Earn Learn Apprenticeship (ELA)

The Earn-Learn Apprenticeship Program in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU-Boulder provides financial support for engineering students while they work part-time within the college. The position includes non-research activities that both further your education and serve the needs of the Mortenson Center. Earn-Learn apprentices are paid a competitive hourly wage and fulfill the Service Learning requirement for students pursuing the Active Learning award. You will work and have the opportunity to network in a professional environment while enjoying the convenience and flexibility of a part-time job that fits with your academic schedule.

The Earn/Learn positions with the Mortenson Center range in responsibilities from course support, research project support (e.g., data cleaning, translation) and administrative support . A minimum academic year commitment is preferred. Maximum of 10 hrs/week at $17 - $20 per hour. 

Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA)

Undergraduate engineering students in the apprenticeship program earn hourly wages while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the DLA program. Positions are announced in late March, and applications are accepted through the end of April for apprenticeships during the following academic year. You may work up to 300 hours in these positions over the course of the academic year (average of 10/hrs per week over 30 weeks in the academic year). Pay is $17/hour. There are several mandatory seminars and all DLA students present a Power Point presentation in the spring as a culmination of their work. The top presenters then move on to present a poster at the annual DLA symposium each April. View projects and apply.

Other Positions

Each semester, the Mortenson Center seeks student employees in the areas of faculty support or program administration. These student hourly roles are filled on an as-needed basis each semester. Have questions or need help on student employment opportunities or eligibility? You can view the CU Student Employment FAQs.

Student Graders

Assist faculty members in their course with responsibilities such as:

  • Grading written reflections, tests or term papers
  • Responding to student questions and inquiries about course content and materials
  • Assisting the instructor with course content management and organization on Canvas
  • Researching data and materials for the course
  • Assisting the instructor with team project management and organization

Pay range: $17 - $20 per hour

  • New employees assisting with an undergraduate course start at $17/hour.
    • Starting rate may be higher if the student has unique skills, qualifications and/or experience.
    • Pay rate may increase after the first semester, depending on the student’s performance and length of employment.
  • New employees assisting with a graduate course start at $17/hour.
    • Starting rate may be higher if the student has unique skills, qualifications and/or experience.
    • Pay rate may increase after the first semester, depending on the student’s performance and length of employment.

Student Assistants

Undergraduate and graduate student assistant opportunities are available within in the Mortenson Center for administrative and research work such as:

  • Assisting faculty and graduate students with research projects - either laboratory or desk-based

  • Supporting Global Engineering RAP administration and programming

Pay range: $17 - $30 per hour

  • Starting pay rate depends on student’s skills, qualifications and experience in the respective area.
  • Pay rate may increase after the first semester is possible dependent upon the student’s performance and length of employment.

Student hourly positions are not permanent employees and hired on a semester-by-semester basis. This position is eligible for employee sick leave earned monthly on a prorated basis. The Mortenson Center does not provide internships.

For more information on other student employment opportunities on campus, visit the Student Employment Office website.