Become a Peer Academic Coach
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 a Peer Learning Consultant in the Peer Academic Coaching division. As a Peer Academic Coach, consultants work individually with Stanford undergraduate and graduate students to help them navigate academic challenges and goals. PLCs in this division start at $30/hour and are expected to work a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8 hours per week.
Division purpose
Peer Academic Coaches work one-on-one with Stanford students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) to help them identify and pursue goals related to learning and thriving academically at Stanford. Whether students need help with a specific academic skill or they're looking to build effective habits for the long term, Peer Academic Coaches provide guidance, accountability, and encouragement. Coaches support Stanford students with a variety of common academic concerns, including time management, goal setting, resilience, test preparation, reading and note-taking strategies, planning for long-term writing projects, finishing incomplete coursework, communicating with advisors, and more. Many students need and value Academic Coaching; this resource is consistently in high demand at Stanford. If you are passionate about supporting student learning and are excited to work one-on-one with other Stanford students to help them develop their academic skills and make progress toward their goals, consider applying!
"My coaching appointment was really great. I think it is very helpful to talk with someone who is a peer that might have experienced the same things I am going through. Talking with the coach made me reflect on past experiences that worked and might also work in my current situation." —Stanford student
What you’ll do
- Conduct in-person and online individual coaching sessions on a weekly basis with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to help them develop skills and knowledge to reach their academic goals.
- Assist with academic skills outreach efforts, which may include leading information sessions, facilitating workshops, partnering with departments and courses, and assisting with open houses and other tabling events.
- Attend a multi-session virtual summer training to develop coaching skills and knowledge about evidence-based learning strategies.
- Engage in professional development throughout the academic year, including observing other coaches and receiving feedback from peers and professional staff.
- Attend regular all-program meetings and meetings with your supervisor to reflect on your coaching approach, debrief coaching sessions, and learn about new resources and strategies.
- Contribute to CTL Student Learning Programs initiatives and cross-team collaborations within the PLC Program as needed.
Skills we seek
- Ability to manage your own time and projects with guidance but minimal structure
- Excellent communication skills, with students and with PLC staff over Slack and email
- A desire to listen actively and support students' self-awareness and growth
- Effectively giving and responding to constructive feedback
- Passion for supporting undergraduate and graduate students
- Ability to work on a dynamic team in which changes occur throughout the year
- Understanding the ways in which students' identities can influence their academic experiences, and an ability to work effectively with a diverse student population
Application process
- Application: Complete the online application (which includes submitting a brief statement and CV/resume).
- Finalist Interviews: Qualified candidates will be contacted to participate in a one hour interview with division leadership and current Peer Academic Coaches.
- Admission: All candidates will be informed about a decision no later than four 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.
Application requirements
- Must be a currently enrolled masters, doctoral, or professional student
- Must be legally eligible to work in the United States
- 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