Important Information for First-Year Mentor Applicants Be sure to read all the following information carefully.

Transcription

1 OFFICE OF FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FIRST YEAR MENTOR APPLICATION 2016 Important Information for First-Year Mentor Applicants Be sure to read all the following information carefully. Application Requirements and Deadline Information DEADLINE: Applications (available online at personal resume and all references are due no later than Friday, March 18, 2016 at noon. Please print and deliver your completed application to 119 WPU. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. GPA REQUIREMENT: All applicants must have a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA by the end of the Fall 2015 semester and at the end of the Spring 2016 semester in order to continue employment if hired. Interview and Selection Timeline INTERVIEW: Applicant will sign up for interview time upon turning in application. Individual interviews will run from Monday, March 21- Friday, March 25, Applicants will interview with the First Year Experience staff and the Head First Year Mentor. NOTIFICATION: All applicants will be notified regarding their selection prior to the end of March. Applicants will be cleared both academically and judicially prior to an employment offer being made.

2 Office of First-Year Experience UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FIRST-YEAR MENTOR INFORMATION The Office of First Year Experience at the University of Pittsburgh seeks to provide programs and services for new students on campus. First Year Experience is housed in Student Life and is a collaborative effort between the offices of Residence Life, Commuter Student Programs and Transfer Student Programs. We are currently seeking to hire First Year Mentors for the academic year. First Year Mentors (FYMs) are enthusiastic students whose primary responsibilities are to engage first year and transfer students in Pitt s community. FYMs assist with planning and implementing summer programs such as PantherConnect Retreats, New and Transfer Student Orientation, Commuter Day, and Transfer Day. Throughout the school year, FYMs plan programs, assist with Student Life initiatives, assist with the Commuter Lounge and help get students connected to campus. Conditions of Employment Have a minimum QPA of 2.5 or better; Summer classes must not conflict with any PittStart Life on Campus sessions (Monday & Thursday from 1-7 p.m.); Plan to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student at Pitt for Fall 2016 & Spring 2017; Be in good disciplinary standing with the University; Must live in Pittsburgh during the entire summer (May-August); Be available to work at least 10 hours a week during the summer and 5 hours a week during the school year; Be available to participate in all of the required activities as outlined on the Commitments page; Comply with the University Student Code of Conduct and maintain the highest ethical and professional conduct at all times. Qualifications Possess a high energy level and strong commitment to the program; Have a positive attitude and enthusiasm for Pitt; Display an ability to empathize with students, parents and peers; Demonstrate an ability to work with groups of diverse individuals; Be flexible; Be a dedicated team player; Be reliable, responsible and accountable. Duties and Responsibilities Participate in and facilitate all Life on Campus sessions from May 2016 to August 2016; Serve as a resource person for all first-year and transfer students; Lead small discussion groups following the Life on Campus skits; Serve as a resource person at orientation, providing general assistance and answering questions; Lead small and large groups of new students in discussions and activities as necessary Direct and participate in one day and one night social program a month as part of the First-Year Success Series; Attend all bi-weekly FYM meetings; Assist with division-wide programs including the Career Fair, PMADD, Family Weekend, etc.; Participate in all required summer work activities such as Arrival Survival packing week and PantherConnect Retreats; Assist with planning & implementation of Orientation Week; Other duties as assigned. Remuneration During the summer session (May- August), FYMs will be paid $500/month stipend; During the school year (September-April), FYMs will be paid $100/month stipend; FYMs will also receive 2--$100 Panther Funds deposits in May and August; Housing and meals are not provided.

3 Save These Dates in 2016 First Year Mentor Interview Process & Work Commitments New First Year Mentor Interview Process Individual Interviews Monday, March 21- Friday, March 25 Final Selection & Notification Week of March 28 FYM Meetings Friday, April 8 (5-8PM) Friday, April 15 (5-6PM) FYM Trainings Retreat Monday, May 9 - Tuesday, May 10 Summer Training Wednesday, May 11 - Friday, May 20 FYE Summer Session & Pittstarts (1:00 7:00 p.m) Dates to be Determined Monday, June 6 Tuesday, August 16 New and Transfer Student Orientation 2016: Wednesday, August 17 Sunday, August 30 First-Year Experience Program: Monday, August 29, 2016 Friday, April 28, 2017 January 2017 Orientation: Monday, January 2, 2017 Friday, January 6, 2017

4 First-Year Mentor Application Checklist Prior to submitting your application, please be sure that you have all of the components completed. Use the checklist below to ensure your entire application is finished. All completed applications, including references, must be hand delivered to 119 WPU no later than Friday, March 18 th at noon. Part One: Campus Information & Questions Part Two: Authorization Part Three: Short Answer Question (typed on a separate sheet of paper) Part Four: References (please submit two) Part Five: Personal Resume (typed on a separate sheet of paper) Part Six: Student Conduct Disciplinary Clearance Form (separate document)

5 Part One Campus Information & Questions Name: Campus/School Address: Permanent Address: Address: Cell Phone: Current Class Year: Fr So Jr Sr Major(s) (if known) GPA as of 01/01/16: Are you a commuter student? Yes No Are you a College of General Studies student (CGS)? Yes No Are you a transfer student? Yes No If so, when did you transfer and from what school Will you be living on or off campus next year? On Off Do you have another campus job, in which you receive a paycheck from the University of Pittsburgh? Yes No If yes, where is your campus job? Supervisor Name and Phone: Where will you be living over the summer (Note: you need to be in the Pittsburgh area over the summer for this job)? Please specify known dates/weeks, if any, that you will be out of town or unavailable from April 2016 through September What organizations are you currently involved with at Pitt or in the Pittsburgh community?

6 Part Two Authorization I authorize, through my signature below, the FYM Selection Committee to obtain information relating to my academic records. I understand that university officials are collecting this data to help determine my suitability and eligibility for the First Year Mentor position. Signature: Date: Office Use Only Date Received: Signature of Office Staff

7 Part Three Short Answer Questions Answer all of the following questions. Please limit your responses to 150 words for each question. All answers must be typed on a separate sheet of paper. The committee is looking for well thought out and creative responses that are communicated with effective brevity. You may use lists, bullet points and outlines where appropriate. 1. Why do you want to be a First Year Mentor (FYM) and what do you hope to gain from this position? 2. Which experiences have you had at Pitt that have made you feel a part of the Pitt community? 3. Please explain your extracurricular involvement and leadership experiences on and off campus and what you have learned from those experiences. How will these help you as a First Year Mentor? 4. What are 5 things you learned during your first year in college that you would tell First Year Students in order to help them with their transition to college? 5. If you had an unlimited budget and no restrictions on what you could do, what one event would you plan for First Year Students? Please explain the event, what steps you would take to implement it, and how it will help new students in their transition to college. 6. Please detail your other academic, work, and extracurricular commitments for the summer and fall of 2016.

8 Part Four References Please provide two references and have them fill out the attached form. At least one reference should be a faculty, staff or a current supervisor. Your other reference can be an advisor or past supervisor. These individuals may be contacted for further information. The reference form must be submitted with your application in a sealed envelope. FIRST YEAR MENTOR REFERENCE FORM Student Name (please print): The above named applicant retains the right of access to this document unless s/he has signed the following waiver: I hereby waive my right of access (as afforded under federal law) to the information provided on this form. Signature: Date: To the evaluator: The student listed above is applying for the position of First Year Mentor at the University of Pittsburgh. If chosen, this student would work for the Office of Student Life and introduce entering students, parents, and their guests to the University by leading discussion groups, acting in student monologues, planning programs for parents and students, and serving as a general resource. This position calls for a person with a high degree of maturity and flexibility and one who has exhibited significant leadership ability. Please comment on the capabilities of this individual based on your interactions. Thank you for your assistance and time in our selection process. Please place this reference in a sealed envelope and return it to the applicant. Name of reference: Phone Number: How well do you know this applicant? In what capacity? What do you consider to be the applicant s strongest assets? What qualities does this applicant need to improve upon?

9 Do you feel this applicant has strong leadership abilities? Why or why not? Please circle the appropriate response: Weak Strong Ability to work in a group setting N/A Ability to make a positive first impression N/A Strong sense of professionalism N/A Mature and responsible N/A Adapts well to new situations N/A Concern for others N/A Strong decision making skills N/A Takes Initiative N/A Please indicate your overall recommendation of this candidate: Highly recommend Recommend Recommend with reservations Do not recommend No basis for recommendation Additional Comments:

10 Part Four References Please provide two references and have them fill out the attached form. At least one reference should be a faculty, staff or a current supervisor. Your other reference can be an advisor or past supervisor. These individuals may be contacted for further information. The reference form must be submitted with your application in a sealed envelope. FIRST YEAR MENTOR REFERENCE FORM Student Name (please print): The above named applicant retains the right of access to this document unless s/he has signed the following waiver: I hereby waive my right of access (as afforded under federal law) to the information provided on this form. Signature: Date: To the evaluator: The student listed above is applying for the position of First Year Mentor at the University of Pittsburgh. If chosen, this student would work for the Office of Student Life and introduce entering students, parents, and their guests to the University by leading discussion groups, acting in student monologues, planning programs for parents and students, and serving as a general resource. This position calls for a person with a high degree of maturity and flexibility and one who has exhibited significant leadership ability. Please comment on the capabilities of this individual based on your interactions. Thank you for your assistance and time in our selection process. Please place this reference in a sealed envelope and return it to the applicant. Name of reference: Phone Number: How well do you know this applicant? In what capacity? What do you consider to be the applicant s strongest assets? What qualities does this applicant need to improve upon?

11 Do you feel this applicant has strong leadership abilities? Why or why not? Please circle the appropriate response: Weak Strong Ability to work in a group setting N/A Ability to make a positive first impression N/A Strong sense of professionalism N/A Mature and responsible N/A Adapts well to new situations N/A Concern for others N/A Strong decision making skills N/A Takes Initiative N/A Please indicate your overall recommendation of this candidate: Highly recommend Recommend Recommend with reservations Do not recommend No basis for recommendation Additional Comments: