Part-Time Undergraduate Social Media Assistant

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering seeks an undergraduate student to manage and grow its Instagram presence. The role offers hands-on experience in social media strategy, photography, video production, and storytelling to showcase people, programs, research, and activities within the department.

Compensation starts at $15 per hour with approximately 6-8 hours per week, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 commitments.

Qualifications

• Strong written and visual communication skills.
• Experience with photography, video editing, graphic design, or social media content creation.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage a regular posting schedule.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a social media content calendar.
• Create engaging Instagram posts, stories, and short-form videos.
• Highlight student experiences, faculty achievements, research, courses, alumni, and department events.
• Attend selected events to take photographs and videos.
• Draft captions and prepare content for department review.
• Monitor account activity and respond or refer questions as appropriate.
• Track basic engagement metrics and recommend ways to improve the account’s reach and effectiveness.
• Ensure that content is professional, inclusive, accurate, and consistent with Penn State and College of Engineering communication standards.

Skills

Written communication

Visual communication

Instagram familiarity

Photography

Video editing

Graphic design

Social media content creation

Independent work

Deadline management

Tools

Canva

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering is seeking an undergraduate student to help manage and develop the department's Instagram account. This position is an opportunity to gain experience in social media strategy, digital communication, photography, video production, and storytelling while helping showcase the people, programs, research, and activities of the department.

Compensation: starts at $15 per hour

Expected Commitment: Approximately 6-8 hours per week, with occasional additional hours for major events

Appointment Period: Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a social media content calendar.
• Create engaging Instagram posts, stories, and short-form videos.
• Highlight student experiences, faculty achievements, research, courses, alumni, and department events.
• Attend selected events to take photographs and videos.
• Draft captions and prepare content for department review.
• Monitor account activity and respond or refer questions as appropriate.
• Track basic engagement metrics and recommend ways to improve the account’s reach and effectiveness.
• Ensure that content is professional, inclusive, accurate, and consistent with Penn State and College of Engineering communication standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong written and visual communication skills.
• Familiarity with Instagram, including posts, stories, reels, and basic analytics.
• Experience with photography, video editing, graphic design, or social media content creation.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage a regular posting schedule.
• Good judgment regarding professional communication, privacy, and appropriate online content.
• Interest in architectural engineering, engineering education, student life, or departmental communications.
• Familiarity with tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar platforms is desirable but not required.

Application Materials

• A brief statement describing their interest in the position.
• A résumé.
• Two or three examples of relevant work, such as social media posts, photographs, graphics, videos, or other communication materials.
• A short sample Instagram post or reel concept promoting the Department of Architectural Engineering.
• Their anticipated weekly availability.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging.

We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Values

There's a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world's universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it's the positive impact made on communities across the world.

Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission.

And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities.

At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement.

Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State.

Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community.

We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.