Becoming a Peer Advisor

Learn the benefits of becoming a Peer Advisor and why you should apply directly from our current PA team!

What are the benefits of becoming a Peer Advisor?

As a member of the Peer Advising Program, students will gain a multitude of essential skills while also becoming trained in the most up-to-date methods of job searching, all of which will help them take meaningful steps towards their future aspirations. The program has been strategically designed to help peers attain a set of well-defined core competencies through training, daily responsibilities and professional development initiatives overseen by well-trained, accessible staff members.

PA Competencies

Some of the competencies that students can expect to build are:

Communication: Heightened communication skills developed while effectively conducting one-on-one advising sessions with students, writing professional and organized notes and emails, facilitating workshops and in-class presentations and running marketing and engagement initiatives

Teamwork and collaboration: Strong collaborative abilities gained by working in a team environment to plan and coordinate engagement activities and regularly debriefing with staff and fellow peers to refine the Peer Advising Program

Critical thinking and problem solving: An ability to assess an individual’s needs, define measurable goals and create action plans using enhanced problem solving skills while developing their own personal advising style

Professionalism and work ethic: A greater degree of professionalism fostered by utilizing time-management to balance assigned tasks, meetings, and activities, interacting with students and co-workers in a positive and respectful way and successfully organizing and implementing events

Career management: Personal career management techniques honed through training and experience assisting others with their career development needs

In addition, ongoing professional development activities focused on career navigation and employability will be an integral part of the regular Peer Development Meetings, allowing PAs to continue developing their personal career plan with support of professional staff.

This is a paid position and is also eligible for recognition on the University of Windsor’s Co-Curricular Transcript.

What does it take to be one of our Peer Advisors?

Commitment:

  • Hours: 8-10 hours per week (including weekly/biweekly Peer Development Meetings) throughout Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 academic terms.
  • Peer Development Meetings: Come together as a team with professional staff and other PAs to gain advice, discuss current career topics, address challenges, review upcoming events and collaborate on new initiatives. Meetings to be held weekly at the beginning of the program and then will transition to bi-weekly after PA team is successfully on-boarded.
  • Ongoing Peer Training and Shadowing: Career staff will continually help you develop your coaching skills and understanding of career related topics through mentoring sessions, job shadowing and planned professional development activities.

Key Manditory Training Dates:

  • Peer Advising Jumpstart - Friday, April 20th, 2018 (mandatory – full day): Get your peer advising skills off the ground at this interactive, full-day workshop.
  • Peer Training Welcome Week - Monday, August 27th - Friday, August 31st, 2018 (manditory): Kick-off the 2018/19 Peer Advising Program by shadowing profession career development staff members and engaging in hands-on activities to enhance your career coaching skills.

Expectations:

As a department that seeks to support all students on campus and offer a welcoming space for those we serve, we ask that all of our peers mirror this vision by acting as strong, positive role models in the campus community. “The PEERS Model” acts as a reminder of our values and the expectations we have for our student ambassadors while also demonstrating our commitment to the university community.

Required Qualifications:

  • Completion of at least one academic year at the University of Windsor
  • Excellent written communication skills necessary to provide feedback for resume and cover letter critiques
  • Strong oral communication, presentation and active listening skills
  • Ability to provide assistance to others as demonstrated through leadership experience
  • Strong organizational and time management abilities
  • Enthusiasm and a willingness to engage other students, using strong interpersonal skills
  • Ability to act with tact and professionalism
  • Prior experience and/or familiarity with programs, resources and services offered by CDEL and other student supports on campus considered an asset
  • Prior experience in a student leader, mentor, teaching assistant or peer support role considered an asset

Think you’d make a great addition to our team of PAs?

Applications Open: Friday, February 16th.

Application Deadline: Sunday, March 11th, 2018

Students who are interested in this positions are to apply via mySuccess (Job ID # 52012) - please submit a:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Document responding to the following 3 questions:
    • Why do you want to become and Career Peer Advisor and what do you hope to gain from this experience?
    • What experiences or strengths do you have that make you a strong candidate for the Career Peer Advisor role?
    • What other commitments (leadership position, on-campus employment, off-campus employment, internship, etc.) do you have planned for the Fall 2018/Winter 2019 academic year?

Please note: To be hired as a PA, you must be able to commit to attending both the full-day Peer Advising Jumpstart on Friday, April 20th, 2018 and Peer Training Welcome Week from Monday, August 27th - Friday, August 31st, 2018.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this role; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.