YSSS Academic Counselor Position
The Young Scholars Senior Summit (YSSS) is a three-week summer program at the University of Connecticut for academically talented students enrolled in the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Young Scholars program. It has been designed to provide young people with opportunities to participate in creative projects and investigations under the supervision of university mentors. The YSSS Academic Counselors will be responsible for supervising and working with the rising senior high-school students while they attend mentorship sites.
The position relies heavily on strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of and willingness to help the participants learn about group dynamics and self-awareness. Counselors will assist mentors and program administrators in supporting the development of scholarly skills and attitudes necessary for high-level work on a university campus. Counselors will report to the YSSS Program Director and the Onsite Mentorship Coordinator. YSSS students will spend each weekday at mentorships sites, from about 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Counselors will be responsible for visiting students at their mentorship sites, eating lunch with the students, and meeting with them daily. Counselors will be expected to work 25 hours per week over the course of the 3 -weeks including the Academic Showcase on Friday, July 26, 2024.
YSSS Counselor Job Expectations
The following explains what is expected of YSSS Counselors. The Counselor plays an integral role in student learning through on-going individual and group/student contact.
Counselors will each be assigned to work with the students in 3-5 mentorship sites, usually having responsibility for 8-10 students. Counselors will visit their sites on a regular basis to observe the work the participants are conducting, participate themselves if the opportunity arises, and touch base with mentors about site activities and student progress. Every afternoon, counselors will be expected to meet with the participants from their assigned sites to discuss progress and activities.
Counselors will meet with the program coordinators each weekday typically at 1:00 pm.
Characteristics Duties and Responsibilities
1. Help to establish an educational community.
2. Assist and advise groups and individual students and act as a liaison between assigned mentors and program coordinators.
3. Attend special afternoon and evening events sponsored by the YSSS program (e.g., workshops, banquet, Academic Showcase).
4. Enforce the rules of the university.
5. Behave in a manner that will not have a detrimental effect upon the University or the program participants. Counselors must be positive role models for the participants.
6. Attend staff meetings 3-4 times weekly.
7. Be attentive to the personal well-being of the residents in such areas as safety, security, and emergency situations.
Minimum Qualifications
1. One year experience working in a classroom or experience working with young adults in an educational setting.
2. Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to establish good working relationships with individuals involved with YSSS program.
3. Ability to resolve minor interpersonal conflicts.
4. Ability to work independently and regularly exercise judgement regarding well-being of student residents.
5. Good organizational skills.
6. Good written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Bachelor's Degree in a related area (e.g., education, social sciences, human relations).
2. Two to three years of classroom/counseling experience.
3. Previous experience working with teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17.
Appointment Terms
This is a temporary, 3-week, full-time position from July 8, 2024, to July 26, 2024, based on the Storrs campus. A stipend of $1,500 will be paid for 3 weeks of work and a dining card for lunch will be provided. Counselors will spend 2-3 hours/day visiting mentor sites; attend mandatory weekday staff meetings and meet with their assigned group daily. Attendance at a staff orientation on Friday, July 5, 2024, and for the residential orientation on Sunday, July 7, 2024 is mandatory.
If during employment, your actions regarding your responsibilities are deemed to be unprofessional or malicious, or your actions are deemed to put students, staff, or the program at risk, we reserve the right to terminate employment immediately.
If you are interested in applying, please submit your resume and the names and contact information for 3 references to Lisa Muller at lisa.muller@uconn.edu.
For more information, contact: Lisa Muller at lisa.muller@uconn.edu