1. The new Peak job program
Providing students with Professional experience, achievement, & knowledge

2. Vision
Southern Oregon University will develop and maintain a robust student employment program that more effectively engages students through campus jobs that:
Encourage rich relationships with faculty and staff
Foster professional curiosity and competency
Engender a sense of substantive contribution to the SOU community

3. goals
By Fall of 2013, Southern Oregon University will have created 50 new substantive student jobs. By Fall of 2017, Southern Oregon University will be able to offer substantive on-campus employment opportunities for all interested students.

4. purpose
To use substantive student employment as a means of engaging students with the hope of…
Improving student job search skills
Identifying open positions
Crafting compelling application materials
Interviewing effectively
Providing professional development opportunities
Career exploration
Acquisition of technical skills
Networking
Professionalism
Improving employability of students after graduation
Increasing student retention
Providing SOU with high quality, low cost labor

5. Program basics
PEAK Jobs – Professional Experience, Achievement, and Knowledge
50 new campus jobs for students enrolled in classes at least half time (6 credit hours)
Employer pays for only 25% of the student’s wages and the University pays for the rest
Positions can range from 8-20 hours per week
Pay can range from $10-$12 per hour
New positions cannot replace existing positions
PEAK Jobs are not work-study eligible
Positions must be deemed substantive
Students attend training sessions to acquaint them with expectations associated with professional positions

6. Student application process
Post the position on CareerLink
Collect resumes from each applicant
Conduct at least a brief in-person interview with the finalist(s)

7. Training, supervision, & Evaluation
Provide any necessary training and orientation
Commit to regular supervision with the student in order to:
Provide ongoing feedback on the student’s performance
Identify areas of improvement
Discuss upcoming goals
Share “big picture” as context for student’s work (i.e., how does the work benefit SOU)
Assist student’s with professional development
Answer questions
Provide opportunity for student feedback
Conduct a formal evaluation of the student at the end of each quarter

8. Substantive job responsibilities
Your requested position should be able to demonstrate at least some of the following characteristics:
Work that requires specialized training or knowledge
Tasks that result in quantifiable accomplishments
Direct connection to professional field or academic major
Knowledge
Skills
Opportunity to participate in project from creation through implementation
Opportunities for professional collaboration with faculty, staff, and students
Emphasis on most valuable transferable skills:
Leadership
Problem-solving
Written communication
Verbal communication
Team work
Analysis/problem solving
Computer

9. request a position Ask yourself these questions:
Do I have enough work?
Is it substantive?
Do I have funds to cover 25% of the wages?
You may submit multiple requests, assuming the answer to the questions above is yes for each position
Submit a request for a position by visiting
The priority deadline for submitting a position request is April 26, but requests can be submitted as late as May 10

10. After you submit your request
Review Team will be meeting every other week beginning Week 2 of Spring Term to review requests
Supervisors of approved new positions will be notified as decisions are made, no later than Week 8 of Spring Term
Students will be able to apply for approved positions beginning this summer and into registration week
Shortly before or after beginning their positions, hired students will attend an orientation training session designed to acquaint them with the expectations of a professional position

11. Questions?
CONTACT: Max Brooks Marjorie Trueblood-Gamble