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Career and COVID-19 FAQs
NAU classes are occurring on-campus and virtually for the Spring 2021 semester. Learn more about how these changes will impact Career Development below.
FAQs
Finding Work Off-Campus Accordion Closed
Handshake is a great first place to look for on- and off-campus jobs.
Employers who remained open during the Spring 2020 state lockdown were grocery stores, pharmacies, and product distribution centers (like Amazon). Online job postings have also rapidly increased for workers with skills in health care, community response, crisis management, and cleaning. If students ask about opportunities, we advise referring them to these establishments. Check out this list of Arizona companies who are hiring now.
Professional Development and COVID-19 Accordion Closed
During the job search process, we encourage student employees to take advantage of professional development opportunities. We recommend considering the following:
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Strengthen your resume Tab Open
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Update your application materials Tab Closed
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Prepare for virtual interviews Tab Closed
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Expand your network Tab Closed
Strengthen your resume Accordion Open
Seek out remote professional development opportunities! These include our online, self-paced lessons (Career Steps) and high-quality, online courses that focus on software, creative, business, and other professional skill development (available on LinkedIn Learning).
Update your application materials Accordion Closed
Make sure you take the time to update your resume, cover letter, and Handshake profile.
You can still make appointments with our Career Development team! We will continue to offer career advising appointments via phone, email, and Zoom.
When students schedule an appointment in Handshake, they should look for the phone number, email address, or URL to know they will meet with their career advisor.
Prepare for virtual interviews Accordion Closed
Many hiring processes have moved into the digital sphere, so take a moment to familiarize yourself with online interviewing best practices.
Some tips include:
- Make sure to prepare a quiet and neutral space with good lighting.
- Have your notes in front of you.
- Practice talking to the camera (instead of looking at the other person/people on the call).
- Ask specific questions about hiring timelines.
Expand your network Accordion Closed
Now is an excellent time to explore going virtual with networking your efforts, so try out resources like the LinkedIn NAU Alumni Finder or the Explore Students section in Handshake to invest in your future.
Best Practices for Supervising Remote Student Employees Accordion Closed
Check out our pro tips for supervisors looking to excel in a remote environment.
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Common Challenges Tab Open
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Communicate Tab Closed
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Start with trust Tab Closed
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Managing conflict Tab Closed
Common Challenges Accordion Open
Newly-remote workers often cite a lack of access to information, social isolation and distractions as pitfalls to remote work. Here’s how to tackle and avoid those concerns:
- Accessing information: Ensure that student employees have access to the physical equipment (computers, monitors, etc.), software and VPN they need to be successful. If internet connection is weak, encourage them to find wifi hotspots on campus, such as the one near the Fieldhouse parking lot.
- Social isolation: When you have meetings, save the first 5-7 minutes just for catching up. This encourages social connection across groups and keeps student employees engaged with their work groups across the distance. Embrace icebreakers and fun in the online setting.
- Distractions: Encourage student employees to set aside a dedicated workspace, where they can minimize distractions and focus. Be flexible in the first few weeks – this is new to everyone!
Communicate Accordion Closed
Be sure to communicate both openly and frequently. Whatever methods of consistent communication you were using before moving remotely should be continued, and add in other check-ins with your employees. These daily check ins could take the form of a phone call or Zoom session, either as a group or individually. The check-ins should be set at regular and predictable intervals. Explicitly state how staff can get ahold of you (text, Skype, etc.) and ensure they are set up to communicate with you in that way. Maximize the efficiency of your virtual meetings with these tips for online meeting success!
Start with trust Accordion Closed
Lead with trust and encourage others to do so. As a supervisor, you need to demonstrate to your online student employees that you trust they are getting their work done. Fight any impulses to micromanage processes and praise student employees for work well done. Working remotely can sometimes lead to conflict because people feel less connected. Modelling good behavior is key to minimizing these conflicts.
Managing conflict Accordion Closed
If conflict arises, give the benefit of the doubt. Encourage employees to focus on common ground and stop emailing. Picking up the phone or videoconferencing is likely to help people reconnect and eliminate the ambiguity of email communication.
Career Programming
Will the Career Development office be open this semester? Accordion Closed
As we continue to navigate the current climate, our main mode of contact for our services will be virtual.
We remain open online and our office hours are 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday-Friday in the Union. You can set up one-on-one-appointments with one of our experienced career professionals on Handshake. Students can also access our online career programming content (Career Steps). Send questions to Career@nau.edu.
Is Career still offering one-on-one appointments for students who want to review application materials or talk about career-related subjects? Accordion Closed
Yes, we have moved all of our appointments on Handshake to offer virtual options via Zoom, phone or email. We have also added additional appointment times throughout the week to ensure availability for students. You can set up an appointment on Handshake by clicking on the Career Center tab. To discuss other modes of consultation, please contact us at Career@nau.edu or 928-523-1087.
Will Career still be offering workshops or trainings during the Spring 2021 semester? Accordion Closed
We have multiple ways of providing content to the Lumberjack community and are excited to support and collaborate with our on- and off-campus partners. We can deliver content via virtual platforms like Zoom if a group is meeting virtually.
Otherwise, our online career programming content (Career Steps) is available for FREE. To discuss options with one of our team members, please submit a workshop request or contact us at Career@nau.edu or 928-523-1087.
Student Employment
What guidelines has the university implemented for a safe return to campus? Accordion Closed
On June 19, 2020 President Cheng shared NAU’s Return to On-Campus Work plan. Updates to the plan will be loaded to the Return to Work website.
Can student employees receive unemployment benefits? Accordion Closed
Student employees who are not able to work on campus are welcome to apply for unemployment benefits through the State of Arizona.
I am a student employee and eligible for the new Public Emergency Paid Sick Time (PEPST). How can I use my benefit? Accordion Closed
All PEPST leave benefits (for part- and full-time employees) expired on December 31, 2020.
I am a supervisor of a student employee who has applied to use PEPST leave. What do I do? Accordion Closed
All PEPST leave benefits (for part- and full-time employees) expired on December 31, 2020.
Are student employees able to work remotely? Are all on-campus jobs able to transition to online work? Accordion Closed
All student employees, including Federal Work Study-eligible student employees, are eligible to work remotely based on each department’s discretion and if:
- their tasks and projects are suitable for remote work and
- if work is available.
Transitioning on-campus jobs to remote work is decided at the department level. Departments should consider the factors above when deciding if remote work is available for student employees.
Can students still work on campus? Accordion Closed
This is determined at the department level. Student Employees are still held to the 29-hour Work Rule (meaning that they cannot work more than an average of 29 hours/week over the period of one calendar year).
Can a supervisor ask that student employees self-quarantine or send them home from work? Accordion Closed
Supervisors should follow the guidelines described for supervisors on the COVID-19 HR FAQ website, under “Preventing the Spread of Illness.”
How do I clock in or out for my on-campus student job while working remotely? Accordion Closed
Student employees should clock in/out as they normally do in LOUIE. The HR website has specific instructions about how to clock in/out.
Can international NAU students still work remotely from their home countries? Accordion Closed
Yes, international NAU students can continue working remotely from their home country as long as NAU keeps their immigration records open, the student maintains a US bank account, and the department regularly communicates with both the Center for International Education (CIE) and Human Resources’ Payroll Department. Visit the HR website to learn more about specific policies for international work.
Can Federal Work Study (FWS) student employees work remotely? Accordion Closed
All student employees, including FWS-eligible student employees, are eligible to work remotely based on each department’s discretion and if:
- their tasks and projects are suitable for remote work and
- if work is available.
Due to COVID-19, are student employees still being held to the 29-Hour Work Rule? Accordion Closed
Yes, student employees are still held to the 29 hour work rule. You can find more answers online in our Student Employment Handbook.