Labor Program Office - Berea College

Labor Program Office

Work to learn, learn to work

Every student works a minimum of 10 hours per week at a campus job in one of more than 130 departments. In working on campus, students support the operations and mission of the College and also gain important workplace experience even before graduation. Berea is one of only ten federally recognized Work Colleges in the United States and the only one that provides its students with a paycheck to help cover personal and educational expenses.

Hands-on Experience

Minimum number of hours each student works each week at a paid on-campus job.

Our students graduate with a labor transcript that will impress future employers.

91%

percentage of students who credited skills they learned in their labor position as supporting academic development

1,500

Number of campus jobs available for students

Goals of the Program

Chart your own path

The lead repair technician performs maintenance on a bike for the Berea College Office of Sustainability bike share program.

Audio Visual student and staff member working in booth at a convocation

Student photographer taking pictures of a group in the studio

Just as you will do with academic courses, you will also start out in entry-level work assignments and move into positions requiring more responsibility, knowledge and skill. The program usually places first-year students in areas with the highest needs: facilities management and dining services. The philosophy here is the long-held Berea conviction that there is dignity in all work, mental as well as manual. After this first year, you are free to pursue other jobs on campus wherever you wish.

Supporting the whole student

The Work Program is a vital component of Berea’s educational experience. Our graduates enter the workforce or graduate/professional schools as well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world. You’ll graduate with four years of specific job-related experience and a valuable toolkit of soft skills employers eagerly look for in candidates. Additionally, each student is awarded a work transcript, in addition to an academic transcript, detailing their entire work experience upon graduation. This work transcript can effectively answer the question so many applicants face in an interview: “So what did you accomplish in college?” At Berea, you’ll be equipped and prepared to answer compellingly.

Develop skills and pursue your passions

The Work Program is a gateway to endless career possibilities. You will have a special opportunity, for example, to align your work position with your chosen academic major, another way that a Berea education makes you especially prepared over graduates from other institutions.

So take advantage of the endless opportunities to explore passions you might not typically pursue. From herding cattle on the Berea College Farm to performing research in state-of-the-art chemistry labs, there's meaningful work to be found for everyone.

Student ceramist Zoe ‘20 enjoys spinning pottery in the College’s Visitor Center and Shoppe.

The Value of Labor

“We strive to make every position meaningful and connected to the mission of the College.” – Rosanna Napoleón ’13, Assistant Director of Training and Development

Pictured: Student ceramist Zoe ‘20 spinning pottery in the College’s Visitor Center and Shoppe

Read Student Labor Stories

Unlimited Access

Cody Myers ’17 credits his role as a student programmer as fundamental in his college education, and as the reason he landed a job at Red Hat, an IBM subsidiary software company.

Read Cody's Story

Frequently Asked Questions

A student’s pay grade is determined by the level of work being performed in the position. As students take on more responsibilities they will be assigned a higher pay grade.

WLS 1: Repetitive tasks or routines requiring direct supervision of worker results.
WLS 2: Requires less direct supervision, with more variety in required tasks. May also require more knowledge about the job.
WLS 3: Skilled work with little supervision. Can work independently and make their own judgment. This could involve helping train others.
WLS 4: Requires no direct supervision, and will begin supervising of their own. Should have advanced skills in the positions and can train others.
WLS 5: Student supervisor position that requires a 15-hour contract. Student must understand the department’s policies and relationships. They will manage other students, and must be familiar with every labor position in the office. They must also model strong interpersonal/communication skills.

Direct deposit eliminates the step of having to deposit or cash a physical check. Also, banks will usually process paychecks before paper checks arrive at CPO (dependent on bank).

To sign up for direct deposit you must have your student ID and an official document from your bank which shows your routing and account number or a voided check.

MyBerea

You can also use MyBerea to request a labor transcript. You can find it under the Labor tab. Click on the “Request Official Labor Transcript” link within the Student Labor Resources Channel.

Contact the Program Main Office at labor_program@berea.edu Ext. 3611.

Contact the Program Main Office at labor_program@berea.edu or Ext. 3611.

Students must attend Proxy Training you can sign them up here: Proxy Training Request Form

Staff and Faculty are not required to attend Proxy Training. Their direct report supervisor can log in to Tracy UltraTime and complete the steps below.

1. Click on “Proxy Setup”

2. Use the down scroll arrow to search for the desired proxy’s last name.

4. Select one or multiple people

5. Click “save”

For step by step video on how to add a proxy on UltraTime go to the Program Dashboard.

This means that you are not listed as the student’s supervisor. This can only be changed through BANNER. Please contact the Program Main Office at labor_program@berea.edu or Ext. 3611.

Contact the IT Help Desk, Ext. 3343

Berea College is one of nine federally recognized Work Colleges.

So at Berea College, we don’t just admit students. We hire them. Every student works a minimum of 10 hours per week at a campus job in one of more than 130 departments. In working on campus, students support the operations and mission of the College and also gain important workplace experience even before graduation. Every student is paid an income for this work. The Labor Program, through the leadership of the Dean of Labor, the Labor Program Council, and countless supervisors and mentors, reflects a unified vision of labor as student and learning-centered, as service to the College and broader community, and as necessary work well done.

Learn more here!

Photography. Web design. Art curating. Farming. You name it, you can probably do it here through the Labor Program and enter the workforce with the advantage of hands-on experience and a transcript that details your workplace experience.

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