Affordability is one of the greatest threats to student persistence in higher education; a survey of current college students at risk of dropping out said their primary concern is the cost of tuition.

To make ends meet, a majority of college students (67 percent) work for pay in some capacity, according to a fall 2024 survey by Trellis Strategies. Among working students, 43 percent were employed at least 40 hours per week, and 25 percent held more than one job.

Employment can be beneficial for learners’ future career success because it teaches them durable skills such as communication, time management and professionalism, and it can give them insight into their job interests or disinterests.

However, working students—particularly those who work full-time—are less likely to retain than their peers, in part because juggling personal, family and financial responsibilities is a significant challenge. A 2024 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab found that over half (59 percent) of students who work full-time said managing competing priorities was among their top stressors.

Therefore, students can benefit from university-sponsored events that identify flexible employment opportunities, accommodating ever-changing college schedules. Just under half (48 percent) of students believe colleges should focus more on helping students find jobs and internship possibilities, and 36 percent believe institutions should connect students to employers, according to the 2024 Student Voice survey.

One solution colleges have implemented is creating job fairs focused on part-time employment opportunities, which simultaneously bolster the local workforce and give students much-needed experience.

Making career connections: Like traditional career fairs, which help students identify long-term employment opportunities and internships, part-time job fairs showcase job opportunities catered toward students who are often entry-level employees.

The jobs may be on campus or close by, but they share the understanding that students will work while enrolled rather than secure a job for academic breaks or after graduation. Part-time job fairs are often more laid-back as well, asking students to bring a class schedule and wear business casual clothing as they chat with hiring managers.

To take a few examples:

Illinois State University hosts two events for students to investigate job openings, You Can Work at ISU Student Hiring Event, which introduces learners to the various campus departments that hire part-time student workers, and the Part-Time Job Fair, which features local retailers, nonprofits and other organizations looking for new talent.

Old Dominion University invited a variety of employers to the spring 2025 part-time job fair, including the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Salvation Army, the Virginia Aquarium and Papa John’s Pizza, in addition to university departments including study abroad, the military connection center and facilities management.

Mississippi State University’s part-time jobs fair also includes research assistant or graduate assistant roles, providing students a glimpse at academic career opportunities.

Students say they enjoy part-time job fairs because they provide the opportunity to earn additional money and create connections with employers, according to Fort Hays State University’s student paper, Tiger Media.

Do you have a career-focused intervention that might help others promote student success? Tell us about it.