As a student graphic designer for the college of business at a large university, I truly enjoy helping build the college brand, working closely with faculty and staff, and getting experience in my field. Through trial and error (and a great sense of humor) my boss has figured out how to provide students with hands-on learning experience in a way that is efficient and beneficial to the university. As one of the 11 student workers in our office, I’ve observed some do’s and don’ts to remember when using student talent.
- DO use student talent appropriately. Whether students are doing this as a hobby or a career, we are still learning. Take the time at the interview stage to figure out where we stand in skills and experience, and make our assignments commensurate with that. We’re probably not ready to produce prime-time TV commercials, for instance, but we are happy to get experience taking headshots, interviewing guest speakers, and shooting campus events.
- DON’T assume we can’t do big projects. As we prove our capabilities, just like any other employee, give us opportunities to move up the food chain. I am studying branding, for example, so for a recent College event I designed a full suite of branded materials that included a PowerPoint slide, flyer, program, event signage, and T-shirt.
- DO take advantage of students’ fluid schedules. Students give you the capability to cover more of the events already happening on campus, including the after-hours ones that 9-5 staffers might gladly give up. And our student status lets us blend into the crowd and potentially find a different, more student-centric angle.
- DON’T forget we’re students. We have a load of classes, roles in student organizations, and roommates that eat the last of our cereal, and we’re bound to drop the ball every once in a while. To enhance coordination between institution staff and students, it can be extremely helpful to use project management and file sharing systems. We use Trello and Dropbox to store files and keep track of projects’ status.
- DO make the most of our social media savvy. When it comes to maintaining creative and relevant social media accounts, students are a strategic advantage. Since a majority of students actively use and participate in social media, we have a clear understanding of the language and culture of different sites. From Instagram contests to Snapchat shout-outs to knowing the latest memes, students can assist in brainstorming inventive and authentic social media campaigns and posts.
As a student worker myself, I considerably value the experience and education this job has provided me. The relationships I built have not only opened doors for my career, but the experience has truly made me feel further invested in the college of business and my university overall. (And while I use the term “invested” figuratively here, maybe that will change once I graduate!)
Katie McGee is a senior media arts and design major at James Madison University, where she works as a graphic designer for the College of Business and serves as president of the campus’s student chapter of the American Advertising Federation. She is a marketing intern for SimpsonScarborough.
