Graduate With More Than a Degree.
At Blackburn College, work isn’t something you fit in between classes. It’s part of your education.
Nearly every student participates in Blackburn’s nationally recognized Work Program, where they combine classroom learning with approximately 10 hours of work each week in more than 100 campus positions across 12 departments. Along the way, students develop professional skills, take on increasing responsibility, and gain experience that becomes part of their resume long before graduation.
Participation in the Work Program reduces tuition by $8,000 each academic year, or $32,000 over four years, making a Blackburn education more affordable while giving students professional experience that employers value.
By graduation, Blackburn students have four years of professional experience on their resumes, giving them a distinct advantage as they begin their careers or continue their education.
10
Hours Worked Each Week
100+
Campus Jobs Across 12 Departments
#1
The Only Student-Managed Work College in the U.S.
What is the Blackburn Work Program?
The Blackburn Work Program is a distinctive part of the educational experience for every residential student.
Students work in academic departments, admissions, athletics, facilities, technology, dining services, marketing, student life, and dozens of other campus offices. Every position contributes to the College’s daily operations while giving students opportunities to develop professional skills that employers value.
Unlike federal work-study or regular off-campus jobs, the Work Program is designed to complement the classroom. Students develop professional habits, practical experience, workplace confidence, and leadership skills to pair with their academic knowledge.
By graduation, Blackburn students leave with more than a Bachelor’s degree. They have experience reflected on a resume built through four years of real work and responsibility.
Why does the Work Program Matter?
The Blackburn Work Program prepares students for more than graduation. Every work assignment is designed to complement the classroom by helping students build professional experience, contribute to the campus community, and reduce the cost of earning a degree.
Career
Employers consistently look for graduates who can communicate, solve problems, work on a team, and take initiative. The Work Program gives students regular opportunities to develop those skills through real responsibilities rather than simulations or classroom exercises.
Community
The Work Program is one of the reasons Blackburn feels different.
Every student has a role and contributes to the life of the College, whether welcoming visitors, maintaining campus grounds, supporting athletic events, assisting faculty, or managing fellow student employees. Because everyone has a role in keeping the College running, students develop a stronger sense of belonging, responsibility, and pride in the Blackburn community.
Shared responsibility fosters a campus culture in which students take ownership of their work, support one another, and contribute to the College’s success.
Cost
Participation in the Work Program provides every student with an $8,000 reduction in tuition each year they participate, or $32,000 over the course of a four-year degree. Combined with scholarships and financial aid, the Work Program helps make a Blackburn education more affordable while allowing students to gain valuable experience during college.
What Makes Blackburn Different?
Blackburn is the only student-managed Work College in the United States.
Student leadership extends well beyond individual campus jobs. Student General Managers and Department Managers help oversee the Work Program by interviewing applicants, coordinating schedules, mentoring coworkers, evaluating performance, and working alongside faculty and staff to keep the program running smoothly.
Those experiences give students opportunities to practice leadership while they’re still in college rather than waiting until their first full-time job.
How Does the Work Program Prepare Students for Their Careers?
Employers consistently look beyond grades alone. They want graduates who can communicate effectively, adapt to change, solve problems, work well with others, and demonstrate professionalism.
Through the Work Program, Blackburn students practice those skills every semester while contributing to the College’s daily operations.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies eight career competencies that employers consistently seek in college graduates. Blackburn students develop each of them through the Work Program.
- aCareer & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
These experiences complement classroom learning and help Blackburn graduates enter the workforce with confidence.
