Frequently Asked Questions - Student University Development Opportunity

What makes the sUdo program different?

The goal of student staff leadership is to place at least 90% of students who enter the program into full-time positions after graduation.

As such, we are:

Education-minded: We work around students’ class schedules to ensure that their work here doesn’t interfere with their planned graduation.
Mentor-based: Students receive professional direction from University staff, which allows them to share newly-gained knowledge back to their mentors.
Impactful: Students work alongside full-time University staff, contributing to the planning and execution of ongoing projects and the delivery of established services.
Socially Positive: Our students are a cohort and collaborative community representing many IT-related disciplines.

What will I get out of it?

Student employees can expect to:

Gain resume-building workplace experience: hone skills like customer service, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, collaboration, effective communication.
Network and interact with senior administrators.
Learn to better appreciate cultures, perspective and customs of others, cross-cultural communication, and how to disagree respectfully.
Leadership development: There are many opportunities to lead projects give feedback and even supervise other students.
Enjoy a work environment with flexible hours that leads to timely graduation.

Our students receive mentoring in technical and professional skills throughout their time with sUdo, and may ultimately mentor other students.

Students see the University's back stage and contribute to the positive experience of other students, faculty and staff, and gain confidence in their work-life, with time to reflect on what they enjoy doing professionally.

Most sUdo students work at 102 Tower in downtown Salt Lake City, where they enjoy a beautiful, modern workspace, an array of dining choices, access to downtown entertainment, and numerous transportation options. Since work is only a short shuttle-ride from campus, students save on travel costs and time getting to work.

What's the work environment like?

Student employees occupy a shared workspace with other students, which fosters collaboration and community-learning among peers.

The program assigns students to working teams in groups of 2 or more to accommodate turnover. Students have a designated mentor within the assigned working team who assists the Student Lead in setting monthly goals and tasks. Students are provided with University laptops/desktops by their teams to complete their work.

What degrees/majors are you looking for?

sUdo is looking for degree-seeking students at the University, but the degree and major that you’re pursuing doesn’t matter.

I already have a job at the U, can I still apply?

HR policy prevents students from working more than part-time (20 hours weekly) across all University positions. Because all sUdo teams require students to work between 15 and 19 hours weekly, we typically cannot hire students who have another job on campus, unless they are willing to leave in order to accept an offer with sUdo. However, we encourage everyone who is interested in the program to apply, especially those with other temporary positions on campus, since spots on our teams are continuously opening, and one may become available after your contract ends.

How often is sUdo hiring?

The program hires continually as positions become available.

Student program leadership reviews applicants and potential candidates to better identify those who may excel, benefit and positively contribute to both the program and technical group they're embedded with.

What do you pay?

Pay rates typically start at $12 per hour for most teams. For retention and advancement purposes, most teams periodically provide pay increases of varying amounts, contingent upon budget availability and successful performance evaluations. A student lead can give you more details on a specific team's pay and pay increase process if you are selected to interview for it. Pay increases stop at $16 per hour, and exceptions require approval from the senior leadership. Additional opportunities and promotion to a Student Lead role are also available. Monthly performance evaluations guide such opportunities.

How many hours will I work?

Hours Limit: Student employees are generally limited to working 19 hours per week but may find opportunities to work more between semesters and during breaks.
Hourly or Contract Employee: The Fair Labor Standards Act/University Policy prohibits employees from working both an hourly job and a contracted position at the same time.
Credit Hour Requirement: To be eligible to work as a student employee, undergraduate students must carry at least 9 credit hours fall and spring semesters at the University of Utah.

What's the interview process like?

Before students are hired into the program, they will take part in at least two interviews.

The purpose of the first interview isn't to apply for a specific position. The goal of this initial meeting is to gauge a candidate's interests, expectations, and personality. If an open position in the organization matches the candidate, he/she will be invited back for a second interview with a mentor overseeing the position.

Please note: This is a competitive program. The time between the first and second interview may take anywhere from a day to 6 months. The earlier you begin the application process, the sooner you're likely to be placed.

I haven't heard back after my interview. Should I reapply?

Due to high demand, we are unable to interview the same candidate more than once every 6 months. Because of this, we ask that you do not reapply within 6 months of your original application. Please know that we have kept your application on file, and continue to consider you for positions as they become available.

If you would like to inquire about the status of your application or send us an updated resume at any point after applying, please email us at sudoleads@utah.edu.

Will I have performance reviews?

Yes, performance reviews occur monthly and provide students with feedback, review the past month’s performance, and set goals for the next month. Each individual student meets with his/her working team’s mentor and Student Lead.

Goals for students contribute directly to work occurring with the working team as well as at least one goal that focuses on the students themselves. Goals follow the S.M.A.R.T. model - Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, and Time-related (O’Neill, 2000).

Required performance reviews reflect whether or not the student has met or exceeded expectations and if they will be eligible to obtain a 6-month pay increase.

Are there training opportunities?

Periodic training opportunities are offered by existing staff on new technologies and methodologies. Training sessions occur at least once a month and are open to all student employees. All student employees also have the opportunity to receive a free Udemy account, allowing them to enroll in thousands of online courses covering a range of IT topics.

Will this lead to a permanent, full-time job with the U?

This program may be a stepping stone for students into a full-time position in a University career, but nothing is guaranteed.

The creation of permanent full-time positions is the result of a strategic analysis of team and departmental requirements, and is not a short-term retention plan for an individual student. If a student "should" be making more money, or becomes "indispensable," then the department/technical team evaluates strategic directions, budget priorities, job responsibilities, etc. before concluding that a permanent position is necessary. Students must compete for permanent positions in accordance with University HR policy.

When a student permanently leaves the University for any reason other than graduation, the student’s employment in sUdo ends before the start of the following semester (fall/spring). When a student graduates, he/she will receive a 1-semester grace period to focus on obtaining employment. During that time, the Student Manager may conduct mock interviews with students and help polish their resumes.