Spaces to GROW: Library Student Employment as a High Impact Practice

Abstract

Student employees spend many hours in the academic library workplace each week, frequently more than they spend in the classroom. In addition to the time and effort that having a job requires, other elements of student employment can be framed as High Impact Educational Practices by the way that they engage students in integration, synthesis, and application of knowledge. The learning in the classroom and the learning on the job is often reciprocally related and mutually beneficial. Work experience is also applicable to students’ professional goals once graduated. Librarians at East Carolina University recently implemented several enhancements to their student employment framework in order to make the practice more meaningful and helpful to students’ academic and career trajectory. They were developed through a focused, intentional collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen student connections and help them achieve their goals. The enhancements include a half-day orientation, professional development opportunities, and guided reflection conversations with supervisors twice a semester based on the nationally respected Iowa GROW model. Come to this session to learn proven strategies to engage students in their library employment and contribute to their academic and personal success.