New Student Employee Orientation
At the beginning of each semester, all new student employees at the University of South Carolina are invited to participate in an orientation. This orientation helps new student employees create connections across the university, hear from university leadership, and learn about professional development opportunities available to them.
Spring 2026 Registration Now Open!
New student employees are invited to attend a new student employee orientation on:
- Wednesday, January 28th from 5:15 - 7:45pm (check in begins at 5:00pm) or
- Friday, January 30th from 12:00 - 2:30pm (check in begins at 11:45am)
New student employees should register for one of the orientations by Wednesday, January 21st.
Student Employee Workshop Series
Student Employees are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the semester. There are two kinds of student employee workshop series that are available:
Core Series: The core series workshops are offered each semester and cover some essential and foundational needs for professional success both now and post-graduateion.
Learn how to manage your time and stay on top of competing priorities. You will leave this workshop with actionable takeaways that will give you the tools to meet every deadline.
When: Tuesday, January 27th from 5 - 6pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
Learn how to manage your time and stay on top of competing priorities. You will leave this workshop with actionable takeaways that will give you the tools to meet every deadline.
When: Wednesday, February 18th from 5 - 6pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
This workshop will feature an alumni panel of former student employees. Hear firsthand how their on-campus roles provided formative experiences, built foundational skills, and served as transformational steppingstones in their careers. This session is an opportunity to reflect on the value of student employment, gain inspiration for your own journey, and connect with alumni who turned campus work into lasting professional growth beyond Columbia their time as Gamecocks.
When: Tuesday, March 24th from 5 - 6pm
Where: Virtual
Learn tips to manage your money and improve your financial literacy!
When: Thursday, March 26th from 5 - 6pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
Semester Spotlight Series: The semester spotlight series are seasonal workshops that rotate onto the schedule to give you additional, potentially niche, insight into other topics related to your personal and professionaldevelopment.
Conflict is stressful, and whether in your current role as a student employee or in a future position, you will experience some sort of conflict in the workplace. Through this workshop, you will learn practical techniques to communicate clearly under pressure via email, phone, or in person, all while maintaining professionalism.
When: Wednesday, February 4th from 11am - 12pm
Where: Byrnes Building Classroom 201
This workshop will help student employees build their own “level-up” plan—where they decide what skills they want to focus on with their on campus job, what professional goals they want to crush (now and later), and how to get there step by step.
When: Tuesday, February 10th from 5 - 6pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
This workshop is designed to introduce student employees to the term "managing up". The workshop will provide student employees with tips and strategies to assist with creating healthy working relationships. Student employees will leave the workshop with effective communication strategies, know how to advocate for themselves, practice approaches to navigate disagreements with supervisors and learn how to give as well as receive feedback.
When: Friday, February 20th from 1 - 2pm
Where: Patterson Hall Classroom 103/104
Balancing work, school, and life can feel like a never-ending juggling act — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this interactive workshop, student employees will learn practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-care, and advocating for themselves in the workplace and beyond. Through real-life scenarios and actionable tips, participants will discover how to manage their time, protect their energy, and create a sustainable rhythm that supports both personal well-being and professional growth. Walk away with tools you can use right away to work smarter, stress less, and thrive in every area of your life.
When: Monday, February 23rd from 1 - 2pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
This panel will explore topics such as time management, communication with supervisors, workplace expectations, and professional growth. Whether you’re new to your role or returning for another year, this session offers peer-to-peer insight and helpful takeaways.
When: Wednesday, March 4th from 3 - 4pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
This interactive workshop is designed for students who currently hold or aspire to peer management roles. Participants will explore the unique dynamics of peer leadership, learn practical communication and feedback strategies, and gain tools for handling conflict, decision-making, and accountability. Through discussion, real-world scenarios, and reflection, students will leave with increased confidence and a clearer sense of their leadership identity.
When: Wednesday, April 1st from 3 - 4pm
Where: Russell House University Union Room 302
Conflict is stressful, and whether in your current role as a student employee or in a future position, you will experience some sort of conflict in the workplace. Through this workshop, you will learn practical techniques to communicate clearly under pressure via email, phone, or in person, all while maintaining professionalism.
When: Tuesday, April 14th from 11am - 12pm
Where: Byrnes Building Classroom 201
Each workshop does require registration 24 hours in advance (separate from the new student employee orientation RSVP), which can be found when expanding details for each specific workshop above.
Please note if RSVP's for workshops are low, they may be rescheduled and/or cancelled.
Spur Sessions: Student Employee Coaching
Student Employee of the Month
View the list of student employees who have won Student Employee of the Month this academic year.
Mihir Patel, Facility Manager, Russell House Event Services
Lindsey Czaniecki, Aquatics Manager, Campus Recreation
Nominate an exceptional student for Student Employee of the Month.