, wages, employers, and statistics described here are invented for this fictional university and town. No real employment data or programs are depicted.