Category: The role of the supervisor

Terminating a Student Employee

Posted on by clonigan

This topic was presented by Elizabeth Schrey.  It has been edited slightly.  I am sure that many of you have handled difficult terminations in the past.  What suggestions do you have?

I took over supervising our student assistants and most of the current students were in place when I took over.  I am having an issue with one of these student workers.  I set up a one on one with him to address issues of critical thinking, professionalism, language and so on.  He has shown some improvement, but is still so far behind where we need him to be.  I have had several trainings and one on ones and nothing is working.  He just does not seem to get it and/or care.  I am at my wits end.  I am going to have to let him go.  However, I do not want to leave him in the lurch.  Does anyone have any recommendations on how to fire a student?  I want to be able to provide him with resources and other opportunities that better fit his skills.  He is very task oriented and needs a lot of structure.  I am thinking the ROTC might be up his alley.  Thoughts?

Motivating Student Employees

Posted on by clonigan

This topic was submitted by Keith Gonzalez for a new discussion.  What do you think?

I’ve noticed in my past employee population, some of my students rise to the occasion of ownership of the tasks that need to get done. I’ve consciously tried to give this opportunity to each student worker to take on the tasks of the lab, showing them the equipment, how to set it up, and the scheduling calendar. Some students automatically checked the calendar during their shift to make sure everything was covered. Others just couldn’t care less. I know that each student comes with her/his own motivations for success. I just wonder if there are some techniques in getting the ones who are less involved in their jobs to become more attentive to their duties without me having to always be “nagging” them.