It’s that time of year again when students are scrambling to find employment for the summer. And students might want to scramble a little more earnestly because the application deadline for UNB’s Summer Employment Program is fast approaching on Friday, March 16.
The program, which according to the UNB website is “designed to assist undergraduate students from under-represented groups with the high costs associated with post-secondary education,” is coordinated by UNB’s Career Development & Employment Centre. The centre also coordinates the work-study program during the regular academic year.
According to Anita Connolly, director of the Employment Centre, the centre wants to help students build their “career and employment-related skills” by making these work terms available. There are currently 22 positions available for the summer, including research and projects assistants, laboratory technicians, student stage manager and student nurse.
“Working on campus helps students make the necessary connections between their chosen field of study and the skills, values and interests they develop throughout their employment experience,” said Connolly.
Around 250 students apply for work study and Summer Employment Program positions each year. The labour cost for Summer Employment Program students is shared between the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) and the UNB faculty, staff or department with an approved position.
SEP positions are 36.25 hours per week for 12 weeks. Successful student candidates will get paid $13 per hour plus vacation and holiday pay, amounting to $14.04 per hour. UNB employees contribute $5.40 per hour in labour cost and the remaining is covered by PETL.
Students who want to apply for Summer Employment Program must complete a resume and cover-letter writing workshop and a financial assessment to confirm their eligibility for the program. The application process has been modified recently, allowing students to upload their resumes and cover letters through D2L.
SEP applicants must have be full time undergraduate students with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0. Summer Employment Program employers cannot ask for a minimum GPA in the job description. However, they can request signed permission from a potential candidate for an academic background review.