Penn students have a lot more on their plates than just studying. Over 3,000 are involved with work-study programs, helping to fund their education.
Yet, these work-study programs are not just on Penn's campus -- students are branching out all over the state and sometimes into New Jersey.
According to Karen McKoy, the coordinator of off-campus work-study, there are 90 Penn students, including both graduates and undergraduates, who are employed at off-campus work-study jobs.
These students make up just a small portion of the almost 3,000 students currently participating in work-study, according to John Rudolph of the Student Employment Office. Those working on campus tend to be newer to the school and the Philadelphia area and therefore find it more convenient to work within the Penn community, according to Rudolph.
Nevertheless, off-campus "jobs tend to be very popular," McKoy said, "because students earn more and receive more realistic experiences."
Students who work for off-campus jobs have a base salary rate of $8.25, but McKoy explained that some employers offer as much as $15 per hour, especially to well-qualified graduate students.
Off-campus employment provides students with the "opportunity to network, put their skills to use [and possibly an opportunity] to continue to work for the organization after they graduate," McKoy said.
Paul James, a graduate student in the School of Arts and Sciences, experienced the benefits of working as a program manager at a nonprofit organization called Seed Ventures.
According to McKoy, Seed Ventures only got started last year and is new to the off-campus job market, but has been attracting many students into the nonprofit sector.
While at Seed Ventures, James said he "oversaw grant development and writing ... [with a] primary focus on a leadership development project geared toward creating opportunity for West Philadelphia youths."
This nonprofit community service-related sector is just one of the many areas of off-campus employment opportunities. Students looking for off-campus jobs can work for government agencies, museums, schools and even the Eastern State Penitentiary.
A Better Chance, Inc., a group that provides assistance and educational opportunities to young people of color, is one example of a company looking for student interns. According to its online job description, "the program interns work primarily with the college preparatory schools' program staff ... to coordinate and maximize efforts and student support."
For those interested in helping preserve the environment, the Clean Air Council and Pennsylvania Environmental Council also offer jobs to Penn students.
While Student Financial Services offers many jobs for students looking to work off campus, McKoy explained that "students bring a lot to our attention," and most of the time students actually go out into the city and find their own jobs to bring back to Penn and get approval as a qualified work-study position. For example, a Philadelphia organization supporting the civil rights of gays and lesbians has recently been added to the job offerings list.
