Taking your first step to the world of the job market is much easier and accessible than you think. AUA offers Tuition Support Program opportunities in various departments of the University.
AUA’s work-study program is a tuition support program that offers paid, on-campus positions that provide students with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge, strengthen their skills and explore how their academic studies translate to career possibilities.
Nona Aghababyan, 20, an EC junior, has been working at the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) as part of the work-study program for more than a year. She described her work-study experience in EPIC as an opportunity that offers her valuable insight from marketing, PR and startup culture. Having little understanding of how entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem worked, Nona decided to apply for EPIC out of eagerness to try herself in a totally new area.
“As a student who has never been exposed to the startup ecosystem entrepreneur mindset, EPIC has made me absolutely fall in love with this field,” said Nona enthusiastically. She started her journey at EPIC as the operations support, but now she is responsible for the PR and marketing of the team.
Although work-study is a Tuition Support Program, one should not have high hopes to earn the amount to be able to cover a substantial part of their tuition fee. The average gross salary of the work-study program is about 53,000 dram.
For Nona, work-study is more than getting tuition assistance. “As I was applying for this program, salary was definitely not in the scope of my interest,” Nona said. “I was looking for personal growth, first of all.”
With regard to eligibility, students who have received any kind of tuition assistance are still able to apply for this program. However, students who have received full-tuition assistance are not eligible to apply for this program. Contrary to common belief, the salary students receive for the services they provide, does not go directly toward tuition but rather is given to the students as “extra money” for them to use as they please.
“The work-study program is an excellent opportunity for the students to have their first interference with the real-life job market, which will provide them with an immense package of knowledge and skills,” stated Arina Bekchyan, the director of Human Resources at AUA.
According to 2020-2021, AUA Factbook, AUA has about 30 work-study students, from both graduate and undergraduate programs, in all the departments combined that offer work-study positions. The number of applications the HR department receives for the work-study positions varies according to each department.
According to Bekchyan, the most number of applications they got as they posted the latest announcements was for the Office of the Registrar with more than 90 applicants interested in this position, the Department of Communications with more than 40 applicants interested in this position, EPIC and AGBU Papazian Library.
Hasmik Marukhyan, 20, is an EC junior, who is doing work-study at the AUA Admission Office. Hasmik started her work-study journey almost two years ago, from the second semester of her first year. Her experience as a work-study student, first of all, helped her to have a smoother integration in the University. “It was my first step to get out of my comfort zone and try myself in a completely different environment,” said Hasmik with a smile. She recalled her first semester working as a work-study as the period of self-realization and growth.
“Being a student who works, definitely brings its challenges, says Hasmik. “However, over the two years of working here, I’ve learned how to manage my time by balancing my studies, my job and having fun with my friends. I’ve found it very rewarding since I have gained a good understanding of what it’s like to work with others and handle challenging situations.”
As Nona and Hasmik both agree, one of the benefits of doing work-study is the flexibility of the working hours. Work-study students are not at all confined to the schedules the departments provide. Instead, students can suggest the hours that do not coincide with their classes and are the most convenient for them to complete their maximum of 20 hours per week of work.
Among the most motivating factors as a work-study student, as both Nona and Hasmik emphasized, is the supportive and loving working environment both in EPIC and the Office of Admissions.
The ideal work-study student should have a high sense of responsibility and eagerness to learn. “We do not expect 19-20-year-old students to have work experience to be able to apply for this program. Instead, they are here to start getting the experience they need,” emphasized Bekchyan.
As much as the work-study program offers tuition support, it has the student’s learning at the center of the experience. It gives you the opportunity to have an experience of working not only with your peers, but also with people of different ages, backgrounds and personalities.
