Career Readiness Redefined

CLASworks Student Employee Program

CLASworks gives you more than just an on-campus job. We set you up for success as you learn to take ownership of your professional journey. Become part of a cohort of peers dedicated to personal and professional growth. Be supported by supervisors who see you as a person first, a student second and an employee third. Up your leadership game with opportunities to train, practice and lead. Learn to connect what you’re doing with the skills employers value. All while getting paid.

If you're interested, feel free to stop by our student-run Virtual Front Desk to get some insight from a current student employee or call/text us at 503-725-3514.

Apply via Handshake

Become Career-Ready

No matter where your degree from Portland State takes you, you’ll benefit from developing a set of critical professional skills. Through your day-to-day work, trainings and workshops, CLASworks helps you develop and articulate the eight career competencies that the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) calls essential: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork and technology.

Essential Competencies

What to Expect

Flexible hours to fit your busy schedule
Weekly student huddles to build community and professional development
Built-in mentorship and regular check-ins with your supervisor
Goal development and annual reviews to measure your progress
DEI training, including Right to Be's Bystander Intervention and SpeakOut's Race, Power, & Privilege
Leadership and networking training with Student Activities and Leadership Programs, Handshake and LinkedIn
Opportunities to grow in your role and become a student lead

What Our Students Are Saying

Kim Vu
Psychology '23

"As an alumni of PSU, spending my time working at the Dean’s Office has helped me tremendously in my professional life. Through the various projects and tasks, I learned to be a better communicator and team player, and how to manage my time more wisely. The weekly meetings helped me gain confidence in my public speaking skills. I felt secure in myself to land a job after I graduated due to the workshops on resume building, networking, and building my online profile. My supervisors were also my mentors as they supported and encouraged me to venture outside of my comfort zone."

Roger Pardo-Monahan
History and Social Science

"As a non-traditional student, CLASworks helped me to translate skills I already had from prior work experience and develop new ones as I transition to a new career in the non-profit sector. My supervisors listened to my personal goals for professional development and have provided me with opportunities to work in diverse and varied settings, including our college's centralized research support team and nearly half of our 24 departments. Lessons in leadership and encouragement to pursue other opportunities on campus helped me to work for the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative, Summer Scholars Program, and become student chair of the Campus Recreation Advisory Board. I have been afforded all of these opportunities in an environment that is also flexible enough so that I can keep up with my studies and not feel as though my work interferes with being a full-time student."

Deepti Gautam
Electrical Engineering

"Now in my third year here, I've consistently achieved my professional development goals, thanks to the guidance of my supervisors who have entrusted me with projects to enhance my skills. Throughout this time, I've gained valuable expertise in areas such as time management, career building, project management, and various software/hardware skills. Our weekly huddles provide a platform for connecting with other student employees, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge. The supportive environment encourages everyone to motivate each other to achieve their goals and be there for one another."

Helpful Links