Positions:

In order to welcome guests of all ages, the USC Admission Center recruits students for both paid and volunteer positions.

Paid Position

USC Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors are the face of the university. In this role, you will complete a 14-week training process (more information below) that will prepare you to:

  • Deliver 90-minute tours of campus to prospective students and their families, alumni, K-12 students and community-based organizations, and other visitors to the university.
  • Support admission counselors in providing admission presentations both in-person and virtually to school groups, providing information about the importance of college and what it takes to get there.
  • Share your knowledge, passion, and why you chose and continue to choose USC.
  • Interact with guests on the phone and via email to make tour reservations and answer questions about the university, student life and the admission process.
  • Gain invaluable experience working in a professional and friendly environment.
  • Write personalized thank-you notes for tour guests.
  • Work alongside professional staff and admission counselors to complete administrative tasks.

Eligibility

All currently enrolled undergraduate students (work-study and non-work-study) who are not in their final year of study are welcome to apply. No previous experience is necessary. Prior to leading any tours, Student Ambassadors receive extensive training over the course of the academic year.

Any students interested in working at the Admission Center must be enrolled at USC for the entirety of the 2023-24 academic year. Students who will be abroad or on leave from the university are ineligible to apply.

Additional eligibility requirements may be added and will be reflected in the 2023 Student Ambassador application.

Important Student Ambassador Considerations

Time Commitment
Training:

  • 14 weeks long (late October through mid- to late March).
  • Ten to twelve (10-12) hours/week.
    • Required Friday Training Sessions (2pm – 5pm)
    • Three (3) hours weekly of shadowing (shadow hour shifts) to be completed in the office between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., based on your schedule.
    • Three to four (3-4) hours weekly working on script writing, memorizing and practicing, based on your schedule.
    • Required weekly staff meetings on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Student Ambassadors in training are required to work a minimum of 1 day during the 2024 Spring Break (March 11-15, 2024).

After completing training:

  • Student Ambassadors will be expected to provide availability for a minimum of 3 shifts per week that fall within the following shift blocks (with the expectation to work a minimum of 2 shifts per week):
    • 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (2.5 hours)
    • 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (3 hours)
    • 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (3 hours)
  • Attend weekly staff meetings, Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (during academic year) 
  • Student workers may not work more than 20 hours per week (Wednesday to Thursday) across all student work positions on campus.
Training Information
Newly hired Student Ambassadors will complete a 14-week training program that consists of working 10 to 12 hours per week doing the following:

  • Attending Friday training sessions from 2 to 5 p.m.
  • Attending one, three-hour shift a week to observe tours and presentations, write scripts, and practice giving presentations and tours.
  • Writing a full 90-minute script approximately 20-30 pages in length (tentatively due by early-February) and memorizing it throughout the training process.
  • Staff a mandatory admission open house on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
  • Attending a mandatory Admission Center office retreat in February 2024 to workshop skills and expectations with veteran Student Ambassadors.
  • Working a weekend shift for the Explore USC Open House event in April 2024 (date TBD).
  • Passing weekly quizzes and a final approval tour that covers script content.
  • Student Ambassadors–in–training are required to work a minimum of 1 day during the 2024 spring break (March 10-17, 2024).
Availability Requirements
Due to year-round demand for campus tours, newly trained Ambassadors are required to work during their first summer break in the position. All Ambassadors must also work during academic year breaks, providing a minimum of six shifts total of availability across Fall, Veterans, Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks (four of the six shifts must be during winter or spring break).

 

Summer 2024
All new ambassadors will be required to work Monday–Friday, 40 hours/week from 8:30 AM – 5 PM during one of the following time blocks in summer 2024:

  • Summer Block A: May 19-June 15 (housing provided)
  • Summer Block B: June 16-July 13 (housing provided)
  • Summer Block C: July 14-August 11 (housing provided)
  • Summer Block D: August 12-23 (no housing provided, Student Ambassador must arrange their own housing)

Students who work Summer Block A, B or C will be provided housing at no cost on behalf of the Admission Center. Summer housing accommodations include shared rooms and apartments in USC apartment style housing. It does not include parking, dining, or access to recreation centers. Students will not be able to work other campus jobs during their Summer Block as they will be working the maximum allowable hours. It is also not advised to pursue external opportunities during the assigned Summer Block. Summer Block D does not include USC housing. Ambassadors assigned to Summer Block D will be responsible for their own housing accommodations.

Ability to meet all job requirements will be considered in the application process.
Pay Rate
Student Ambassadors are paid minimum wage ($16.78 per hour beginning July 1, 2023) and are eligible for annual raises of $0.25.

After a tour, I had a guest come up to me and say that my anecdote about transferring reassured them to apply to transfer to USC---their dream school. They were later accepted, decided to commit, and sent me a very nice message thanking me for sharing my experiences. Definitely the most rewarding part of this job! The training process is long, but the people you meet and the bonds you create make everything worth it.

Kiley Gilbride (she/her)

Volunteer Position

For those looking for a smaller commitment, USC VolunTour Leaders conduct tours through the Tommy’s Tours program. Volunteers will:

  • Give 50-minute, age-appropriate group tours to middle and elementary school students.
  • Share their journeys to and through college while inspiring younger students to pursue higher education.
  • Assist in hosting College Day(s) events for elementary and middle school students.
  • Develop professional skills through public speaking and interacting with guests.
  • Learn about other academic programs and campus organizations while making new friends.
  • Attend weekly/bi-weekly meetings and club events.
  • Live their dream of being a college tour guide!

Eligibility

All graduate and undergraduate students who are not in their final year of study are welcome to apply. No previous experience is necessary. Prior to leading any tours, volunteers will go through an eight-week training process.

To learn more, visit the Tommy’s Tours website.