For Temple University’s more than 5,000 student workers — and the dozens of departments that employ them — a new online system has made the process of connecting students with jobs easier. Beginning last fall, automated student hiring meant students could search and apply for positions through TUportal.

“Feedback this year has been really positive,” said Associate Vice President for Human Resources Harry A. Young. “Students like it, because it helps them know what jobs are available and use their work-study awards. And managers like it because it makes the whole process more integrated and efficient.”

Throughout the summer of 2007, Human Resources staff worked with departments to set them up with the new hiring system. By August, those responsible for hiring could post their positions online, track applicants and electronically upload new students into the university’s payroll system.

The once-cumbersome, manual student hiring process can now have students connected with HR’s central timekeeping system within 24 hours of their being entered.

“It has helped us immensely, because of the larger number of students that we employ,” said Linda Buonanno, associate director of Campus Recreation. “We’re able to be more efficient and provide quality customer service to our students.”

Campus Recreation, which employs around 235 student workers each semester, helped test the new process before it became available to the rest of the university. According to Buonanno, the system lets students know “in a timely manner” that their applications are being reviewed, and the security and confidentiality of students’ information has been strengthened, because the information is located in one place, and applications aren’t being copied and distributed.

“It’s also decreased the amount of time we spend processing, copying and distributing the applications,” said Buonanno, citing the 1,000-plus fall applications, and 300-plus spring applications Campus Recreation receives.

Before the automated system went into effect, students often found out about job openings from fliers, the work-study program and word of mouth.

When junior nursing major Mackenzie Wilcox transferred to Temple last summer, the online hiring system meant the right job was just a few clicks away.

“It took all the wondering out of finding where to go and who to talk to,” said Wilcox, who found a job as a recreation specialist for Campus Recreation. “It’s the easiest online application I’ve ever done.”

Departments: For more information about Temple’s new online student hiring system, contact Stephanie Tschanz at steph712@temple.edu or 215-204-7174.

Students: From TUportal, click on “Student links.” Under “Other Links,” select “StudentJobs@Temple.” If it’s your first time applying for a job, you’ll need to create a username and password before you can use the system.

—By Betsy Winter Hall and Leslie Saunders for the Temple Times