General Questions
What does the Admission Center do?
The USC Admission Center is the guest relations branch of the USC Office of Admission. We serve as the face and voice of the university for prospective students and their families, as well as alumni, school and youth groups, community-based organizations, and other guests at USC’s University Park Campus. Much of our work includes providing tours and giving presentations to showcase the best of USC.
What does a Student Ambassador do? Is it different from being a tour guide?
Student Ambassadors are paid USC Tour Guides who welcome and introduce guests to the university. Day-to-day responsibilities include giving tours of our University Park Campus in Los Angeles, engaging with guests and answering their questions, and other office tasks to support the operations of the USC Office of Admission. Shifts often include a combination of giving a campus tour and working in the office at the Admission Center.
Student Ambassadors practice skills ranging from customer service to public speaking in order to present expert information about everything our university has to offer. They are the chief liaisons between prospective students and families and the university. The work they do is essential and important—and fun, too!
What’s the difference between a Student Ambassador and a Tommy’s Tours VolunTour Leader? Can I apply to be both?
Both Student Ambassadors and Tommy’s Tours VolunTour Leaders perform crucial functions to support the efforts of the USC Office of Admission. Student Ambassadors are paid student workers who serve all types of campus guests. Tommy’s Tours VolunTour Leaders are trained volunteers who specialize in elementary and middle school group tours. Both teams work together to deliver an enjoyable and memorable experience for the thousands of guests who visit campus each year. You are welcome to apply to both programs.
Where is the Admission Center located?
We are on the second floor of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, Sample Hall, in Suite 202.
Is this job in-person, entirely remote or hybrid?
The Student Ambassador (Tour Guide) role is an in-person position with opportunities to provide limited virtual programming. Visit the Office of Admission’s Meet Us page for a list of our current program offerings.
I decided to apply because I wanted to gain more experience in talking and communicating with people. As a new student to USC, becoming a student ambassador was a great opportunity to not only help prospective students feel more comfortable with the school, but also to increase my own knowledge of the school and to become more comfortable in a new environment. I think it's important to not get overwhelmed. Don't stress out about writing the script or getting to know every other student ambassador as soon as you get hired. There's a lot of opportunities in the time that you're here, and it's important to take things at your own pace!
Application Process and Timeline
Student Ambassadors
What does the application process look like?
The application process consists of a written application, followed by an interview round for those selected to move forward. We take a holistic approach to hiring. We are not looking for specific GPAs or majors, but rather for students who are excited about USC and interested in sharing their story with others.
After I submit my written application, when will I find out if I’ve been invited to interview?
Shortly after submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming that we have received it. Then, once the application period has closed, a member of the Admission Center will contact you to let you know if you have been invited to an interview.
When will I know if I have been selected for this position?
The interview process will continue throughout the beginning of fall semester, and students will know if they have been accepted for this role by mid-October.
If I am selected to be a Student Ambassador, when will I begin work?
Training and work begin for new Student Ambassadors on October 27, 2023.
Where can I find more information about the role?
We strongly recommend that prospective applicants attend one of our Information Sessions to learn more about the role and application process. Attendance at our Information Sessions will be considered in the selection process. If you are not able to attend a session, please email our team at acjobs@usc.edu for access to a recording link.
For the most up-to-date information, we encourage you to follow us on Instagram: @usc_admcenter and @usctommystours.
Visit our Recruitment page to sign up for an Information Session.
I applied to the AC because I knew how much knowledge I would acquire from the job. As I always say, knowledge is empowerment. I am able to share the information I've learned to be a resource to so many prospective students that deserve to know absolutely everything about USC to ease their transition of finding home, whether that's a transfer or incoming freshman. Ultimately, seeing the joy in my guests as they indulge in my corny jokes or the information they've gathered to make a decision about their future reminds me of is a continuous reminder that I can take away some of the exhaustion and loneliness of the college application process by sharing my testimony and inspiring others to not underestimate their worth. Plus, I've become a personal advisor to my friends and myself which, in hindsight, was an added plus in applying to the AC!
Eligibility and Requirements
Student Ambassadors and VolunTour Leaders
Who is eligible to apply?
All currently enrolled undergraduate first-year students (freshmen), sophomores, juniors and seniors not in their final year of study are eligible to apply for the Student Ambassador and Tommy’s Tours VolunTour Leader positions.
Graduate students can also apply to be Tommy’s Tours VolunTour Leaders.
Can I still apply if I’m just starting at USC and don’t know much about the school?
Of course! Whether you have been at USC for less than a semester or for multiple years, we value the contributions that every ambassador brings to our team.
Our training process will teach you all the skills necessary to be a successful ambassador for the university, no matter how much (or little) you currently know about USC and its campus.
Does the Admission Center accept work-study students? Do I have to be on work-study to apply?
Yes, our office accepts work-study students, but you don’t have to be a work-study student to apply. All student workers must have acceptable I-9 documents at the time of hire.
How much does this position pay?
Student Ambassadors are paid $16.78 per hour, which is consistent with the minimum wage in Los Angeles. They are eligible for a $0.25 raise each year. The VolunTour Leader (VTL) position with Tommy’s Tours is an unpaid volunteer position.
I have other extracurriculars and classes that are pretty time-consuming. What is the time commitment for this role?
New Student Ambassadors must successfully complete a multi-month training program consisting of Friday afternoon training sessions, weekly staff meetings, shadow hours and passing a final tour approval. Although it varies based on the student, we anticipate new hires will spend 10 to 12 hours per week working during the training stage.
Student Ambassadors who have completed training are expected to:
- Attend weekly staff meetings on Wednesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 p.m.
- Be available for a minimum of 3 shifts per week that fall within the following shift blocks:
- 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)
- At minimum, work 2 shifts per week, not exceeding more than 20 hours per week (Wednesday to Thursday) across all positions on campus.
- Work at least four weekend days per year for retreats and undergraduate admission events.
- Newly hired Student Ambassadors are also required to work a minimum of 1 day during the 2024 spring break (March 11-15, 2024) and their first summer break in the position (summer 2024).
The time commitment for Tommy’s Tours VolunTours Leaders in their first semester consists of weekly one-hour training sessions on Monday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT. After completing training, general meetings occur every other Monday night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. VTLs are expected to sign up to lead one or two tours per month.
What is the training process for this role?
Newly hired Student Ambassadors will complete a 14-week training program during the 2023-2024 year that consists of working 10-12 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 on Saturday, February 11 to workshop skills and expectations with veteran Student Ambassadors.
- Working a Saturday shift for the Admitted Student Day Open House event in April (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).
The training process for Tommy’s Tours VolunTours Leaders consists of weekly one-hour training sessions on Monday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT. In addition to these meetings, each VTL can expect to spend an hour or two each week completing additional independent work writing and practicing their script.
