How to find a job off campus

By: Career & Community Engagement Center

Introduction:

• What is off-campus work
• 10 min activity
• Benefits of off-campus work
• How to find a job off-campus
• How to contact off-campus employers
• 5 min activity
• Resources
• Jobs!

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Quick intro

Background : Moved to Walla Walla in 2021 and started working in Walla Walla for 2 years while I was attending classes at Whitman.

Work off campus has taught me lots of valuable skills that are influential and beneficial throughout my work and academic career.

I understand how off-campus work can be daunting for students in a new environment/city.

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10 Min Activity

With a partner or group, discuss: What are the benefits of working off campus?

Consider some of the jobs in Walla Walla:

Food service, bartending, baristas, customer service, retail, sales associates, managers, hair stylists, wine service.

• What skills can be learned?
• What kinds of benefits are included in this line of work?
• What are positive takeaways that can improve your career or academics?

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The benefits of Off-Campus Jobs

• Engaging with diverse individuals
• A broad spectrum of professional backgrounds
• Employment perks such as:
• Potential for higher pay exceeding minimum wage ($15.74)
• Discounts
• Complimentary items
• Real-world exposure to enhance your career prospects; building connections within the community

How to Find a Job Off Campus

• Explore various fields that capture your interest.
• Recognize the fundamental skills gained from previous work experiences.
• Consider coordinating transportation and scheduling alongside your academic commitments.
• Commence your search by exploring opportunities!

(Links will be provided at the conclusion of the presentation slides.)

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How to Contact Off-Campus Employers

There are 3 ways of contacting local employers. You can use a mix and match of these:

in person, phone call, and or email

• For any or each of them be sure to introduce yourself and explain the purpose of contacting them.
• Create a dialogue with employers or supervisors in Walla Walla.
• Be polite always thank them for their time.

Contacting employers continued

• Lots of employers in downtown Walla Walla appreciate in person meetings. (this does not mean you can not email or call them)
• If the employers you contact are not hiring ask them if any other local employers are hiring.
• Be clear that you are also a student at Whitman College and may need to work around your academic schedule.
• Be as honest with your intentions as possible. (i.e longevity of your work)

Which organizations in Walla Walla have hired Whitties?

(5 minutes)

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In your group, write down a few places you know that have hired Whitman students in the past. You could have personally worked there, or perhaps a friend, or maybe you heard from another student.

Example of Local Employers: City of Walla Walla

Discover Jobs in Walla Walla:

https://www.wallawallawa.gov/government/human-resources

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12xs1DepdTD9nmaD8gKI3PAP3HmrmnsY-cHs7hqDLtSg/edit?usp=sharing

When Using a Job Search Site

You want to use specific language for jobs. Search for positions (“social media associate or manager” versus using a generic term. A specific term will connect you with better search results.

Make sure you correctly identify the level of position. If you are looking for an entry level position, mark that in the filters.

Double check the website of the employer to ensure that the job is still up! Sometimes hiring managers forget to remove postings from places like Indeed or LinkedIn.

Example from Indeed.com

Example from Indeed.com

Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

Rover - Dog walking, dog sitting, etc. Rates can start at $12-15/for 30 minute walk. Pet sitting (overnight) can start at $40/night.

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Wag - Dog walking, dog sitting, etc. Similar to Rover.

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Pitch yourself via the Community Listserv!

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Doordash

With three colleges in town, there is a high need for food delivery services!

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You can utilize the app to deliver food to people in Walla Walla.

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Wages can range for how much you make with Doordash.

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Take into consideration: time and gas prices.

Other Apps

Care.com: “Their easy-to-use digital platform is a straightforward way to find and pay for a babysitter, nanny, or tutor. It’s also a top pick when it comes to online reviews and ratings of caregivers.” - Healthline

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Questions?

ions?