How to Motivate College Students During Short-Term Employment

While most jobs are meant to be long-term, many students opt for short-term jobs, especially if the job is near campus. This allows them the flexibility to have a job that works with their semester schedule without having to worry about leaving for breaks. However, students may find it difficult to stay motivated during short-term jobs. As an employer, you are in a position to help them stay committed and motivated to be successful in the short time they are with you and your company.

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Provide feedback

Students are likely working for your company to help them learn something about your field, whether or not they are studying it or not. As a student, they are constantly receiving feedback from professors to help them grow. You can provide feedback for their job. This will help make sure they are learning how to do their job and are on the right track. Be sure to provide positive feedback as well as guidance for their job. If giving guidance, do so in a constructive way and avoid micromanaging. Harsh criticism can cause the student employee to dislike your company and possibly question their future. However, guidance in a way that supports their growth can help them see their potential.

Provide mentoring

To help your student workers learn, consider setting up a mentoring program or mentoring the students yourself. Ask your students what their career goals are and allow them to meet up with other employees who are further along the path your students want to be on. This way, the students have an opportunity to learn from more experienced coworkers who they can touch base with. Since your student is short-term, have them meet up with their mentors at least weekly to keep up and make the most of their time together.

Celebrate accomplishments

Your employee may be short-term, but they have the potential to make long-term impacts through the work they do and the things they achieve. Make an effort to point out things your student employee is doing well and congratulate them when they accomplish something and meet goals. If they meet a goal but do not feel like it was appreciated, they may feel a sense of resentment towards a company and may not be as motivated to meet future goals. Acknowledging even small tasks done well can give them motivation that they are doing well. You do not have to say something for every small thing, but make it a point to acknowledge their success every so often.

Office food or treats

Bring in food or treats for your employees, including your student workers. College students have tight budgets, so having food provided for them can help them with their budget so they can focus on doing their work and not be hungry or worrying about affording food. Even if it is just once a week, it can be helpful for student workers and other employees. Make sure your employees do not have any food sensitivities or allergies.

To-do lists

It is important that your employees know what their tasks are and what their purpose is. This is especially true if you have short-term student employees. They need to have a clear sense of what they are there to do while they are at work so they can be effective and meet their goals. Otherwise, they may struggle to know what their purpose is, which can lead to them feeling like their work is not making a difference in your company. Make to-do lists and make sure your student employee knows exactly how these tasks align with the company’s goals and their purpose for helping the company.

Skill development

Students are in school to learn skills to enter the workforce, and their work with your company can be an extension of that. They may be working at your company to learn more about how to do skills that will help them directly in the field they want to go into after graduation. Giving them a chance to learn things even beyond what they were hired to do can help motivate them to succeed in their job. Allow them to ask questions and have them complete tasks that may be a step beyond their comfort zone.

Reduce stress

If a student feels any kind of stress about coming to work, they will not be motivated to be there and do their best. However, if they are in a place that allows them to manage their stress well and feel supported when things get tough, they will be more likely to be motivated to do well and be committed to doing their job. Take time to ask employees how they are doing and actually care. Allow for open communication so they can bring their concerns to you and take steps to eliminate any issues that are causing stress.

Even though student employees may only be with your company for a short period, they still deserve to feel like they can be committed to the company. As a manager, making their experience with your company the best it can be will help the student worker and your company in the long run.