Waking up for a 9 a.m. class after a long weekend can be very difficult, especially after the realization that you just blew the money you have been saving for fall break in three days. If you find yourself in a similar situation or are just looking for ways to get more involved in the campus community, student assistantships might just be the thing for you!

Student assistantships are on-campus part-time jobs for NYU Abu Dhabi students. Almost every department on campus offers assistantship programs — from Athletics to Campus Life. This results in a wide range of positions that cater to different student interests.

The assistantship program provides a useful platform for students to learn new skills and explore career options, while also compensating them. They are an opportunity to have your first job in a familiar environment and without having to commute into the city.

“Working as a library assistant in my freshman year was a really fruitful experience; it helped me improve my research and citation skills a lot as I got to learn about the multiple resources that NYUAD has to offer. My academic writing also benefited a lot because of this experience,” said Rishav Sikaria, Class of 2021. “Getting compensated was an added bonus, in the sense that I could save up for my travels independently and not have to rely on my parents for money.”

The campus started offering student assistantship programs in 2015 and they have been gaining popularity in recent semesters. Through these part-time jobs, students get the flexibility to get involved in initiatives they are passionate about. The positions also facilitate students’ professional growth by boosting their resumes and giving them a platform to network.

“I work a lot with environmental initiatives through community outreach like the turtle patrol and the nurdle hunt. I’ve been working on expanding the environmental service opportunities available to students, which has been fun because I’m interested in working in conservation in the future,” said Killian Durmont, Class of 2021. “The office has been really amazing about letting me propose ideas and take work in a direction I’m passionate about.”

However, taking up a student assistantship is a commitment that demands up to 15 hours of work a week. On a campus like ours with so many events to attend and Student Interest Groups to be a part of, these part-time jobs may overwhelm students. Having work Friday or Saturday morning means that students have to make some compromises.

“The opportunity cost of working at the library was that sometimes I would have to miss out on outings with my friends, or even the cool events happening at The Arts Center because of my shift timings,” said Sikaria. “Finding replacements, especially during the weekends would be very difficult.”

Moreover, not all students who take up assistantship programs do it for professional or academic reasons. In fact, compensation often motivates students to apply for on-campus positions. Most positions pay a standard salary of 30 AED per hour. This allows students to earn around 2000 AED per month.

Regardless of students’ initial intentions, they gain valuable experience and a community or family to be a part of.

“I started interning for StartAD because I wanted to explore the start up scene in Abu Dhabi and learn social media marketing skills,” stated Siya Chandrie, Class of 2021. “While I did gain a set of marketing skills, the best part about the experience was getting a chance to really bond with my co-workers and make new friends and networks.”