Career Center

SA 1 (Amherst College) - June 19 to August 5  

SA 2 (University of Chicago) - June 26 to August 14 

*Virtual onboarding to take place mid-late May. Specific dates TBD.

Priority deadline: January 31, 2023

Final deadline: February 28, 2023

The Organization

At Thrive Scholars, our goal is to see talented economically disadvantaged BIPOC students develop inter-generational wealth and financial security, and become the diverse corporate, civic, and academic leaders our country so desperately needs.

Our comprehensive, data-driven, high-touch program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between just graduating from any college, and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Over our six-year program, Scholars benefit from admissions and intensive academic preparation before college and a comprehensive set of academic, personal, social-emotional, financial, and career supports throughout college.

The Program

As rising high-school seniors, and rising college first-years, students attend our six-week Summer Academy. At its core, Summer Academy (SA) is an academic boot camp where students learn the quantitative and writing skills they need to excel in college and in their preferred majors, with additional time devoted to personal and professional development topics. Summer Academy is a residential program held on the campuses of Amherst College and the University of Chicago. This year, we will serve 500+ students combined at both sites. 

The Position

Thrive Scholars seeks a team of Residential Program Assistants (PAs) for the 2023 Summer Academy programs to be hosted at Amherst College (rising High School Juniors and Seniors) and the University of Chicago (rising College First-years). With support from the Summer Academy Site Director and Assistant Site Directors, the PAs will be responsible for leading recreational programming, providing supervision of and support to Scholars, and supporting program logistics. The PAs will live among Scholars in a residence hall. The PA will serve as the Scholar’s main point of contact and community-builder for an assigned cohort of students. PAs will support Thrive Scholars Programming and workshops, provide classroom support when needed, plan community events, and serve as Residential Life staff. PAs will have the opportunity to develop and leverage skills in program design and leadership, youth development, and project management. 

Primary Responsibilities

Programming

• Shape Culture - Help shape a culture of welcome, inclusion, and affirmation among the Summer Academy community

• Event planning and implementation -  Plan and lead recreational and community-building events for students on evenings and weekends

• Support and facilitate activities focused on preparing Scholars for the college experience 

• Support with off-site field trips

• Assist Thrive Program Teams in running their programming; including summit days, off campus tours (corporate tours and college tours), and any other programs where additional support is needed  throughout the summer 

• Supporting with additional duties as assigned  

Student Supervision and Support

• Professional Boundaries - Maintain professional boundaries with Scholars and other Summer Staff 

• Safety and Supervision - Be responsible for the safety and supervision of Scholars throughout Summer Academy; including continuously monitor individual student safety and well-being, and elevating concerns immediately to the Assistant Site Directors (ADs)

• Ensure that students abide by the Summer Academy Code of Conduct, and communicate any infractions to the ADs

Administration

• Communicate and Collaboration - consistently and promptly communicate with ADs and summer staff, share updates, and collaborate through meetings, email, and other methods of communication

• Provide logistical support to the Site Director and ADs, including, but not limited to, managing and ordering supplies and communicating any program updates/schedule changes to Scholars

Residential 

• Norms and Policies - Upholding Summer Academy norms and policies in and around common spaces such as dorms, dining hall, and all campus facilities 

• Rounds - Conduct morning and evening rounds throughout the dorm to make sure Scholars are accounted for at all times

• Assist with the mail collection and distribution process

• Maintaining laundry process flow for assigned dorm 

• Managing program supplies and inventory 

Commitment

PAs will have 6 days off during the program. To ensure appropriate coverage, a daily shift schedule and time off will be assigned by the SA Manager and Site Director upon arrival at the Summer Academy site.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience working in a residential setting (for example, college resident advisor or summer camp experience)

• Professional attitude,  ability to maintain effective professional boundaries, discretion and able to manage sensitive or confidential student information

• Alumnus of a college access or success program

• Passion for and experience in working with a diverse, underserved community of high school and rising college Scholars

• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with high school and college students

• High level of dependability and a strong commitment to ensuring the health and safety of participants at all times

• High level of adaptability  

• High level of enthusiasm and ability to work in a high-energy environment

• CPR and First Aid certification, preferred

• College Class of 2024 and above, preferred

Compensation

• PAs will be paid $5,000 for the summer (distributed in equal payments during summer)

• Room and Board  will be provided, and covered, by Thrive Scholars

• Reimbursement up to $350 will be provided for travel for eligible candidates

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement:

Thrive has instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees, including remote staff. Individuals selected for job opportunities must be fully vaccinated and up to date, and show proof of vaccination status, in advance of your hire date. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their second dose in a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).  A person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they are fully vaccinated and have received one booster when eligible.  Guidelines on booster eligibility are available on the CDC website.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs, Thrive will consider requests for reasonable accommodations consistent with our policy, and where we are able to provide such accommodations without undue hardship to the organization pursuant to?applicable law. Any such accommodation must be approved in advance of the hire date.

Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Knowing its importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. We appreciate your time and will review and respond to all applications received.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

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About Thrive Scholars

The mission of Thrive Scholars is to help high-achieving, low-income underrepresented students get into and graduate from top colleges equipped to achieve their full career potential.

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