F&S employs more than 1,000 highly-skilled and dedicated workers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A small portion of that workforce comes from students working in a field close to what they study academically. The week of April 8-12 was declared National Student Employment Week by the National Student Employment Association (NSEA). See below for tremendous success stories from four 2024 student employees, and how their work has proven fruitful for the university and themselves.
For more information about full-time, part-time, and student employment opportunities at F&S, go to the F&S Careers page: fs.illinois.edu/careers.
Jackson Stanhope, utilities & energy services
How would you describe the value of this student employment opportunity with F&S?
My time with the Retrocommissioning (RCx) department of F&S has come with immense value. It has given me the opportunity to develop and diversify my skill set, while also gaining practical real world experience. For instance, since working at F&S I have become proficient in Autodesk AutoCAD, Adobe Acrobat, and a variety of other useful software programs, all of which will prove to be very beneficial as I progress in my career as a mechanical engineer. Additionally, our work directly contributes to improving campus sustainability and reducing energy costs. It’s rewarding to know we’re making a positive impact on both the community and environment.
What do you understand better now about F&S than you did before?
What I understand better now about F&S is how amazing and caring the employees are. Everyone has been incredibly helpful, offering assistance whenever needed. This fosters a positive and encouraging work environment, which I truly appreciate.
What has been your favorite experience, work project, or success story as an F&S student employee?
My favorite experience so far has been working on color coded floor plans for the Campus Instructional Facility. As an engineering student, I frequent this building for many of my classes, making it particularly fascinating to gain a deeper understanding of the layout and infrastructure as it is a building that I see in my day to day life on campus.
Logan Fisher, building maintenance
How would you describe the value of this student employment opportunities with F&S?
The experiences I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of as a student employee at PPSB have been invaluable to me. I’ve had the chance to participate in a wide variety of projects and experiences that have and will positively impact my future. I’m a first-year Masters of Architecture student and have gotten to learn things that many of my peers likely never will in their Architecture careers. I also really appreciate the flexibility I’ve been given when it comes to my hours and the projects I work on. My supervisor has been more than willing to work around my academic schedule and he understands how important my education is to me. A lot of student job opportunities around campus aren’t like this at all, and I’m very appreciative of my job at F&S.
I’m also very appreciative that I’ve been able to gain professional experience hours while working at F&S. To become a licensed Architect in the United States, I need a certain amount of experience hours in a wide variety of disciplines. My supervisors at Building Maintenance & Grounds have made it possible to where a licensed Architect can sign off on the wide variety of things I’ve worked on. As a result, I’ve been able to work away at those hours while being a student at the same time. Again, many of my peers don’t have this same opportunity.
What do you understand better now about F&S than you did before?
Before working here, I wasn’t quite sure what F&S did. I would always see their cars around campus, but I never really thought about what they might be doing. I’ve come to realize that the people who work for F&S are the ones who maintain everything on campus and keep things running. I’m much more appreciative of the employees at F&S and everything they do than I’ve ever been before.
What has been your favorite experience, work project, success story as an F&S student employee?
I’ve really enjoyed working on the braille project with Kevin Westray. It’s one of those seemingly miniscule things that I never gave any thought to as an Architecture student. It’s been extremely fascinating to learn about and become proficient in. The braille project has opened my eyes to how wide and complex accessibility is in the United States, and I’ve now become more sensitive to all of that when I’m designing projects in my classes.
Amar Koric, utilities & energy services
How would you describe the value of this student employment opportunities with F&S?
Working at F&S as a student employee has been incredibly valuable for me. One of the key aspects that stands out is the fantastic working environment. Here, everyone is always ready and willing to help, whether it’s assisting with tasks or teaching new skills. This supportive atmosphere has greatly contributed to my growth and learning as a future mechanical engineer.
What do you understand better now about F&S than you did before?
In terms of understanding F&S better, particularly within the Retrocommissioning (RCx) department where I work, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge. I now have a deep understanding of mechanical and control systems, thanks to hands-on experience and guidance from experienced colleagues. Additionally, I’ve learned how to create detailed floor plans using AutoCAD, which is crucial for showcasing the strategic placement of equipment like air handling units and fans. Moreover, I’ve developed skills in identifying and addressing anomalies within mechanical and control systems using various campus building graphics software. This includes interpreting drawings related to ventilation, heating, and temperature control.
What has been your favorite experience, work project, success story as an F&S student employee?
One of my most memorable experiences as an F&S student employee was a project I worked on at the Roger Adams Lab. I was tasked with identifying anomalies in the temperature control system, specifically focusing on the hot water/chilled water system and lab fume hoods using building graphics software. Through diligent analysis and problem-solving, I was able to pinpoint areas for improvement that ultimately led to significant energy savings for the building. This project not only showcased my skills but also contributed positively to the efficiency and sustainability goals of the university.
Ishan Joshi, facilities information resources
How would you describe the value of this student employment opportunity with F&S?
This opportunity has been incredibly valuable for me as it has provided hands-on experience in managing large amounts of archival data with precision, a skill crucial for ensuring accurate records. Additionally, it has allowed me to become familiar with various software tools and taught me how to efficiently utilize them to yield clear results.
What do you understand better now about F&S than you did before?
My time at F&S has given me a deeper understanding that it’s more than just a typical desk job. It’s a supportive environment where I can truly be myself and where continuous learning is encouraged every step of the way.
What has been your favorite experience, work project, success story as an F&S student employee?
One of the most rewarding experiences during my tenure at F&S has been acquiring a new skill under the guidance of my exceptional supervisor, Beth, within just a month. The support and mentorship received have truly accelerated my growth and made each milestone incredibly fulfilling.