Click here to jump straight to our list of FAQs for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Download our PowerPoint overview of student employment to learn more and get started.
Handshake is your career management platform where you can discover resources, find and apply to jobs, search prospective employers and much more! If you are an incoming student to Texas State, your account will be automatically created once you have registered for courses. Once your account has been created, you will log in through SSO (single-sign-on) using your NetID and corresponding password.
Here are a few ways to get started:
Career Services offers personalized one-on-one support for your job search and application materials. If you are waiting for Handshake access or need guidance getting started, we’re here to help. Explore the resources below for helpful tips, or click the button to learn how you can meet with us!
Ready to find your next job?
Explore a variety of on-campus and off-campus opportunities tailored just for students. Click below to discover positions that fit your schedule and goals!
Between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., connect with both on- and off-campus employers who are looking to hire students at our Part-Time Job Fairs!
As you continue your student employment journey, it’s just as important to participate in events that help you become career ready.
Check out the events and resources below designed to build your skills, expand your network, and prepare you for success after graduation!
ASYNCHRONOUS ASSIGNMENT OPTION FOR US 1100 PATHWAYS – Complete prior to “event” deadline for credit (recommended to complete in early/mid September)
In Canvas, join the Career Success Toolkit site maintained by Career Services. Complete the “Job/Internship Search” module in the Career Success Toolkit to build early career readiness skills.
You'll complete two assignments:
Your work will be graded on completion and effort, and you’ll receive feedback after submission.
If you have any questions, please contact Madyson Flint, Career Exploration Coordinator for Career Services and US 1100 instructor, at MLS332@txstate.edu. Be sure to leave enough time for a response (typically 2 business days).
Click here for more informationLet’s be real: Career fairs can feel incredibly overwhelming.
If the thought of talking to employers makes your stomach drop, or if you’re staring at a blank page wondering how to write a resume—we get it, and it’s 100% normal. There is zero judgment here. Whether you have a 5-year plan or don't even know what a cover letter is, we’ve got your back.
To help take some of the pressure off, drop by our Career Cafe—no appointment needed. Just pull up, grab a free coffee, and chat with our friendly career educators.
📍 The Details
Location: LBJ Student Center, Room 502 (Career Services Office), Career Cafe Area
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Vibe: Relaxed, welcoming, and completely free of pressure.
💬 We can help you with:
Resumes: “I don’t have one,” “Is this okay?” or “Do I need to bring it?” (We'll help you start from scratch!)
The "How Do I Human?" Intro: How to introduce yourself and start a conversation less awkwardly.
The LinkedIn Kickstart: How to set up your profile from scratch (or make your current one look good).
The Interview Mystery: Demystifying how interviews actually work.
The Fit Check: Easy advice on what to wear so you feel confident and comfortable.
Or just a pep talk! We are here to listen and help you take it one step at a time.
🎁Bonus Perk: If you attend at least 3 out of our 5 Career Fair Prep Week events, you'll score a free, exclusive Career Services T-shirt!🎁
***Can't make it to this one? We have another drop-in session on Friday, 9/18 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (same location, same free coffee, and same welcoming vibe!).***
View event on Handshake: txstate.joinhandshake.com…
Click here for more informationStop by to learn about internship events and resources from Career Services! It's a great day to #BeABobcatIntern.
Click here for more informationNervous about talking to employers at the career fair? We get it. That’s why we’re bringing in 3 real employers for a casual, low-stakes chat before the main event.
This is a safe space to practice networking, test out your introduction, ask questions about company culture, and get comfortable chatting with recruiters.
What’s in it for you?
🥨 Free Snacks: Grab a bite while you chat.
🗣️ Cheatsheet Included: We’ll provide go-to talking points and conversation starters so you’re not stuck wondering what to say.
💡 Real Feedback: Get insider advice from actual employers on how to make a great first impression.
Come for the snacks, stay for the confidence boost, and secure the plot for the career fair! 🚀
Event Details:
📍 Where: LBJSC 505
⏰ When: Sep 15 2:30pm
🎁Bonus Perk: If you attend at least 3 out of our 5 Career Fair Prep Week events, you'll score a free, exclusive Career Services T-shirt!🎁
View event on Handshake: txstate.joinhandshake.com…
Click here for more informationWe’ve all been there: you walk into a career fair, see an employer booth you actually like, and suddenly think, "Wait... what do I even say first?"
You aren’t alone, and it is completely okay to feel anxious about introducing yourself to employers. That’s why we are keeping things low-pressure, supportive, and actually practical.
Welcome to Pitch Perfect!
In this interactive workshop, we’ll help you figure out how to talk about your skills, your major, and your goals in a way that feels natural and authentically you. Whether you are prepping for the career fairs or just want to feel more confident talking to professionals, we've got you covered.
🌟 Meet Your Facilitator
This session is led by Dr. Angélica Carrington, a proud Texas State alum and the Career Educator for the College of Applied Arts! She knows exactly what it's like to navigate the TXST journey and is excited to help you find your voice.
📍 The Details
Location: LBJ Student Center, Room 505
Time: 9/16 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎁Bonus Perk: If you attend at least 3 out of our 5 Career Fair Prep Week events, you'll score a free, exclusive Career Services T-shirt!🎁
***Can't make it to this one? No worries! We have a whole lineup of Career Fair Prep events happening during the week of 9/14. Check out our other sessions so you don't miss out on the prep (or the T-shirt!). See you soon!***
View event on Handshake: txstate.joinhandshake.com…
Click here for more informationCurious about how internships actually work – or what terms like co-op, clinical, or student teaching really mean? This session gives you a clear, easy-to-understand overview of the different types of work-based learning you might encounter in college. We’ll cover what internships and related experiences are, how they connect to majors and future career paths, when to start planning, and what steps to take early on.
*Open to all students. Counts toward the Internships & Career Experiences Pathway in US 1100.*
Click here for more informationAre you staring at your resume wondering if it’s actually ready, or did you just realize the Career Fair is right around the corner?
It is completely okay to feel anxious—welcome to Resume Rescue!
We are hosting a fast, low-pressure, come-and-go rescue session. We’ll have three stations set up with three of our friendly career educators ready to give your resume a quick, real-time glow-up.
No appointments, no scary lectures—just supportive, constructive feedback to help you put your best foot forward. Even if you aren't planning on attending the career fairs this semester, you are still incredibly welcome to drop by and get your resume polished! Just pull up, get some quick tips, and leave whenever you feel ready.
📍 The Details
Location: LBJ Student Center, Room 505
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎁Bonus Perk: If you attend at least 3 out of our 5 Career Fair Prep Week events, you'll score a free, exclusive Career Services T-shirt!🎁
***Can't make it to this one? No worries! We have a whole lineup of Career Fair Prep events happening during the week of 9/14. Check out our other sessions so you don't miss out on the prep (or the T-shirt!). See you soon!***
Click here for more informationReady to start your internship search? Not sure how to use Handshake? This workshop walks you through the internship search process, including leveraging Handshake as a recommended job search platform. We’ll cover building a strong Handshake profile, using filters and key terms strategically, and tips for finding roles that fit your goals.
*Open to all students. Counts toward the Internships & Career Experiences Pathway in US 1100.*
Click here for more informationLet’s be real: Career fairs can feel incredibly overwhelming.
If the thought of talking to employers makes your stomach drop, or if you’re staring at a blank page wondering how to write a resume—we get it, and it’s 100% normal. There is zero judgment here. Whether you have a 5-year plan or don't even know what a cover letter is, we’ve got your back.
To help take some of the pressure off, drop by our Career Cafe—no appointment needed. Just pull up, grab a free coffee, and chat with our friendly career educators.
📍 The Details
Location: LBJ Student Center, Room 502 (Career Services Office), Career Cafe Area
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Vibe: Relaxed, welcoming, and completely free of pressure.
💬 We can help you with:
Resumes: “I don’t have one,” “Is this okay?” or “Do I need to bring it?” (We'll help you start from scratch!)
The "How Do I Human?" Intro: How to introduce yourself and start a conversation less awkwardly.
The LinkedIn Kickstart: How to set up your profile from scratch (or make your current one look good).
The Interview Mystery: Demystifying how interviews actually work.
The Fit Check: Easy advice on what to wear so you feel confident and comfortable.
Or just a pep talk! We are here to listen and help you take it one step at a time.
🎁Bonus Perk: If you attend at least 3 out of our 5 Career Fair Prep Week events, you'll score a free, exclusive Career Services T-shirt!🎁
***Can't make it to this one? We have another drop-in session on Friday, 9/18 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (same location, same free coffee, and same welcoming vibe!).***
View event on Handshake: txstate.joinhandshake.com…
Click here for more informationHeading to your first career fair? This interactive workshop helps you feel prepared and confident before you walk into LBJSC. You’ll learn:
Perfect for anyone attending a fair for the first time or wanting a quick confidence boost.
*Open to all students. Counts toward the Internships & Career Experiences Pathway in US 1100.*
Click here for more information
Looking to gain hands-on experience by getting an internship? Will you be graduating in the next year and do you want to get a jump start on looking for a full-time job? Attend the Business & Communication Career Day to meet companies looking to hire you!
This fair is ideal for students looking to get into a general business function such as General Business Operations, Management Development Programs, Human Resources, Sales, Public Relations, Computer Information Systems, Finance and connect with employers. Ideal majors or fields include:
Management | Marketing | Finance | Human Resources | Public Relations | Communication | User Design | & MoreHow to prepare before the event:
Looking to gain hands-on experience in software or hardware by getting an internship or co-op? Will you be graduating in the next year and you want to get a jump start on looking for a full-time job? Attend the Engineering and Technology Career Fair to meet companies looking to hire you!
This fair is ideal for students looking to work in the following discipline and connect with employers looking to hire candidates within these job roles. ideal majors include:
How to prepare before the event:
Stop by to learn about internship events and resources from Career Services! It's a great day to #BeABobcatIntern.
Click here for more informationWant to hear directly from the people who hire interns? Thought so – Career Services is offering a series of employer-led internship info sessions to do just that, connecting you to reputable employers. In these sessions, employers share what they look for in candidates, how their internship programs work, and what steps you can take now to stand out. You’ll get insight into:
Our third internship information session will be with Dell Technologies.
Interested in building your career with a global technology company focused on innovation and driving human progress? Enjoy lunch while learning about internship, co-op, and early-career opportunities across the company. Hear directly from Dell representatives about their experiences, explore different career paths, and learn how Dell students gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects.
What You’ll Learn
Career & Internship Areas Include
Who Should Attend
Students interested in exploring internship, co-op, and career opportunities with Dell Technologies, particularly those pursuing technology, engineering, computer science, data, business, finance, marketing, supply chain, or other related fields. Students from a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
What to Bring
Come prepared to learn, connect with Dell representatives, and ask questions about internships and career paths. Students may also want to bring a resume and a few questions about available opportunities, the application process, and how to stand out as a candidate.
Learn More
Visit Dell’s student and career resources to learn more about internships, co-ops, development programs, and career opportunities. Dell describes its student opportunities as a way to build professional skills and gain real-world experience.
Future Internship Information Sessions will feature:
*Open to all students. Counts toward the Internships & Career Experiences Pathway in US 1100.*
Click here for more informationDiscover the skills you’re gaining on the job and explore our Marketable Skills Guides to see how your Texas State student job supports future career goals.
Each semester, Career Services hosts monthly professional development workshops aligned with Texas State’s Career Competencies, featuring employer and industry experts who guide students in building skills for career readiness and workplace success.
Get recognized for your hard work and dedication with the Student Employee Recognition Awards! This program celebrates students who excel in service, quality of work, professionalism, and initiative, all while juggling college life. Shine bright and get honored this April!
All on-campus jobs will be posted in Handshake. Opportunities with off-campus employers, who recruit Texas State Bobcats, will also be available in Handshake including part-time, full-time and internship opportunities.
Incoming students will be granted access to Handshake through SSO (single-sign-on) using your NetID and corresponding password. SSO access typically becomes available to incoming students after New Student Orientation or up to one week before classes begin in the next enrolled semester.
Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! Career Services resources are always available to you. To register for or reconnect to your Handshake account, use the register feature, completing all required fields. You will need your nine-digit TXST A-ID to complete this registration; if you have forgotten this information please contact the IT Assistance Center. To ensure best results, please use your personal email when creating or reconnecting your alumni account. Alumni accounts are usually reviewed within 48 business hours of requested access.
If you believe your account has been archived, email us at studentjobs@txstate.edu to regain access. Please include your NetID, first and last name, and any issues you may be experiencing. You should receive a reply within 24 business hours.
Enrollment is an eligibility requirement for any person holding a student employee position. You must enroll in at least six semester credit hours in the fall and spring semesters unless the student is in the last semester of enrollment.
No, upon graduation, you will no longer be considered a student, and therefore will no longer qualify for student employment.
Yes, the maximum hours a student can work is 25 hours per week. International students are limited to 20 hours per week. Between semesters students can work 40 hours per week.
The University Pay Plan references the range that student workers may be paid, and is further enforced through UPPS 07.07.03. Specific wages are determined by the hiring department.
Your supervisor or hiring manager can answer general questions about pay. Review the Payroll and Tax Compliance Office: FAQ page for answers regarding direct deposit, pay periods, and W-2s.
While Career Services does not mandate the use of an official student worker evaluation form, we do highly encourage supervisors to perform a one-on-one performance evaluation of student employees. However, our team does provide an evaluation template for on-campus supervisors who would like assistance. Please contact our team at studentjobs@txstate.edu.
While Career Services does not provide a universal Student Employee Handbook, we have developed a variety of resources to help supervisors create customized handbooks for their own departments. If you are interested in learning more about this, please email us at studentjobs@txstate.edu.
Only work-study eligible students can see work-study positions within Handshake. It's possible that if a student cannot see a work-study position, they may not currently be work-study eligible. For any questions regarding work-study award status, please reach out to Financial Aid directly for more information.
Congrats on landing your on-campus job! Now it’s time to get ready for the onboarding process. Your supervisor will guide you through each step to make sure you’re all set for your first day. They’ll also handle all the HR-related requirements with you. In general, here are some common items you may need to complete during the onboarding process:
Important: Please DO NOT complete these forms on your own before meeting with your supervisor, they will walk you through the process. Your department may also have additional onboarding requirements, so be sure to check in with your supervisor for full instructions.
For additional information on the onboarding process, please reach out to your supervisor.
What it means:
The student must already have legal permission to work in the U.S. before starting the job. This includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card holders), or international students with valid work authorization.
Am I eligible to apply as an international student on an F-1 visa?
Yes!
If the position is on-campus and you are an F-1 international student maintaining valid visa status, you are already authorized to work on campus. This means you are eligible to apply. If hired, there will be additional steps to complete in coordination with your supervisor to ensure proper documentation and onboarding.
Work-study creates additional on-campus jobs for qualified students. Financial Aid has determined eligibility after students have submitted their FAFSA application. You can also learn more down below.
The work-study program helps students who have financial need earn money through part-time jobs. It is managed by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS).
Work-study is awarded through your financial aid package and is only available to students who qualify based on financial need. It is not applied to your tuition like a scholarship, instead, it is money you earn through a paycheck (issued by check or direct deposit) for hours worked in a work-study job.
Because there are more requests for work-study than available funding, not everyone who applies will receive it. Work-study is not a cash award and it does not pay you just to study, you must work in a job to earn the money.
To be eligible, you must complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA). The award is based on financial need, so not all students will qualify. Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS) will evaluate your application and, if eligible, offered a financial aid package that may include a work-study award.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility for work-study, contact FAS.
After receiving a work-study award, you must find and apply for a work-study designated position in Handshake. If hired into a work-study approved position, you will be paid twice per month based on the numbers of hours you worked. The work-study award amount is the maximum potential you can earn. You may work until your award has been depleted or the semester is over. There is no obligation to earn the entire award.
Work-study jobs are not positions in which you are paid to study.
No. If work-study is part of your financial aid package and you don’t intend to use it, you can decline the award.
There is a deadline set each semester to find a work-study position by Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS). If you have not been hired into a work-study position, your work-study may be cancelled.
Utilize your resources before you give up. Career Services can review your resume and other documents to assist you in your job search. Keep applying and know that you can save job searches in Handshake that will notify you when new jobs are posted.
Yes. Regular-wage positions are also available. Begin your search for all types of positions by logging in to your Handshake account.
As an hourly employee you will be paid semi-monthly at mid-month and at the end of the month. All employees are encouraged to participate in the direct deposit program.
Students working under a work-study funded position may work no more than 25 hours per week while classes are in session.
Offices typically require work-study students to wear business-casual attire. Some offices allow their work-study students to dress more casually, so be sure to check with your employer. Remember that even though you are a student, you are working in a professional setting and need to dress accordingly.
Yes, if funding and positions are available. In addition to having a current year FAFSA on file with FAS, a student must complete a Summer Financial Aid application and be enrolled in 6 credit hours within the summer semester.
Financial Aid establishes these time frames. Dates for earning work-study awards can be found on the FAS Undergraduate Work-Study website.
Get answers by calling Career Services at 512.245.2645, or by emailing studentjobs@txstate.edu.
