Supervising Undergraduate Students

View or download the printable version of the Quick Guide to Supervising Undergraduate Students (PDF).

As a supervisor of student employees, you play a big role in developing and supporting them as they grow professionally, personally, socially, and academically. This quick guide outlines steps you can take to make the experience more meaningful for you and your student employee.

Why is it important?

Creating a supportive, positive work experience is critical in preparing the next generation of University of Minnesota graduates for the challenges and opportunities in their life beyond the U. This benefits:

• The student employee: Students will gain valuable professional and personal skills in their student employee roles.
• Your team/department: More engaged students do higher quality work and are less likely to turnover. Plus, they can help you understand the student audience.
• The University: A key purpose of the University is to educate and develop students. Equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and abilities they need is critical to the long-term health of the University.

How do I get started?

The employment life cycle of a student employee might be shorter than a full-time employee’s, but there are actions you can take to make their experience more meaningful, rich, and productive.