Join Our Team
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Interested in joining the Graduate Student Center team? View available positions and application information below.
The Graduate Student Center typically hires students on an annual basis, though we occasionally have positions open during the academic year. Graduate Fellows and Graduate Assistants contribute to the Grad Center’s role as the central hub of graduate student life at Penn, supporting and bringing together students from across the many disciplines, backgrounds, and cultures at Penn. We welcome your application.
Please review the position descriptions below before applying for the role(s) for which you are most interested and qualified:
Graduate Programming Fellows work as part of the Grad Center team to develop programs and resources that enhance the quality of personal development, social and cultural life, and to foster community for graduate and professional students at Penn. While broadly focused on supporting graduate student community at Penn, the ideas and initiative of the Fellows themselves define the range of activities and programs they implement.
Programming Fellows work closely with a member of the professional staff as part of a program team in one of two broad programming areas:
- Graduate Life Programs
Plan programs and events that promote a vibrant, engaged, and supportive graduate and professional student community at Penn. Fellows work closely with the Assistant Director to plan regular programs like our Fourth Fridays @ Five, and other activities to help foster a well-rounded graduate experience, including programs on maintaining a healthy school-life balance, personal development, social events, and building a sense of community.
- Academic & Intellectual Programs
Plan programs to help graduate students be successful in all aspects of their academic work, with focuses on skill building, intellectual engagement, professional development, and a better understanding of the graduate experience. This includes the “Navigating the Academy” programs currently sponsored in part by GAPSA. Fellows work closely with the Associate Director to develop new programs, as well as to facilitate existing programs, such as our Dissertation Boot Camp.
General Responsibilities and Commitments:
Programming Fellows meet regularly with Grad Center staff and other fellows, organize regular events and workshops for graduate and professional students, and assist with outreach and publicity related to their programming area.
In addition to program-specific activities, all fellows share a set of common responsibilities:
- Communicate regularly with your supervisor(s) and team members during business hours (M-F, 9-5 ET).
- Plan and evaluate programming or materials in your program area
- Assist with large-scale events and programs, including New Student Orientation, graduation, and Dissertation Boot Camp, as needed
Fellows will be expected to work an average of 5-7 hours per week. The time commitment is generally flexible enough to accommodate various lab, coursework, clinical, research, and teaching schedules. However, some evening and weekend hours may be required, depending on the programming area and Center needs.
Compensation
Fellows receive $2500 per semester.
Graduate Assistants work with members of the Grad Center professional staff and fellows to support essential functions of a bustling student center, serving over 16,000 graduate and professional students. Graduate Assistants contribute to the Grad Center’s role as the central hub of graduate student life at Penn, supporting and bringing together students from across the many disciplines, backgrounds, and cultures at Penn. Graduate Assistants must be detail-oriented, organized, and enjoy working with others.
General Responsibilities and Commitments:
Graduate Assistants typically work 12-15 hours each week during the academic year (7-10 in summer), with shifts scheduled on a semesterly basis. The time commitment is generally flexible enough to accommodate various lab, coursework, clinical, research, and teaching schedules. Evening and/or weekend hours may be required.
- Staffing the first floor information desk when the Grad Center is open, including answering calls and questions from guests.
- Assisting with events or operations within the graduate lounge, as needed.
- Managing the first floor Common Room space, including making coffee, updating resource table and bulletin board, and ensuring the space remains tidy and welcoming to visitors.
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Assist with planning two Grad Center-wide team meetings each semester.
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Assist with conducting regular inventory and ticket distributions, as well as with special projects, as needed.
- Assist with passive programming and outreach within the Grad Center first floor area.
- Assist with large-scale events and programs, including New Student Orientation, graduation, and Dissertation Boot Camp, as needed.
Compensation
Fellows are paid on an hourly basis. Our current pay rate is $20/hour.
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All full-time, degree-seeking Penn graduate & professional students, registered and in good standing for the 2023-24 academic year, are eligible to apply.
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Students must have completed at least one full semester at Penn at the time of application.
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Graduate Fellows and Assistants may serve multiple years, subject to renewal of position each spring.
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Students must reside within the United States during the period of employment.
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Graduate Programming Fellows and Graduate Assistants 2022-23 AY Fellows must be available for training and planning in August. Required training and team orientation activities will take place the week of August 14th.
Please be aware that full-time students cannot work more than 20 hours per week in total when they are enrolled in classes, per University policy.
Penn students who are currently and will be registered throughout the upcoming academic year in a degree-bearing graduate or professional program are welcome to apply for a Graduate Fellow or Graduate Assistant position.
Please submit a complete application, including an up-to-date resume or cv.
On the basis of the completed application and supporting documents, a select number of applicants will be invited to interview.
Apply to be a Graduate Programming Fellow (currently closed)
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106 or by phone at (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).