As an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley who has worked as an IT technician for over two years, I can say with confidence that this experience has been one of the most rewarding of my college career. Working for Berkeley IT has allowed me to gain valuable experience in information technology (IT) and allowed me to not only meet, but work alongside some of the most diverse, hardworking, and talented individuals.
If you were ever curious about what it is like being a student working at Berkeley IT, this article will give you a glimpse into various experiences of UC Berkeley student employees.
My Student Employment Journey
During my time with Berkeley IT, I’ve been fortunate enough to work on multiple teams within the organization, including IT Client Services Special Operations 
Students, Provisioning and Procurement, On-Site Campus Support (now known as In-Person Device Support), and Communications. Berkeley IT provides many diverse employment opportunities for students.
My employee title is student technician on the IT Client Services Special Operations Students team in Berkeley IT, and most of my work experience has been there. I never expected that role would present me with the opportunity to work in so many different areas of IT. In fact, I was nervous about whether I had the necessary technical and customer support skills to be successful in that first role. However, my supervisors and fellow team members were very supportive in providing many resources for learning these new skills. There were also opportunities to explore other groups that I expressed interest in, and Berkeley IT staff were always extremely welcoming of new student members. Each group I worked with provided me with extensive training and support, helping me to feel confident in my ability to troubleshoot problems, provide technical assistance to users, and increase accessibility and visibility of Berkeley IT efforts.
Benefits of Student Employment
One of the most rewarding aspects of working for UC Berkeley IT is the opportunity to directly help others. As an IT Client Services technician, I am often the first point of contact for clients who are experiencing technical difficulties. Being able to solve their problems and get them back up and running has been incredibly fulfilling. It also allowed me to meet so many members of campus in various departments that I otherwise may never have the chance to speak to.
This job has also allowed me to develop a range of new skills. In addition to technical skills, such as troubleshooting and software installation, I have also gained experience in customer service and project management as I was given multiple opportunities to lead my own projects within the team. Eric Lu,
another student technician for IT Client Services, found it interesting learning about “security practices and how big organizations like universities manage their computers.” Additionally, SAIT employee Nikita Chauhan developed her “leadership and management skills as marketing manager of the marketing team.” These are skills that will be valuable in any career after graduation.
Another benefit of working for Berkeley IT has been the opportunity to connect with professionals in the information technology industry. I had the chance to both attend and work on conferences such as UC Tech, where I was able to network and learn skills that may prove beneficial in the future. I developed many invaluable relationships with colleagues I worked with who come from diverse backgrounds and have been very supportive in my career goals. Unlike traditional classroom learning, working with Berkeley IT provides students with hands-on experience in a professional setting. Students can then apply the skills they learn to tackle real-world problems and gain insightful experience that will be attractive to future employers.
Challenges of Student Employment
Of course, there have been some challenges along the way. Balancing work and school can be difficult at times, especially during midterms and finals which are inherently more stressful periods of the semester for students. However, my supervisors have always been understanding and supportive, providing me with the flexibility I need to manage my time effectively.
In fact, student employees from both IT Client Services and SAIT have expressed that there is great flexibility with scheduling, so it is more convenient to find time to work.
Final Remarks
Overall, my experience working for the UC Berkeley IT organization has been incredibly positive. It has allowed me to gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and make meaningful connections with professionals in the technology industry. I, along with other fellow student colleagues, would highly recommend this opportunity to any student who is interested in pursuing a career in technology or is simply interested in learning new skills and meeting amazing individuals!
My experience is just a glimpse of what Berkeley IT has to offer for students. There is a whole range of student employment opportunities, each with its own set of requirements and responsibilities, available and growing! Here are descriptions of what some of the teams do:
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IT Client Services (ITCS): Students working under ITCS are responsible for providing technical assistance to faculty and staff members of UC Berkeley both remotely and in-person. They troubleshoot problems with hardware and software, escalate issues as needed, and maintain accurate records of their interactions.
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Student Affairs Information Technology (SAIT): Students working under SAIT and are responsible for providing technical assistance to other students of UC Berkeley. They also troubleshoot problems with hardware and software, escalate issues as needed, and maintain accurate records of their interactions.
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Communications: Students interested in marketing and public relations can work on this team to help increase visibility and access to news and updates regarding technology across campus. They make use of tools such as website management, social media, graphic design, and media writing to promote events and news.
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Provisioning and Procurement (P&P): Students working under P&P ensure that technology devices are properly configured and safely delivered to faculty and staff members on campus. They make sure that devices are received ready to use on time, so that education on campus can be provided seamlessly.
In addition to these teams that have already been employing and working alongside students, Amanda Bent, One IT Student Leadership Specialist, stated that, “Career staff see a lot of value in working with students. There is a lot of interest across campus for folks who have not yet hired students or had a student team and there are quite a few teams looking to now hire student employees.”
With the growing interest in student employment, Bent’s new role as Student Leadership Specialist has become crucial in helping full time staff within the One IT community connect and work with more students. Bent emphasized the importance of one of her goals to “design jobs that are accessible and equitable to students coming from different backgrounds.” She also hopes to “increase engagement and community building for students across ONE IT” by fostering a “community of practice where students can actively connect with each other and with other career staff to share and voice their thoughts and opinions about the student employee experience.” With these remarks, the Berkeley IT community can look forward to increasing student engagement and strengthening the relationship with students on campus!