Students are diverse individuals and caution must be exercised in categorizing students as a homogeneous population. There are, however, some generalizations that can be made about student employees and, consequently, some implications for supervision.
Students are short-term employees. Their primary goal and their first concern is academics.
Students have a desire for quick results and impact.
Students are struggling with a great deal of issues related to:
- Autonomy from their parents
- Relationships with their peers
- Independence and self-management skills
- Academic performance
- Discovering who they are as individuals
- The integration and acceptance of a workable value system
- A career and life direction
- Establishing an ethical and moral base of reasoning
Students are free from the constraints of experience or vested interest in long-term employment.
Supervisors should read: Ten Strategies to Help Student Employees Succeed (PDF)