Your gift makes a difference
Student employment is a powerful tool: It provides students with mentorship and hands‑on learning experiences that last long after graduation. This creates many opportunities for professional development and building confidence as students prepare for life beyond Berkeley.
Every year, more than 3,200 students use campus employment positions to earn over $10.6 million to fund their educational expenses. Their talent and energy make Berkeley shine every day, and your gift makes their success possible.
Student perspectives
Lauren Holland
Majors: Molecular Environmental Biology, Ecosystem Management & Forestry
Class of 2025
“I was accepted to join the Koskella Lab under a URAP project. However, at the time I faced the difficult decision of pursuing research that aligned with my career goals and working so that I could afford to live in the Bay and continue going to school. We were able to utilize RASE (formerly LAEP) as a resource that allowed me the opportunity to support myself while doing something I was passionate about at the same time. RASE provides underprivileged students the same abilities as other students, who do not need to work to survive, to pursue their goals, develop mentorship, and gain useful skills.”
Ayah Aldajani
Majors: Psychology, Social Welfare, Education (minor)
Class of 2025
“The program significantly impacted my goals after graduation by giving me the opportunity to engage in research. Before RASE (formerly LAEP), I was working full-time to afford basic necessities, which made it difficult to access these kinds of experiences. Through RASE, I was able to participate in research while being paid, which completely changed the opportunities available to me and the experience I could carry forward after graduation.
RASE made paid research positions accessible to me as an undergraduate. Through the program, I worked on a project in a language and cognitive development lab and was also able to secure a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which was another paid opportunity.
The mentorship I received through my RASE position played a crucial role in my growth. It gave me the guidance and support I needed to pursue graduate school, something I do not think would have been possible without this experience and funding. After graduation, I took a gap year and applied to graduate programs. I have now accepted a position in a school counseling program in San Francisco. This path would not have been possible without RASE, as it provided both the financial support and mentorship that shaped my trajectory.”