Civic Student Mentor

North Central College; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

North Central College is seeking Civic Mentors to assist Freedom Scholars in guiding high school students through the college application process and readiness activities across fall and spring sessions. Mentors will support teams of 4–7 Scholars and their parents, participating in monthly workshops on FAFSA, college selection, essays, and readiness skills.

Ideal candidates are NCC students with strong communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities, and a demonstrated interest in civic

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a student at North Central College.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and writing/editing abilities.
• Proven ability to present complex ideas clearly, in written and oral form.
• Rising sophomore, junior or senior with B+ average in CARD 101 and CARD 102.
• Demonstrated interest in civic or political issues.
• Experience organizing or leading others.
• Able to work collaboratively with students, staff, and faculty.
• Familiarity with the college application process, esp. for first-generation or underrepresented students.

Responsibilities

• Help Scholars understand the college application process and complete readiness activities.
• Guide Scholars and parents through workshops on financial aid, essays, and college selection.
• Coordinate five monthly workshops on applications and readiness topics.
• Check in monthly with Scholar teams and track progress using a College Checklist.
• Support Scholars during fall and spring sessions and during summer seminars if applicable.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Writing & editing

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Civic interest

Education

Enrollment at North Central College

Job description

Description of Job Duties

The Civic Humanities Project (hereafter CHP ) will employ 3 NCC students (from any major) to serve as Civic Mentors for the Fall and Spring sessions of the 2022-23 Freedom Scholars’ cohort.

Civic Mentors for the Civic Humanities Project will support rising high school seniors, aka Freedom Scholars, from across Chicagoland by guiding their college application process and working with them to complete college readiness activities and a civic engagement project during a year-long program of three parts:

• 1. a three-week residential program of great book seminars on human nature and government;
• 2. a fall semester of workshops devoted to completing applications and preparing for college life;
• 3. a spring semester of civic engagement.

Academic and Residential Mentors who serve during the summer seminars will be given preference for positions as Civic Mentors. Applicants for the position of Civic Mentor not previously engaged as Residential or Academic Mentors are encouraged nonetheless to familiarize themselves as far as possible with the academic and social activities of the summer seminars.

In the Fall semester, in partnership with the CHP faculty and staff, Civic Mentors will be responsible for helping a team of 4 – 7 Freedom Scholars (hereafter Scholars) and their parents understand the college application process and for helping guide Scholars and parents navigate that process through the fall and spring semesters. Civic Mentors will participate in five monthly workshops (help on Saturday morning and afternoons between 10 am and 2 pm) on topics related to college applications and readiness, including:

• How to understand and prepare a FAFSA form and financial aid applications, including scholarship opportunities, and generally how to finance college;
• How to prepare for the college application process, including preparing a strong personal essay and (if required) supplemental essays,
• How to choose colleges and to understand the opportunities of different institutions of higher ed (including 2-year degree programs, liberal arts colleges, comprehensive colleges and state and private universities);
• Strategies for staying healthy and thriving under the pressures of college work, including strategies for juggling school and work, how to deal with “imposter syndrome” and how to establish strong relationships with faculty and other potential mentors;
• Understanding the relationship of college to future careers; understanding the relationship between majors, minors and career and life goals; understanding and making the most of extracurricular opportunities such as athletics, clubs, research, grants, internships, study abroad and summer positions.

Civic Mentors will check in monthly with each Scholar in their team and track their progress on a College Checklist.

Do the job duties for this position include any driving requirements?

Do the job duties for this position include any driving requirements? No

Job Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a student at North Central College
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, as well as writing and editing skills
• Demonstrating proficiency in presenting and communicating complex ideas in both written and oral forms
• Must be a rising college sophomore, junior or senior who has received a B+ or better average in CARD 101 and CARD 102
• Demonstrated interest in civic or political issues
• Experience organizing or leading others
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, staff, and faculty
• Familiarity with college application process and college readiness skills, particularly for students who are first-generation college-goers, from low-income families or families of historically marginalized groups

Will this position be working with minors?

Yes

Approximate number of work hours per week

30

EEO Statement

North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NCC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources at 630-637-5757 or [e-mail]

Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Open Date

08/14/2023

Close Date

Open Until Filled No

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• What kind of experiences are you hoping to have with the Freedom Scholars? Have you ever been in an authority position with people close to you in age? (Open Ended Question)
• Describe a time when you’ve been challenged. How did you address the situation? How have you managed that relationship? (Open Ended Question)
• How do you want your students to think of you (how would you want them to describe you)? What actions could you take and what behaviors could you practice that would ensure your students see you as ______? (Open Ended Question)