Since it began in 2010, the Campus Augmenting Student Hires (CASH) program has led to more than $3.3 million in earnings for MU students.
In the program, campus departments hire students for on-campus jobs and CASH matches funds up to $500 per semester, making each job within the program eligible for a maximum of $1,000 per year.
“It is a true win-win program,” says Amanda Nell, senior coordinator in the MU Career Center. “Departments add much-needed staff and talent to their teams, while students earn income and real-world experience and develop a supportive network of professional contacts.”
The center partners with Student Affairs and Business Services on the program, which has created about 1,600 jobs. More than 100 departments have utilized the program, including the department of classical studies, whose first CASH hire redesigned the department’s website.
“Our first student was a godsend,” says Dennis Trout, chair of the department of classical studies. “He brought skills none of us really had. The work is always done quickly and efficiently.”
In a recent survey of campus employers, 100 percent reported that they either “agree” or “strongly agree” that the programs and services that CASH hires contribute to are critical in nature to supporting their office.
“With the CASH program and the financial help, we are able to hire more students,” says Lori Rowlett, the business manager for the Truman School of Public Affairs, which has three CASH positions and has employed students since 2011. “Our student workers help with a wide array of responsibilities ranging from database duties to Photoshop work to organizing departmental events.”
In a survey of students in CASH positions, 88 percent of them felt their job provided general preparation for their future career and 81 percent indicated that they feel more connected to the university because of their part-time job.
“The fact that they feel connected to the university is an important statistic when looking at student retention and satisfaction,” Nell says.
“It is nice to get the financial break that CASH makes available,” Trout said. “However, the real benefit has been how easily we were able to find really competent and reliable help.”
For more information on CASH, visit career.missouri.edu/cash.
— Josh Murray