Earn while you learn!
We’re here to help students find jobs and develop their career skills while earning their degree. After graduation, your degree will help you land jobs, but work experience is what truly what helps you stand out to employers. So why wait? Start gaining experience now through student employment!
Student Employment Fair
The 2026 Week of Welcome Student Employment Fair is happening August 18th from 1-3pm in the CUB Senior Ballroom on the Pullman campus.
Register in Handshake and come find your next job! Both on-campus and off-campus employers will be there to meet you and tell you about the open positions they have.
Are you an incoming freshman looking to start your job search?
STOP! We do the work for you.
Once you are enrolled for classes, your data is automatically uploaded into our job platform, Handshake.
Please do not create your own Handshake account using your personal email. These requests will not be accepted.
The best indicator that your Handshake account may be ready is your enrollment status.
You are officially ‘enrolled’ once you have registered for classes. After you register, it can take a few weeks until you enter Handshake’s system, but you can test it by trying to login using the following steps:
- Go to https://wsu.joinhandshake.com/login
- Login in using your WSU credentials via SSO (single-sign-on)
If you’re still unsure and want us to double check your account status for you, go ahead and email studentjobs@wsu.edu
1. Plan to attend the Student Employment Fair on Aug 18th from 1-3pm on the Pullman campus
We know you didn’t have a lot of time to job hunt this summer, so we’re bringing the employers to you! There will be a large variety of on-campus employer, as well as local off-campus employers, all looking to hire students part-time this fall! This is a great opportunity to find a part-time job fast after getting to campus.
2. Update your resume!
Use this time to ensure your resume is up-to-date and is top-notch quality! On-campus jobs can be especially competative, so making sure you have a resume that is clear, relevant, and professional is of the upmost importance.
Check out our Resume Guide for all our best advice on resume building!
How to find a job on Handshake
Handshake is the job search platform we use at WSU.
You can find any kind of job – from on-campus & work-study jobs to off-campus jobs!
We make your Handshake account for you when you enroll at WSU, just login using your WSU SSO.
If you have any questions regarding Handshake, email studentjobs@wsu.edu
Don’t underestimate the power of a strong resume – this is what sets you apart from other applicants and convinces the employer to invite you for an interview!
Get your resume reviewed by a career coach
Set up an appointment on Handshake for one of our career coaches to go over your resume with you and give you advice on how to make it more competative or tailor it to a specific job application.
Our center also offers career drop-in appointments M-F from 2pm-4pm in Lighty 180 on the Pullman Campus.
Check out our resume guide or come get your own copy from Lighty 180
If you’re looking for on-campus and work-study jobs:
Filter jobs by WSU Collections to find jobs on your campus!
If you’re looking for off-campus jobs:
Filter jobs by location or by WSU Collections > close to campus > filter > location
Don’t forget to dress in professional attire, arrive early, and it never hurts to bring a printed copy of your resume!
Remember, you have resources to help you!
- The Cougar Closet (Lighty 160) provides free access to donated business attire for students
- Interview preparation resources and interview rooms are available for your use (to book an interview room, email studentjobs@wsu.edu)
- Salary negotiation best practices
- Workshops–a great way to brush up on current professional practices and expectations
Work-Study
Work-study programs are a governement-funded financial aid option for students. This is a great, debt-free way that helps students pay for their eductaion. If a work-study eligible student finds a work-study eligible, on-campus job, about 70-75% of their paycheck will be paid by the government while the remainder of their pay is covered by their employer. This is a desireable program for both employers and students – employers pay less and students earn the same amount (and sometimes more) than they would outside of the program.
For more about work-study, check out the Student Employee Handbook or the Student Financial Services website to learn more! Email sfs.workstudy@wsu.edu with questions.
The Cougar Closet
The Cougar Closet is a FREE resource providing professional clothing to WSU students. Dressing for success can be costly and time-consuming – that’s why we’re here! Our goal is to keep our Cougs outfitted in their best professional looks. Swing by to pick out your outfit for your next interview!
Student Employee of the Year
Every April we take some time to recognize our outstanding student employees. Click below to learn about how to nominate a student and check out past years’ winners!
Handshake
Handshake is the job platform we use at WSU, but it’s also so much more! You can sign up for events, register for career fairs, and schedule appointments with our career coaches. It’s meant to be your on-stop-shop for all things career-related!
There are 3 sides to Handshake:
Student side
Students can search jobs – whether you’re looking for soemthing part-time or full-time, on-campus or off-campus, down the street or accross the world all of it can be found on Handshake!
Students can also register for career fair and events, schedule to meet with a career coach in our office, and connect with employers on the platform.
Employer side
Employers create company profiles and have to request access to each university that they want to post their jobs at. This means the employers WSU students see are employers who passed our vetting process and were approved by our staff. Once approved, these employers can post jobs and events and even recruit students from our school who match qualifications for their open positions.
Career Services Side
This is everything going on behind the scenes. Your WSU Career staff are constantly filtering through job posting and new employer requests to be connected with WSU. They are also creating and approving events and fairs and managing student and employer accounts.
Our WSU Handshake gives students access to over 30,000 employers from all over the world. From Furtune 500 companies to local non-profits – you can find everything you’re looking for on Handshake!
