Tufts Blogs

I know what you’re thinking: This guy has the coolest job in the world! He gets paid to write about his experiences at college!

Yup, nobody’s got it better than me. But, if you were to come to Tufts, you might just be able to get a job as cool as this one (or an even cooler one). So, here is the backstory on how I became a blogger for “Jumbo Talk,” along with some other suggestions for how to find the best student employment opportunities at Tufts. 

The summer before my sophomore year, I evaluated the experiences of my freshman year, especially regarding extracurriculars. In the weeks leading up to the fall semester, I concluded that I had joined some great social and academic organizations on campus, such as club baseball and The Tufts Daily, but that I wanted to further engage on campus and build my resume by getting an on-campus job or research experience. I had, and still do, distribute The Daily, though that only amounts to around an hour a week. So, I logged onto Handshake (which is the first of my tips in this blog) and clicked Tufts University under the Employers section. Many of the jobs posted by various Tufts bodies, from Tisch Library to Tufts Technology Services, are posted there. 

After finding the job posting for a “Jumbo Talk” blogger, I was immediately intrigued, as it combined two things I love: writing and Tufts. I attached my resume and cover letter to the Handshake posting and submitted my application before the deadline, which was during the first week of the fall semester. A little over a week later, Indigo, a former Assistant Director of Admissions, reached out to schedule a 30-minute Zoom interview. A week or so after that, I was writing away. 

Beyond checking Handshake, another great way to find an on-campus job is by reaching out to department administrators over email. Each academic discipline has a department administrator under the “Staff” page on its website, who manages personnel and operations. They are always looking for help in the department office, and these positions present opportunities to get homework done while working. Outside of the academic departments, libraries and buildings like Hillel are usually searching for reference and front desk employees. Don’t hesitate to reach out to their staff to inquire about availability. Another useful tip—look out for social media posts with job opportunities. Many departments, including Tufts Athletic Communications, frequently post job openings on Instagram. 

Lastly, make sure to reach out to professors. Whether they are looking for research assistants, know that their department could use another pair of hands, or can help connect you with a summer internship opportunity, they are responsive, caring resources who will do their best to assist in your job search. 

Overall, finding an on-campus job is easy at Tufts. Whether the opportunity comes through social media, a cold email, or a friendly professor, they are great ways to earn money, get to know the Tufts community better, and help out some fellow Jumbos. 

Photo Credit: Tufts Career Center