On-campus student employment can offer more than a paycheck – it can also create mentorship, learning and career connections. Uday Sanem’s on-campus job and mentorship from supervisor Chris Hoffmann played a key role in helping him secure a job offer ahead of his December 2025 graduation.
Sanem worked with Hoffmann, a Local 601 steamfitter in University Housing, for 18 months, working with the heating and cooling systems in residence halls, which uses Metasys software, a Johnson Controls product. Every day brought new challenges and hands-on learning, providing Sanem with technical knowledge, time management skills and insight into how large organizations work.
Working on campus provided Sanem, an Information Technology Management master’s student, with a supportive environment in which to learn, ask questions and make mistakes.
“You’re seeing the inner workings that people don’t tend to see. And if it’s not seen, it’s out of mind,” Hoffmann said.
Growing into leadership role
With his ambition and willingness to learn, Sanem moved to a leadership role, overseeing other student workers, and was the workplace leader when Hoffmann was out. Safety is crucial in this line of work, and Hoffmann trusted Sanem implicitly.
“I have to have someone I can trust, and I’m so pleased that I have Uday,” Hoffmann said.
Hoffmann’s management approach provided Sanem with more than he expected to gain from working on campus. Hoffmann emphasizes patience, trust, communication and encouragement in the workplace. He has also participated in Supervisor Network events and workshops, which are led by Susi Gomez Kennedy, Center for Student Experience and Talent.
Both Hoffmann and Sanem benefited from the on-campus employment experience, which fosters professional relationships, strong work ethic and cultural understanding. As an international student from India, Sanem got to know American culture, while Hoffmann got to know Hindu culture.
“Working on-campus helps students learn the work ethics and how to manage tasks that adults do every day that we don’t think about,” Hoffmann said.
Experience and connections
Hoffmann was a key player in Sanem securing a job before graduation. Hoffmann connected Sanem to a friend at Johnson Controls, and Sanem took it from there. His work experience with Metasys systems on campus and Hoffmann’s mentorship helped prepare Sanem for this next step in his career as an HVAC controls technician at Johnson Controls.
“When I started my master’s in (the) Information Technology Management program, I didn’t think I’d be doing this. But it is using IT systems in the business, and I never would have experienced this if it wasn’t for working on campus,” Sanem said.
The mentorship turned into a friendship. “He (Chris) takes care of me. He makes sure I’m eating properly, taking breaks, and outside of work we’ve become close,” Sanem said about his relationship with Hoffmann.
For his graduation, Hoffmann and his wife took the place of Sanem’s parents, who are unable to make it, and celebrated his accomplishment with him.
Even though Sanem will be missed on campus, Hoffmann says, “This is the best part, watching them become professionals and see(ing) all the great work he’ll do. And I know we’ll stay in touch.”
More than a job, his work alongside Hoffmann became a foundation for professional growth, meaningful connection and a successful next step beyond graduation.
