Frequently asked questions

The goal of the SUDO program is to place at least 90% of students into full-time positions after graduation.

As such, we are:

• Education-minded: We work around students’ class schedules to ensure that their work with UIT-ITS doesn’t interfere with their planned graduations.
• Mentor-based: Students receive professional direction from UIT, ITS, and university staff.
• Impactful: Students work alongside full-time UIT, ITS, and 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.

Student employees can expect to:

• Gain resume-building workplace experience and hone skills like customer service, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, collaboration, and effective communication.
• Network and interact with senior administrators.
• Learn to better appreciate the cultures, perspectives, and customs of others; communicate with colleagues, customers, stakeholders, and users; and disagree respectfully.
• Lead projects, provide feedback that will help the institution, and 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 some may ultimately mentor other students.

Students gain first-hand experience with the university's back-end IT systems; contribute to the positive experience of other students, faculty, and staff; and gain confidence in their work, 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 102 Tower is only a short shuttle ride from campus, students save on travel costs and time getting to and from work.

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 two 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 university-managed laptop/desktop computers to complete their work.

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

Human Resources policy prevents students from working more than 20 hours per week (part-time) in any university position. Because all SUDO teams require students to work between 15 and 20 hours weekly, we typically cannot hire students who have another job on campus. However, we encourage everyone who is interested in the SUDO program to apply, especially those with other temporary positions on campus, since spots on our teams frequently open up and one may become available after your contract ends.

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 the program and technical group with which they're embedded.

Pay rates typically start at $15-17 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. Additional opportunities and promotion to a student lead role also are available. Monthly performance evaluations guide such opportunities.

SUDO jobs are not eligible for tuition reimbursement because they are part-time and nonbenefited.

• Hours limit: Student employees are generally limited to working 20 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 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 nine credit hours during fall and spring semesters at the University of Utah.

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

The purpose of the first interview is to gauge a candidate's interests, expectations, and personality. If an open position in the organization matches the candidate, they 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 six months. The earlier you begin the application process, the sooner you're likely to be placed.

Due to high demand, we are unable to interview the same candidate more than once every six months. Because of this, we ask that you do not reapply within six 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. 

Yes, performance reviews occur monthly, providing students with feedback and an opportunity to set goals for the next month. Each student meets with their working team’s mentor and student lead.

Goals contribute directly to the work of the student's working team or unit, as well as at least one goal that focuses on the students themselves. Goals follow the SMART model: specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related (O’Neill, 2000).

Performance reviews reflect whether the student has met or exceeded expectations, and whether they are eligible to obtain a six-month pay increase.

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. Student employees may also receive a free Udemy account, allowing them to enroll in thousands of online courses covering a range of IT topics.

The SUDO 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" make more money or becomes "indispensable," then the department/technical team will evaluate 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, they will receive a one-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.