Passaic Today

Before most students arrive on campus, Joziah Lopez is already at work, unlocking the doors of University College and preparing for the day. Lopez, a senior majoring in Communication and Media Studies at Montclair State University, manages front desk responsibilities and helps run interactive events like “Major Mystery,” which aims to help students identify suitable majors.

“Usually, I wake up around 6:30, grab a quick breakfast and head out. I get here about 20 minutes early,” said Lopez, who commutes from Newark. He described his campus job as “a great opportunity to make money and have a job while also balancing schoolwork.”

Montclair State University employs about 2,000 students each year in various roles across campus such as IT, financial aid, student services, and academic offices. The university has implemented a dedicated employment task force and cross-campus support to connect student jobs with personal and professional growth.

A key part of this approach is the WORK initiative (Work Opportunities and Real World Knowledge), which provides student employees with professional development and workplace training. All student workers complete new online coursework—currently unique among New Jersey higher education institutions.

Gwen Dang serves as the Community Resilience Intern with the University Police Department. She coordinates events and outreach across both Montclair and Bloomfield campuses, supports advocacy efforts, manages resources, conducts research, and evaluates projects. Dang is also involved in setting up and managing special events on campus.

Samantha Almonte, a senior Public Health major working as a Community Partnerships intern for the Bonner Leader Program, organizes service initiatives including Alternative Spring Break planning. “The position has empowered me to sharpen my event planning abilities,” she said.

Mateo Llano works as an Engagement Intern for the Bonner Leader Program. He helps organize drives for toys, Thanksgiving meals, winter clothing collections, and cultural events. Llano credits his internship with improving his teamwork skills: “The most important skill I have learned is communication, especially in team settings.”

Ieema Dinnall is a junior studying Business Administration who assists in promoting career events through her role in the Office for Experiential Education and Career Connections. Her tasks include connecting students with employers and gathering data on top hiring organizations in the tristate area. “These skills that I’m learning will help me in the long run,” Dinnall said. “Approving employers has helped me practice evaluating credibility and risk.”

Sociology Assistant Professor Daniel Douglas highlighted research that shows working during college can benefit students’ future earnings if they complete their degrees. “Balancing a job with college can boost your future earnings, especially if you finish your degree,” he explained. He added that employment during college demonstrates both academic achievement and valuable work experience: “Working while enrolled demonstrates both the credential of a degree and the employment history that employers value.”

Montclair State’s recent performance in national rankings such as those by Wall Street Journal/College Pulse reflects these outcomes. These rankings focus on graduates’ financial success rather than only traditional academic metrics. According to recent data, Montclair graduates see an average increase of $34,013 in annual salary compared to peers from similar institutions; most are able to recoup their educational investment within just under two years.

The university’s WORK course was recently launched to further support student employees’ professional development. Students are automatically enrolled once hired for campus jobs. The course includes modules on leveraging work experience and developing professional relationships.

“Compared to other universities, I believe we stand out because many institutions are still working on how student employment fits into student success,” said Wright. “Montclair has built a community around it. To my knowledge, no other New Jersey university has a dedicated online course open to all students regardless of whether they have a job yet.”

Story by Marilyn Joyce Lehren