Sometimes these students take on complex roles that allow them to learn new skills. Other times, they serve as warm bodies that do little more than sit at a front desk.

Students might enjoy these low-key jobs, after all, who doesn’t appreciate more time to study (or relax)? As supervisors of students who take on such roles, we should respect their need need for flexibility and income.

At the same, education is all about learning, and it can be difficult for a supervisor to relinquish the opportunity to help their students to improve in one way or another.

Further, as practitioners in the areas of community and belonging, we might feel a lost opportunity when a student is in our space, but because of the reduced involvement of their position, may not fully belong to our community.

In such a situation, we find a potential opportunity for both community building and skill development: paid monthly professional development for student staff.

Monthly Training

Set a time each month for all your student staff to attend a mandatory professional development session. They will be paid for their time. During the first meeting, set up an an ice breaker activity. Then ask them what it is they want to learn this year. How would they like to develop? What are their goals? Afterward, recruit speakers from the University to train them on said sessions, or develop your own trainings. You could even recruit the students to provide trainings to others. Be sure to pay them for the time they take to develop their trainings.

Mentorship and Goals

A second way to develop your student staff is through mentorship. Meet with them to ask them what their professional and personal goals are. Set SMART goals. Have them work on their goals during their time on the job (if they so choose). Meet with them once a month (or 2x a month) for updates, feedback and guidance (paid time).