FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington was recently recognized by the Forum for Youth Investment, a national research-based organization, for its commitment to expanding on-campus student employment opportunities through the UMF Student Work Initiative.

UMF is one of three national universities cited for their promising student employment strategies in the organization’s recent Ready by 21® publication supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation titled “When Working Works: Employment and Postsecondary Success.”

According to the organization’s research findings, “college friendly jobs” like those created by the UMF program promote greater student engagement in learning, improved work skills, better college persistence and an advantage in today’s job market, while also helping students afford college.

One of several on-campus employment opportunities for students, UMF’s Student Work Initiative was launched in 1998 by Theodora J. Kalikow, UMF president, to strengthen and diversify interactions between students and faculty, integrate student jobs with academic majors and student life and improve college persistence.

“On-campus jobs that empower students to be involved with their learning help them stay in school and learn how to be successful with their educational and career goals,” said Kalikow. “Students are challenged and engaged when there is a strong connection between their work and academic interests and these experiences provide a powerful learning tool and help them see their way forward in the world.”

As reported in the Ready by 21® publication, “college friendly jobs” share some common characteristics that appear to support student success in college including: flexible hours (no more than 20 hours a week), “school comes first” environment, opportunities for skill building, hands-on experience, connections to classroom content, career-related learning, professional work environment, consistent and constructive feedback and academic credit.

UMF Student Work Initiative position proposals are created by faculty or staff and include specific skill development objectives for students, working conditions that will facilitate retention and strategies for individualized supervision. Jobs range from research and service opportunities to working as lab and computer repair technicians.

All UMF students are eligible to apply for Student Work Initiative positions, regardless of financial need. Returning students are required to maintain a 2.75 grade point average. Nearly half of UMF’s 2,000 students are employed on campus between the Student Work Initiative, Federal Work Study and other programs.

The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1998. Ready by 21® is a set of innovative strategies that helps communities and states improve the odds that all children and youth will be ready for college, work and life.