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Become a Peer Learning Consultant

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This is a high impact, high-commitment role at Stanford. Please read the entire description of the role and its expectations before applying.


Graduate and professional students are invited to apply to work as either Graduate or Engineering Learning Consultants (PLCs). As a PLC, consultants develop and present new workshop, studio, and community education programming to both undergraduate and graduate students. PLC's start at $28/hour and are expected to work 5 hours per week with opportunities to add more hours after one quarter of service. 

Work as a PLC is highly varied, and requires comfort presenting to groups large and small, virtually and live. Much of our content focuses on connecting students with academic skills designed to improve their studies and enhance their learning. One way to conceptualize academic skills is metaphorically: if course content comprises the building blocks of an education, academic skills comprise the cement holding them together. If you are a graduate or professional student who is passionate about helping others learn and develop their academic skill sets, this position may be a great fit for you.

The Center for Teaching and Learning receives many applications for these positions, and hiring is extremely competitive with only 2–5% of applicants receiving offers. Successful applicants will have a clear sense of what academic skills are, a passion for helping others learn, innovative ideas to bring to the group, diverse experiences in educational positions, and strong presentation and teaching skills. The most successful applicants will be motivated self-starters who can and will prioritize this work and the commitment they make to the program, their peers, and the educational community at large.

Students who seek a challenging but rewarding position that provides opportunities for growth are encouraged to apply. 


Time Commitment

The hours of a PLC vary over the course of their training in the program. As new PLC’s, hours will hover between 3-5 per week. As a PLC gains more experience, they can expect an uptick in work closer to 5-8 hours per week. PLCs will be expected to determine how best to balance and prioritize this work in addition to their research and academic responsibilities. While 3-8 hours of work a week may not sound like very much, we encourage you to consider whether you have the time before applying. Adding 5-8 hours a week to a busy academic schedule can be quite demanding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider whether they can consistently commit this time before applying.

To this end, first year graduate and professional students are not often hired as PLCs.


What we do as PLCs

  • Educate peers about the art of how to learn effectively and efficiently
  • Brainstorm and develop new workshop topics, presentation, and connection formats, and learning techniques for undergraduate and graduate students
  • Develop new workshops and learning platforms for students
  • Provide academic skill-related events, including Study Halls (both live and virtual) and Grad Studios
  • Incorporate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic skills programming

Additionally, a smaller subset of successful PLCs will be invited to apply to become Academic Skills Coaches. If selected, they will be expected to actively participate in a rigorous training program. Please note that coaching is not an inherent part of PLC work; PLCs are not coaches, and are not expected to apply to coach. However, to be considered for coaching work, one must already be a trained PLC. Of those PLCs who do choose to apply to be coaches, not all will be accepted.


Skills we seek

  • Exceptional presentation skills (over Zoom and in person)
  • Ability to manage your own time and projects with guidance but minimal structure
  • Excellent communication skills, including over Slack and email
  • A desire to learn and grow in your ability to develop and deliver academic skills content
  • Effectively giving and responding to constructive feedback
  • Passion for supporting undergraduate and graduate students
  • Interest in taking the initiative to develop novel content and lead programming
  • Ability to work on a dynamic team in which changes occur throughout the year
  • Creative ability to independently come up with programming ideas to implement
  • Understanding of diverse communities on campus (including through your own personal experiences as a diverse applicant)

Some of the Educational and Professional Benefits include:

  • Enhancing Academic Skill Knowledge
  • Improving Professional Skillset
  • Expanding Professional Training
  • Honing Leadership Skills
  • Fostering New Relationships with Peers, Campus Partners, Administrators, Faculty & Staff
  • Developing Amazing Teaching & Presentation Skills
  • Establishing Your Own Schedule
  • Designing Your Own Educational Programming
  • Implementing Student Skill Development Opportunities
  • Making a Difference in the Education of Other Students!

Application Process

  1. Application: Complete the online application (which includes submitting a brief statement and CV/resume) for the Learning Consultant position that most interests you.
  2. Finalist Interviews: Qualified candidates will be contacted to participate in an one hour interview with the Associate Director, current Peer Learning Consultants and other stakeholders.
  3. Admission: All candidates will be informed about a decision no later than two weeks after the interview. Successful candidates will be given 48 hours to accept the offer. Please note that the turnaround time between admission and onboarding is relatively short.

Graduate Learning Consultant Applications

Graduate Learning Consultants are graduate and professional students who work with all Stanford students. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Undergraduate students interested in becoming a Learning Consultant can explore opportunities with the Peer Learning Consultant Program here.

Application Requirements

  • Must be a currently enrolled co-term, masters, doctoral, or professional student
  • Must be legally eligible to work in the United States
  • Co-term and masters students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA overall; graduate and professional students must be in good standing with their department/program
  • Must have a strong commitment to helping peers learn
  • Must possess outstanding interpersonal skills, time management skills, and attention to detail

Apply to be a Graduate Learning Consultant


Engineering Learning Consultant Applications

Through a joint partnership with the School of Engineering's Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, (EII) the Center for Teaching and Learning hires Engineering Learning Consultants to primarily work with Stanford graduate students in the School of Engineering. Engineering Learning Consultants promote equity and inclusion in Engineering learning spaces and are current doctoral students in the School of Engineering. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Application Requirements

  • Must be a currently enrolled Stanford doctoral student in the School of Engineering
  • Must be legally eligible to work in the United States
  • Must be in good standing with their department/program
  • Must have a strong commitment to helping peers learn
  • Must have a strong commitment to advancing a culture of accessibility, respect, inclusion and empowerment
  • Must possess outstanding interpersonal skills, time management skills, and attention to detail

Apply to be an Engineering Learning Consultant


Support the Peer Learning Consultant Program

Program Coordinators are Stanford undergraduate students who support the Peer Learning Consultant Program. They are responsible for managing the logistics for academic programming, events, workshops, and peer coaching sessions.  Only active Stanford undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Graduate students, professional students and co-term students are not eligible. 

Learn More About Supporting the PLC Program