For many college students, securing an on-campus job is a vital way to support their finances while gaining valuable work experience. However, at Hamilton College, students report significant challenges in finding these positions. Despite a high demand for student jobs, opportunities can feel limited and difficult to access, especially for incoming freshmen.
One of the biggest barriers for students seeking campus employment is competition from upperclassmen. Because Hamilton’s student body is relatively small, many of the on-campus job opportunities–especially desirable roles such as teaching assistants, peer tutors and research assistants–are often filled by sophomores, juniors and seniors. Not only are these students more familiar with the application process, but they also have established relationships with professors and campus departments. This gives them an advantage over younger students who may be looking for their first job on campus.
The job search platform Handshake, which Hamilton uses to post student job openings, also reflects this scarcity. Students report that at any given time, there may be only one or two campus jobs listed on Handshake, and these postings often remain up for an extended period. This scarcity is frustrating for students who are actively searching for work. Many positions are either already filled when they are posted or quickly go to students who already have an “in” with the department, leaving others to scramble for the few remaining spots.
Another issue that freshmen encounter is a lack of eligibility for certain jobs. Many positions require specific qualifications, such as prior experience or specialized training, which can be hard for first-year students to meet. For instance, roles that involve assisting in labs or tutoring typically favor students who have already taken advanced coursework in those areas. Incoming freshmen, who are still building their academic skills and credentials, often find that they do not meet the prerequisites for these positions. This restriction can leave them with limited options, particularly when combined with the competition from upperclassmen.
Adding to these obstacles, some students argue that the limited variety of jobs available on campus makes the situation even tougher. Many on-campus jobs at Hamilton are concentrated in specific areas. While certain jobs provide valuable work experience, students seeking jobs more closely aligned with their academic and career interests, like research or media roles, may find their options to be especially limited. These more specialized positions are often hard to come by and are typically filled quickly, leaving little chance for underclassmen to gain relevant work experience in their field of study.
For students who rely on campus jobs as a source of income, these challenges can be financially burdensome beyond their inconvenience. Without access to these positions, students who need extra income may be forced to look off-campus for work, which can lead to difficulties balancing academic commitments with job responsibilities. Off-campus jobs also tend to require transportation, an added expense and complication for students without easy access to a vehicle.
To address this scarcity, it could be possible that Hamilton could expand the number of job postings on Handshake and increase transparency around job availability. Regularly updating job listings, even for roles that are not currently open but are expected to open later, could give students a better sense of what to anticipate and help them prepare their applications in advance. It is also recommended that offering more introductory positions that require little or no prior experience allow freshmen to gain experience on campus and work their way into more specialized roles over time.
Ultimately, job scarcity on campus is an issue that affects many Hamilton students. By addressing these challenges and creating a more accessible job market on campus, Hamilton could better support students in their efforts to gain work experience and financial stability during their college years.
