Prospective Students

The Student Employment Office at Pepperdine University strives to facilitate opportunities for students to gain employment, work experience, and professional skills through both on- and off-campus employment experience. Many of you may be interested in finding out how Pepperdine University supports you in finding ways to earn extra income and gain meaningful work experience during your time in school if this is where you choose to make your home.

More than 2,000 students work on campus each year through a variety of work programs:

Federal Work-Study/ Pepperdine Work Program
Community Service
On-campus Departmental
Off campus

Positions are accessed through an online-job platform known as Handshake where students can view current job postings and internship opportunities.

Collage of Pepperdine University campus landmarks

Opportunities to Gain Experience at Pepperdine

At the beginning of each academic year, some students who demonstrate financial need will be awarded with Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) or Pepperdine Work Program (PWP) funds as a part of their financial aid package. Through the Federal Work-Study Program or Pepperdine Work Program, the student may earn up to the amount of his/her award by working for an on-campus FWS/PWP job or an approved off-campus community service partner.

For those with no work-study awards, there are numerous on-campus departmental and off-campus positions available for students. Those without an award have as many opportunities to find positions fitting their interests as do those awarded with FWS or PWP.

To begin your journey, view the various opportunities offered by Pepperdine to earn extra income and meaningful work experiences:

Student and employer looking at computer - Pepperdine University — On-Campus Departmental

Departmental positions are on-campus jobs that are paid from the department's budget. This method of hire is available to all currently enrolled students regardless of their financial need. For more information, please click here

Student standing between two adults holding flowers - Pepperdine University — Federal Work-Study / Community Service (FWS)

FWS positions offer the opportunity to work on-campus in various academic, administrative, and recreation-oriented offices, as well as opportunities to work off campus with our community service partners. For more information, please click here

Students working in an office - Pepperdine University — Pepperdine Work Program (PWP)

Pepperdine Work Program (PWP) is an institutional program generally offered to students who demonstrate financial need. PWP students work only in on-campus positions across various academic, administrative, and recreation-oriented offices. For more information, please click here

Los Angeles shopping center - Pepperdine University — Off-Campus

There are various opportunities off-campus where students can work closely with Malibu families and the local community. Some of these opportunities include: Childcare (baby-sitting, nannying), tutoring, etc. For more information, please click here