National Student Employment Week 2026

Celebrating the Stars of Student Employment!

National Student Employment Week is celebrated during the second full week in April every year. Colleges and universities across the country take time to recognize the importance of student employees. Student employees perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, dedication, and initiative. Setting aside a special week to draw the awareness of others, both on and off campus, is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation. 

Nearly one-third of Iowa State students work on campus. Studies show that student employment is a powerful tool for students – helping with time management, connection to campus, and development of career readiness skills. We also know they have a huge impact on the work we do on campus. The Office of Financial Aid, in collaboration with campus partners, is excited to share a wide variety of campus-wide events. There will be a lot of prizes and giveaways for those that participate. We look forward to celebrating with you! 

Event Calendar

Monday, April 13

Events

Roll Out the Red Carpet – NSEW Kickoff

Hosted by: OSFA Student Employment Center Time: 1:00- 3:00 PM Location: Beardshear Hall Ground Floor

Join us as we celebrate the achievements of our student employees and launch a week dedicated to honoring the stars who make ISU shine. This is the perfect moment to connect with fellow student employees and recharge.

Take part in fun games, craft your perfect mix at the trail mix station, capture your moment in the spotlight at the VIP photo station, and explore prize tables filled with resources designed to help you continue your ISU and career journeys.

When you arrive at the kickoff, stop by the Ticket Office and drop your ticket into the prize box for the drawing you want to enter!

Kickoff Prize drawings include: Introductory flight lesson with Central Iowa Air Service, I‑Cubs tickets, Members 1st Community Credit Union Cooler Bundle (valued at $150), Theisen’s $100 gift card, $100 Dining Dollar Card (donated by VPSA), Ames Ford free oil change

Free Headshots 

Hosted by: College of Engineering Career Services Time: 1:00-4:00PM (open house)  Location: 3200 Marston

Stop by 3200 Marston anytime between 1-4 PM to use their photo backdrop to take an updated headshot! Please bring your own phone or camera!

Tuesday, April 14

Workshops

Play “PayBack” with Student Employment & Paint a Piggy Bank 

Hosted by: OSFA Student Employment Center Time: 10:00-11:00 AM  Location: Student Innovation Center 2260 Door Prize Drawing: $60 gift card toLa Casa Maya Mexican Restaurant

Step onto the red carpet for PAYBACK, an interactive game that puts you in the director’s chair of your financial future. As you play, you’ll face plot twists and big decisions that can shape your path through college and beyond—helping you explore ways to manage expenses and avoid a box-office flop when it comes to student loan debt. While there’s no one-size-fits-all script for financial success, this game can help you think through strategies you may not have considered. After the game, channel your inner artist by painting a piggy bank to take home—a fun reminder to keep your savings in the spotlight. Student employment can play a leading role in your story, helping you earn money while building valuable skills and experience along the way. Let’s set the stage for your financial future!

Painting supplies are limited.

All attendees will be automatically entered into a prize drawing for a $500 scholarship from the Office of Student Financial Aid, in honor of Financial Literacy Month. In addition, there will be a door prize drawing for a $60 gift card to La Casa Maya Mexican Restaurant.

Utilizing Personality Traits in the Workplace

Hosted by: OSFA Student Employment Center Time: 1:00-2:00 PM  Location: 0268 CARVER Door Prize Drawing: Free 30-minute massage to Avenues for Health

Just like in Hollywood, each individual brings unique strengths, styles, and talents to the team. This workshop explores how different personality traits influence communication, collaboration, and work styles in the workplace. Participants will gain insight into their own “star qualities,” learn how to work effectively with diverse personalities, and discover ways to help their entire team shine.

All attendees will receive a pin representing their personality type to take away. There will also be a door prize drawing for a free Avenues for Health 30‑minute massage gift certificate (a $50 value).

Events

Lights, Camera, Free Donuts!

Sponsored by: OSFA Student Employment Center & Ames East HyVee  Time: 8:00-10:00AM (or until supplies last)  Location: Outside Beardshear Hall

Grab a free donut and enjoy a star‑worthy treat on us. No tickets needed—just stop by while supplies last!

Free Headshots 

Hosted by: College of Engineering Career Services Time: 1:00-4:00PM (open house)  Location: 3200 Marston

Stop by 3200 Marston anytime between 1-4 PM to use their photo backdrop to take an updated headshot! Please bring your own phone or camera!

Hollywood Puzzle Night with Dirty Soda Bar & Popcorn Bar

Hosted by: Office of Student Financial Aid Time: 5:00-7:00PM Location: Student Innovation Center 1118 Door Prize Drawing: Flight lesson with Central Iowa Air Service

Step into the spotlight for a night of teamwork, treats, and friendly competition at the Hollywood Puzzle Showdown! Students will enjoy a popcorn bar and dirty soda bar while teaming up to race against the clock to complete a Hollywood‑themed puzzle. The first team to finish will earn a chance to win Chick‑fil‑A or Thai Kitchen gift cards, along with some red‑carpet‑worthy bragging rights.

Sign up with friends, or come solo and we’ll pair you with a team! Not a puzzle fan? No problem! Stop by to grab some soda and popcorn and enter the prize drawing for a free flight lesson with Central Iowa Air Service.

Wednesday, April 15

Events

Cue the Trivia: Virtual Edition

Hosted by: Office of Student Financial Aid Time: 11:00AM-12:00PM   Location: Virtual Prize Options: See Description Below

Students can register to test their trivia knowledge in a fun, interactive virtual game — all for a chance to win great prizes. From quick questions to friendly competition, this fast‑paced game brings the fun straight to their screen!

Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will get to pick from the following prizes: Seven Oaks Recreation gift card, Springhill Suites by Marriott free hotel stay ($150 value), and a Thai Kitchen $50 gift card.

Real Game of Life

Hosted by: Office of Student Financial Aid Time: 1:00-3:00PM (come and go style, simulation will only take 15-20 minutes)   Location: Oak Room Memorial Union Prize Drawing: $500 Scholarship

The Game of Life… After ISU is a fun and interactive event designed to show how everyday financial decisions can shape your future. Through a hands-on simulation, participants will explore real‑life scenarios and see how their choices impact long‑term financial well‑being.

Bonus incentive: All attendees who complete the simulation will be entered into a drawing for a $500 scholarship, generously provided by the Office of Student Financial Aid in honor of Financial Literacy Month.

Free Headshots 

Hosted by: College of Engineering Career Services Time: 1:00-4:00PM (open house)  Location: 3200 Marston

Stop by 3200 Marston anytime between 1-4 PM to use their photo backdrop to take an updated headshot! Please bring your own phone or camera!

Thursday, April 16

Events

Coffee & Tea Bar

Hosted by: Recreation Services      Time: 7:30-9:30 AM      Location: State Gym

Stop by Thursday morning to grab a cup of coffee or tea at the State Gym.

Paw‑parazzi Alert…Therapy Dogs & Kettle Corn Treat Giveaway

Sponsored by: ISU Student Employment Center & ISU Dining Time: 11-1 PM    Location: Green Space Across from Beardshear Hall

Come by for paw‑sitive vibes, cuddly co‑stars, and a paw-fect escape. & grab a kettle corn treat while supplies last.

Free Headshots 

Hosted by: College of Engineering Career Services Time: 1:00-4:00PM (open house)  Location: 3200 Marston

Stop by 3200 Marston anytime between 1-4 PM to use their photo backdrop to take an updated headshot! Please bring your own phone or camera!

Workshops

How to Job 101: The Fine Line Between “Student” and “Employee”

Hosted by: LAS Career Services Time: 2:00-3:00 PM  Location: 0268 Carver Hall Door prize: One‑month premium membership to Harvest Pickleball & Tennis ($70 value)

Campus employment offers students powerful opportunities to build career‑ready skills. This interactive workshop helps Iowa State student employees understand how their daily work connects to employer‑valued professional competencies and how to communicate those skills effectively on resumes and in interviews.

Grounded in the NACE Career Readiness Competencies and the ISU Student Learning Framework (Learning Everywhere), participants will explore professionalism and communication expectations, learn how to translate student employment into strong resume bullet points, and practice interview strategies using the STAR method. Co‑presented by an LAS Career Advisor and an LAS Career Peer Advisor, the workshop blends employer perspective with real student experience to help attendees confidently articulate their value, both now and in future career pursuits.

Door prize: One‑month premium membership to Harvest Pickleball & Tennis ($70 value)

Friday, April 17

Events

Trivia Train

Hosted by: Office of Student Financial Aid Time: All day  Location: Around Campus

As you head to class, keep an eye out for the Trivia Train Golf cart! Answer various Trivia questions for a chance to win exciting prizes! Feel free to hop aboard and win some prizes!

NSEW Donations

Supervisors, looking for some inspiration to recognize your student employees? Check out NSEW Supervisor Tools