Student Recognition

Founded by the National Student Employment Association (NSEA), National Student Employment Week is designed to acknowledge the hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication that student workers bring to their jobs while attending college. This week serves as a reminder of the essential role student employees play in supporting campus operations and local communities.

But the week isn't just for students! It's also an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the supervisors and employers who mentor student workers, providing training and career development that can have lasting impacts on their professional futures.

Student employees are often the unsung heroes of many campus departments and services, contributing to everything from administrative tasks to research assistance, event planning, customer service, and more. National Student Employment Week serves as a public reminder of the tremendous impact these students have on the success of campus life and the local economy.

For Students:
This week is your chance to understand how essential you are to your campus and community. Your hard work not only supports your department but also helps shape your career readiness by providing real-world experience.

For Employers:
NSEW offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the services students provide and the significant role they play in the campus ecosystem. It's also a great time to strengthen your relationship with student employees and recognize their accomplishments.

Free or Low-Cost Celebration Ideas

1. Choose the Office Playlist
Let student employees pick the music for the office for the day or create a shared playlist that includes everyone's favorites. This fosters a sense of community and makes the work environment more enjoyable.

2. Fun, Office-Wide Games
Take a break from work and organize a quick office game or carnival-style activity. A spinning wheel with challenges, or a "Minute to Win It"-style competition, can bring everyone together for a bit of fun and laughter.

3. Thankful Paper
Create a "Thankful Paper" that circulates around the office. Each person writes something they appreciate about a student worker, whether it’s about their work ethic, attitude, or specific contributions. Collect these and present them to the student at the end of the week.

4. Banner or Bulletin Board
Make a banner or decorate a bulletin board with photos of your student workers, along with words of thanks. It's a simple and visible way to show appreciation throughout the office.

5. Simple Thank You
Sometimes, a simple "thank you" can go a long way. Publicly recognizing student employees for their contributions, whether in a staff meeting or on social media, helps to boost morale and make students feel seen and valued.

Successful celebrations require careful planning, coordination, and creativity. Here are a few tips to ensure your recognition efforts are effective:

• Plan Ahead: Start planning your events and activities early to make the most of National Student Employment Week.
• Communicate: Ensure that both student employees and their supervisors know about the week's events and activities.
• Get Creative: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and incorporate personalized ideas based on your department's culture and student employee roles.
• Have Fun: Whether it’s with a simple snack or a creative award, National Student Employment Week is all about having fun and showing appreciation.