Private-Sector Work-Study (PWS) Student Information
The Private-Sector Work-Study (PWS) Program provides federal financial aid eligible students the opportunity to work part-time at area businesses to provide students the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience through relevant work experiences. These positions bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world knowledge and develop your career and academic interests. Private-sector employers are businesses that seek to generate profit by providing goods and services to paying customers.
PWS offers numerous benefits for students, you will:
- enrich your academic knowledge
- gain relevant career experience
- acquire additional clarity on your career choice
- understand the mission of a business that provides services or products to customers
- make contacts with professionals who can help you later when seeking a job or an internship
- build your resume to include work experience that is related to your field of study
- improve your job prospects after graduation
PWS is available to work-study eligible students in all majors, although there may not always be positions available related to each major. Students are limited to applying only to positions that are aligned with or relevant to their field of study or major.
If you do not find a PWS position that aligns with or is related to your major, you can apply for a Community Work-Study (CWS) Program job.
Applying for a PWS position is a competitive process. Employers are looking for students with either some work experience or completed relevant course work, as well as students who are doing well academically, so GPA can be important.
FAQs
- Be eligible for Federal College Work-Study
- Submit a Work-Study Application
- the application for Spring 2022 opens January 4, 2022, and closes on March 4, 2022.
- Remain enrolled in a minimum of six college hours, three hours at your home college, all of which must be required for your degree plan
- Complete the Alamo Colleges District HR Hiring process (you will be emailed by the Alamo Colleges Human Resources Department); Failure to respond promptly to HR or submit incomplete requested information will delay your hiring process.
- Go to alamo.edu/careerprep (ACES login required)
- Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities,
- Under Position Type select Private-Sector Work-Study
- Review the postings that end in PWS
- Because employers are paying a portion of student wages, these positions tend to be highly competitive. Completion of relevant courses, work experience, and GPA are important considerations
- Workplace etiquette, professionalism, and appropriate dress is expected
- Employers depend on your reliability and consistency with your regular work schedule
PWS students may begin working on the first day of class through the last day of class each semester. PWS students may work through college breaks and holidays, if they chose, so long as the employer provides supervision, and remain work-study eligible.
When you accept a PWS 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 pay rate (minimum of $15.33) the employer has indicated on the job posting.
You will be paid on the 1st and the 15th of each month.
The following is a brief list of the over 100 positions available through the PWS program.
|
Accounting Asst
|
CNC Machinist |
Manufacturing Asst |
To see the complete list of PWS positions, go to www.alamo.edu/careerprep (via ACES).
Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities, under Position Type select Private-Sector Work-Study and review the postings that end in PWS.
Below is a list of some of the SA employers eager to hire Alamo Colleges work-study students.
|
4 Paws Animal Hospital |
Delgado Law Firm |
REEP Management
|
To see the complete list of PWS employers, go to www.alamo.edu/careerprep (via ACES).
Click on Work-Study and Internship Opportunities, under Position Type select Private-Sector Work-Study and review the postings that end in PWS.
Step 1. Submit Application
- Click on Off-Campus Work-Study Online Application
- Scroll to Search Jobs, select your home college;
- Click“Apply Now,” submit the application
- Email dst-careerprep@alamo.eduand us know you have submitted your application
Step 2. Select Jobs
- See the PWS jobs on the job board atalamo.edu/careerprep (goes through ACES)
- On the left, click on Work-Study Opportunities, then Employment Opportunities
- Select Position Type: Private-Sector Work-Study, click Search
- On the right margin, select Sort By option
- Click Search
- Navigate to the bottom of the page to load all CWS Positions
- Select up to 3 PWS jobs
Step 3. Format your Resume
- Create your resume, in this required format: CWS.PWS Resume EG
- Write a cover letter for each selected job, in this required format: PWS Cover Letter
- Email your resume and cover letter(s) (as a WORD attachment) and up to dst-careerprep@alamo.edu
- Edit your resume and cover letter(s) as directed
Step 4. Complete the Human Resources process
- Sign Documents
- HR documents (Adobe Sign)
- Background Check (email from HIRE Right)
- ID verification (I9 Tracker)
- Submit IDs/Bank information
- Two current IDs (License or State ID or Alamo Student ID & Social Security Card or Official Birth Certificate or US Passport)
- Direct deposit (A voided check, or direct deposit information from the bank)
Step 5. Interview; Start Job
- Accept job when offered a position
- Read the Off-Campus Work-Study Student Handbook
- Start job
Questions about CWS
Email dst-careerprep@alamo.edu
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