What does a Student Assistant do?
A student assistant is a position available on many college campuses. The position is usually part-time and entails a university student working on campus to gain on-the-job experience. A student assistant will carry out administrative and technical tasks requested by a supervisor. Depending on the area the student assistant is employed in, they may assist and mentor other students or provide support throughout the campus in various forms. Many students holding the title of student assistant are further along in their educational journey and have exceptional grades and work ethic.
The required education for the position can vary widely, but a general requirement for the job title is the active enrollment at the college. A student assistant is usually hired to fulfill roles closely matching their stated career path and are given the opportunity to develop real-world skills in the field. Employees who tend to excel in the position have excellent multitasking and time management abilities.
- Meet with students and parents to advise on steps necessary to complete admission and financial aid forms correctly
- Assist professors and other administrative personnel in filing and providing photos copies
- Perform administrative duties relating to students' programs.
- Manage and maintain sensitive student information in physical and online files
- Oversee and manage displays and bulletin boards announcing seminars and course offerings
- Assist admissions in processing potential student admission form and ensure their proper completion
- Interact with students through phone and email addressing their questions and concerns
- Welcome new students and assist them in completing admission paperwork
- Education requirements vary by department employed, but some education is required
- Student Assistant hire must be an actively enrolled student on campus and maintain an exceptional grade point average
- Ability to multitask and prioritize objectives to meet deadlines
- Exceptional spoken and written communication skills in English are required
- Ability to proactively determine the needs of new and existing students and to manage them efficiently
- Experience working with and organizing personal and sensitive information
- Intermediate or advanced proficiency using Google and Microsoft suite
- Work experience using database and data entry software
- Extensive understanding of university standards and procedures are essential
Student Assistant Salaries
Average Base Pay
Student Assistant Career Path
Learn how to become a Student Assistant, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Average Years of Experience
Student Assistant Insights
UC Irvine“I work at the Division of Career Pathways (career center at UCI) and everyone is so amazing and nice.”
Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz“my supervisor was kind of disant from me so I didn't get the supervision I needed”
St. Mary's College of California“The mileage reimbursement was awful (didn't let me choose between hours spent traveling vs. actual mileage traveled).”
EPFL“Good way to earn some money during your studies as a student assistant for courses.”
Health Promotion Board“It was enjoyable and not that much work at some outlets”
San José State University“Everyone is nice and willing to teach what you don't know”
Georgia Southern University“Good hours and experience for chosen career path”
Madison Area Technical College“Good place to work and nice”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Student Assistant
- Instructor
- Substitute Teacher
- Teaching Assistant
- Teacher