Student Worker, Research Assistant (2025/26)

DescriptionTaft Junior College was established on August 30, 1922 as part of the Taft Union High School District. Classes were first held on the high school campus. The school title officially became Taft College on July 1, 1954, and in September of 1956 a separate campus opened in the current location at 29 Cougar Court adjacent to the high school. The West Kern Community College District was later formed, and is a single-college-district under the guidance of a five-member Board of Trustees. With strong leadership, Taft College offers a robust academic program for its students, and is one of the finest small colleges around!Work Study Responsibilities:Collect, clean, and organize institutional data (student, enrollment, retention, success, demographics, equity)Conduct qualitative research through student surveys, interviews, and focus groupsApply quantitative methods and statistical tools to explore trends and patternsAssist in building predictive models to forecast enrollment and identify students who may benefit from targeted support student populationCreate dashboards, charts, and reports to communicate findings clearly and effectivelyIdentify equity gaps and help evaluate the effectiveness of student support programsPresent research findings to stakeholders and the Institutional Research professional conference in accessible and actionable formatsRequirementsCurrently enrolled in a minimum of 6 units.Must remain enrolled and in good standing during employment.Good academic standing, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, but Students with strong interest and relevant skills are encouraged to apply, even with a slightly lower GPA.Interest in research, education, or data, with prior research experience required (coursework or class projects acceptable).Proficiency with Excel (data cleaning, pivot tables, charts).Understanding of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.Experience (or willingness to learn) in conducting Surveys, focus groups, or interviews.Willingness to learn new tools and research methods (training will be provided).Strong attention to detail and ability to stay organized.Clear communication skills - both written and verbal (the final project is required to be presented at the state Professional conference).Ability to work independently and follow through on tasks.

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