FAQ

We’re here to help, when you’re ready! Career Services can assist with every step of your career – from exploring different career paths, to document preparation, to helping you land the job. All of our services are available to alumni as well.

Appointments can be scheduled online using Handshake, or by calling our Welcome Desk at 512.245.2645. Office hours are listed at the bottom of our website.

Career Services provides the following services to students and alumni:

• Individual career planning and exploration
• Online career assessments
• Connect students and alumni with companies and recruiters
• Help finding full-time and part-time jobs, work-study positions and internships
• Resume and cover letter critiques
• Practice for interviews
• Free headshot photos
• Graduate school application assistance
• Presentations and workshops for classes and student organizations
• And much more!

To learn more about our student and alumni offerings, browse our Students & Alumni page. Contact us by phone at 512.245.2645 or by e-mail at careerservices@txstate.edu to get started.

Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! Our full services are available to Texas State students and alumni. This includes: 1x1 appointments, Handshake, career fairs and more!

We are sorry you’re having trouble accessing Handshake.

If you are an alumni:

• 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 number 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 are an incoming student:

• Incoming students will be granted access to Handshakethrough 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.

If you have additional trouble logging in, contact our Welcome Desk at 512.245.2645.

Career Services can help you with anything job or career related. However, we cannot answer questions about your degree plan, class registration, or academic holds; these are questions for your academic advisor.

Visit the Academic Advising website for more information about academic advising and to find your academic advisor.

Career Services offers 15-minute appointments on a first-come, first-served basis during drop-in hours. Our drop-in hours can be found here.

You can schedule a guaranteed appointment time by:

• Logging onto Handshake, clicking the “Career Center” drop-down menu, selecting “Appointments,” and clicking “Schedule a New Appointment” OR
• Call our Welcome Desk at 512.245.2645 OR
• Email your career advisor directly

Some of our services are also available online, including our online resume and cover letter review service.

Career Services is here to help with your internship or job search! We do not offer job placements. However, we can help you:

• Develop a strategy for your search
• Recommend job search tools
• Connect with employers
• Review your application materials (resume, cover letter, portfolio, etc.)
• Prepare for your interview
• Review your offer letter
• Navigate offer negotiations
• And, more!

You do not have to register or RSVP for career fairs and most Career Services events, with the exception of our Careers in the City events and limited seating Etiquette Dinner event.

Our career fairs are open to all Texas State students and alumni. Certain industry-specific career fairs, such as our Construction and Concrete Industries Career Fair or Teacher Job Fair, are best suited for related majors, but all are welcome to attend!

Texas State students and alumni can take up to 5 items of careerwear clothing for free, using our Career Closet. Visit our Career Closet page for more information regarding Career Closet hours and return policies.

The work-study program is designed to help students who demonstrate financial need an opportunity to earn a portion of their educational expenses through meaningful employment. The program is administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS).

The number of requests usually exceeds work-study funds. Work-study provides you with an employment opportunity. It is important to remember that work-study is NOT a job in which you are paid to study. Work-study is not a cash award. You must work for your earnings.

To be eligible, you must complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) and indicate interest in work-study on the application. 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.

Email questions about the awarding process to workstudy@txstate.edu.

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.

Your earnings will be at least the current federal minimum wage; however, you could be paid more depending upon the type of work you do, and the skills required.

You may work no more than 25 hours per week while classes are in session. International Students may only work a total of 20 hours per week.

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.

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.

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.

While Career Services does not offer a universal Supervisor of Student Employees Handbook, we are creating supervisor professional development training. 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.