Posted on March 2: McWork Summer Work Program launches online application

McMaster's Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships has launched a new online summer work program application.

There will be a launch and open house for all participating employers and students on Wednesday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will be able to apply for the Summer Work program and see the jobs available on campus through e-recruiting.

“This year we are really excited because we have the new online application for McWork available through MUGSI,” says Jill Davren, student loans officer. “Students can apply for McWork starting March 3 and will be able to print their own approval forms instantly.”

Since McWork launched in 1997, the number of jobs it has offered has grown significantly. In its first year, McWork offered 80 jobs for students and last summer, the McMaster McWork Summer Work Program employed 307 undergraduate students. Of those, 154 jobs were on-campus, ranging from ground maintenance to acting as an assistant to a researcher. The jobs are primarily full-time, beginning on May 1 and concluding the last Friday of August before classes begin. Part-time positions are also available. Of the McWork applicants, 84 per cent are approved to participate in the program.

Tracie Long, manager of student financial aid says Student Financial Aid & Scholarships began surveying students in 2003. “Student feedback from those surveys, and subsequent focus groups indicated that students wanted more 'real-time' access/response to a variety of applications. We chose to begin with an online application process for our Summer Work Program, which will have immediate benefits for our students,” she says. “Students will also see our move to an online Fall/Winter Work-Study Program this August.”

For more information about McWork visit http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/work_study/mcwork.html