Community Work-Study (CWS) Student Information

Preparing Students for Careers

The Alamo Colleges CWS Program provides federal financial aid-eligible students the opportunity to work part-time at a 501(c)3 non-profit or governmental agencies or at public school districts that serve the public interest. These positions bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world knowledge and develop your career and academic interests.

CWS offers numerous benefits for students, you:

  • have the opportunity to gain relevant career experience
  • may acquire additional clarity on your career choice
  • will see the community’s needs and contribute to the welfare of others
  • can make contacts with professionals who can help you when seeking a job or an internship
  • will build your resume to include work experience that is related to your field of study
  • improve your job prospects after graduation

To determine if you are ELIGIBLE and TO APPLY, see the FAQs below. 

If you do not find a CWS position that aligns with or is related to your major, you might consider the Private Work-Study (PWS) Program.

FAQs

How do I become ELIGIBLE for CWS?
How do I see the CWS jobs available and what are the steps TO APPLY?
  1. Go to alamo.edu/careerprep (ACES login required) 
  2. Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities, under Position Type select Community Work-Study and review the postings that end in CWS
  3. Select two positions that interest you. Ideally, that are aligned with your field of study (major)
  4. Create or reformat your resume in this required format: CWS.PWS Resume 2023
  5. Send your resume (as a WORD doc) and three job choices with zip code and name of employers to kdriscoll2@alamo.edu
  6. When you have completed the Human Resources process and your resume is reviewed (and edited as needed), it will be forwarded to the two employers you selected.
  7. You will be notified when your resume has been sent to the employers
  8. The agencies will contact you directly to schedule an interview once they review your resume. It is the agency’s discretion to offer an interview 
How is CWS different from on–campus work-study?
  • Workplace etiquette, professionalism, and appropriate dress is expected
  • Employers depend on your reliability and consistency with your regular work schedule
  • You are required to attend a Professional Development session (4 hours, paid) at the end of the first month you are employed
  • You are required to attend the End-of-Semester Summit (2 hours, paid) at the end of each semester 
What is the CWS Calendar?

CWS students may begin working on the first day of class through the last day of class each semester. CWS students may work through college breaks and holidays, if they chose, so long as the employer provides supervision, and remain work-study eligible. 

What is my commitment and how will I be paid?

When you accept a CWS job, you are committing to remaining with the employer for a minimum of one semester. Your position can be extended if the employer invites you to remain with them for the next semester.

You will determine your weekly schedule with your supervisor on the first day of work. The employer is required to work around your class schedule.

You may work up to 19 hours per week, based on your funding available, at the same pay rate as on-campus work-study students.

You will be paid on the 1st and the 15th of each month.

What type of CWS positions are available?

The following is a brief list of the over 250 positions available through the CWS program.

Accounting Assistant
Afterschool Program Assistant
Animal Care Receptionist
Archival Assistant
Business Administration Intern
Child Development Teacher
Community Kitchen Intern
Data and Records Assistant
Mental Health Assistant

Farmers Market Assistant
Finance Assistant
Garden Worker
Graphic Designer
Health Clinic Assistant
Hospital Community Liaison
HR Specialist
IT Specialist
Library Assistant

Marketing Associate
Media Intern
Radio Production Intern
Real Estate Leasing Assistant
Social Service Worker
STEM Club Assistant
Theater Scenic Assistant
Theater Box Office Attendant
Wellness Center Assistant
Youth Group Facilitator

To see the complete list of CWS positions, go to www.alamo.edu/careerprep (via ACES).

Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities, under Position Type select Community Work-Study, and review the postings that end in CWS.

What community agencies provide these work-study opportunities?

Below is a list of some of the CWS employers eager to hire Alamo Colleges work-study students. 

AES Literacy Institute
American Indians of Texas
Apple Community Development Corporation
Army Residence Community
Ascension DePaul Services
AVANCE
Boy Scouts of America
Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio
Children Matter
ChildSafe
Christus Santa Rosa
City of Converse
City of Kirby
City of San Antonio
Classical Music Institute
Dallas Free Press
disABILITYsa
East Central ISD.
Education Service Center, Region 20
Edwards Aquifer Authority
Empowering the Masses
Family Service Association

Gabriella’s Smile Foundation
Gardopia Gardens
Girls Inc. of San Antonio
Greater Randolph Area Services Program
Harlandale ISD.
I Care San Antonio
KLRN
Lackland ISD
Latched Support
Lighthouse Public Schools
Luminary Ministrie
Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Mexican American Unity Council
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
National Alliance on Mental Illness San Antonio
Oasis Center
Project 10:27 INC
Prosper West San Antonio
Rise, Inc.
SA Hope Center
SACRD.org
SAMMinistries

San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness
San Antonio Food Bank
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum, Inc.
SAY Si
St. Vinny’s Bistro
Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Texas Public Radio
The Bexar County Health Collaborative
The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society
The WEX Foundation
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
United Ways of Texas
Witte Museum
World Affairs Council of San Antonio

To see the complete listing of CWS employers, go to www.alamo.edu/careerprep (via ACES)

Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities, under Position Type select Community Work-Study and review the postings that end in CWS.

How do I APPLY?

Step 1. Submit Application

Click on  Off-Campus Work-Study Online Application

Scroll to Search Jobs, select your home college; Click “Apply Now,” submit application

Email dst-careerprep@alamo.edu and us know you have submitted your application

 

Step 2. Select Jobs

See the CWS jobs on the job board at  www.alamo.edu/careerprep  (goes through ACES)

                   On left, click on Work-Study Opportunities, then Employment Opportunities

                   Select Position Type: Community Work-Study, click Search

                   On right margin, select Sort By option

                   Click Search

                   Navigate to the bottom of the page to load all CWS Positions

Select up to 3 CWS jobs

 

Step 3. Format your Resume

                Create your resume, in this required format: CWS.PWS Resume

                Email your resume (as a WORD attachment) and up to 3 job choices to kdriscoll2@alamo.edu

                Edit your resume as directed

   

Step 4. Complete the Human Resources process

Sign Documents

  1. HR documents (Adobe Sign)
  2. Background Check (email from HIRE Right)
  3. ID verification (I9 Tracker)

Submit IDs/Bank information

  1. Two current IDs (License or State ID or Alamo Student ID & Social Security Card or Official Birth Certificate or US Passport)
  2. Direct deposit (A voided check, or direct deposit information from bank)

              

Step 5. Interview; Start Job

Accept job when offered a position

Read the CWS Student Handbook

Start job

 

Questions about CWS

Email dst-careerprep@alamo.edu

 

Contact Us

Phone:

210-485-0142

Email:

dst-careerprep@alamo.edu