College Adviser

USC College Advising Corps (USC CAC) Advisers play a critical role in delivering high quality postsecondary advising to students within a high school setting. College Advisers assist students with their college searches, applications, financial aid, and enrollment. They also host presentations, workshops, and events focused on supporting postsecondary attainment. College Advisers carefully track student interactions and outcomes via our online student tracker to meet performance metrics and goals. As well, College Advisers are responsible for attending summer training, on-going professional development training, team meetings, and may be asked to work on other partnership projects. College Advisers report to the Program Director at USC and an on-site liaison at their assigned school.

College Advising is a full-time position (37.5 hours/week). The rate for this position is $22.00 per hour.

Please note that the adviser IS a USC employee, but will NOT work on the USC campus. The College Adviser’s primary work location will be a local high school. The high school campus will be in the greater Los Angeles area. (Potential areas include: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Compton, Lynwood, Paramount and various cities in the San Gabriel Valley).  

The College Adviser position is fixed term and limited to two years. Continuation for the second year is conditional, based upon performance in the first year and funding availability.

Hiring Windows

Traditional (summer)

We begin reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews in February. We typically continue interviewing candidates through June. If offered a position, a candidate can expect a start date in July alongside several other new hires starting the same day.

Year-round

While most advisers are hired at the beginning of summer, applications are reviewed, candidates interviewed and positions are filled throughout the year.

Overview

Launched in 2013, the University of Southern California College Advising Corps’ (USC CAC) has grown from 3 schools within one district to over 40 schools in more than 8 districts. This program is a partnership between the USC Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERPP) and the national College Advising Corps.

CERPP is an independent research center that is rooted in the belief that college admission, student financial aid and degree completion processes must become better informed, more expertly practiced and more equitable. CERPP analyzes salient enrollment issues through the critical perspectives of social science researchers, policymakers, education leaders and enrollment practitioners. The establishment of the USC CAC program grew from the center’s mission to foster greater equity and expertise in educational access, admissions and outcomes. 

Since 2013, USC CAC advisers have collectively provided college advising services to over 74,000 seniors. Our program works in high schools that have demonstrated need:

89% of students are underrepresented minorities (URM: Latinx, African American, American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander)

74% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

College Advisers work within a local high school to build a positive and inclusive college going culture on campus for all students. Their responsibilities include:

Assist students with college searches, applications, applying for financial aid for Community Colleges, 4-year Universities, private colleges and trade schools.

Organize workshops, presentations, and events that encourage students and their families to consider post-secondary education.

Establish productive and strategic relationships with counselors, teachers and administrators within the partner school.

Assist in the efforts of other college adviser(s) within the service area.

Document all student interactions on daily basis to assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program.

Prepare regular progress reports for USC program staff and school administration.

Participate in a 4-week paid training during the summer and ongoing professional development throughout the school year

Commit to one academic year (12 months) of service, with a preferred two-year commitment if mutually agreed upon by the program staff and the adviser.

Required Qualification:

Bachelor’s degree (College seniors may apply before graduation for the following school year.)

Preferred Qualifications:

Student program or services experience

Proven ability to organize and manage many tasks and projects simultaneously

Attention to detail and excellent quantitative and record-keeping skills

Flexibility, creativity, independence, accountability and passion

Experience working with diverse populations

Ability to speak Spanish, Armenian, or other language is a plus but not required

Application Instructions:

Please upload the following documents in the Resume/CV section found on the second screen of the application.

ResumeCover letter

If you have a question about your application, please email: usccac@usc.edu

The hourly rate for this position is $22.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 1 year Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience Minimum Skills: Administrative experience. Understanding of community outreach programs. Familiarity with relevant programs and applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite). Excellent written and oral communication skills. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree Preferred Experience: 2 years Preferred Skills: Demonstrated experience interacting with diverse groups, exercising diplomacy, good judgment and discretion. Familiarity with local community. Demonstrated experience with office management communication software and tools (e.g., Google suite, Slack, Skype) and social media management. Fluency in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Spanish, Korean).