The National Student Employment Association has designated the second full week in April each year for colleges and universities across the U.S. to recognize the value of student employees and student employment professionals. This year the National Student Employment Week will be held from April 11-17. 

While in school, students can gain benefits from their work experience and the skills they develop through their time can help them succeed both during and after college. Katie Korpi, director of career services, said that the career services value the opportunity to not only encourage students to pursue this type of real-world skill development but also aim to ensure that, they as supervisors, recognize their efforts. 

“This has been a particularly challenging year, so a ‘thanks for your hard work’ is more important than ever. In our office, the student staff is key contributors to what we do, and how we do it,” Korpi said. “We are lucky to have such a fantastic team, and we suspect this is true across campus as well.”

The career services have collaborated in the past to create and share a video thanking student employees, posted a banner and encouraged departments who hire student employees to provide some type of recognition to their employees. This was done either by a simple thank you or even a small gift.

“In the past, this has been focused on how to thank students who were physically working on-campus, though, with the pandemic, we’ve had to adapt to the virtual environment,” Kara Cox, principal secretary of career services said. “Last year, we made suggestions as to how departments might thank students working remotely. This year, things aren’t quite back to full staff on-campus, so we’ve provided recommendations for both.”

Ally Kozina, shift lead at Northern Lights Dining, is one of the many student employees on campus and has been working at NLD since the start of her college experience in 2018. Kozina’s favorite part about being a student employee is the people she works with.

“I’ve never walked out of the building without having a good time with a coworker,” Kozina said. 

Kozina said that during her time at NLD she has learned many skills that will continue on after college when in the workforce. One of those skills is learning how to roll with the punches.

“Things change very quickly and you have to adjust on a short notice,” Kozina said. “I’ve also learned how to be more confrontational.”

The NLD shares their appreciation for their employees through words of affirmation, expressing their gratitude in emails throughout the semester for all their hard work. Outside of NLD, NMU will be participating in the celebration by giving out free printing opportunities on campus.

“We are grateful for all of our student workers and want to celebrate your dedication this week,” Lydia M. Olson Library said. “Stop in one of these buildings and print your papers for free as our thank you.”

To receive your free printing in either black and white or color, students can go to the library, PEIF and Jacobetti Complex. The locations are sponsored by the Dean of Students Office, Printing Services and the Lydia M. Olsen Library. Students will still need to swipe their NMU ID and select their print job, however, no money will be subtracted from the account.