University of Southern California·Los Angeles, California
Advisers work within a local high school to foster a positive, college-going culture by assisting students with college searches, applications, financial aid, and enrollment processes for various postsecondary options. They are also responsible for organizing related workshops and events, establishing strategic relationships with school staff, and meticulously documenting all student interactions.
USC College Advising Corps (USC CAC) Advisers play a critical role in delivering high quality postsecondary advising to students within a high school setting.
College Advisers assist students with their college searches, applications, financial aid, and enrollment.
They also host presentations, workshops, and events focused on supporting postsecondary attainment.
College Advisers carefully track student interactions and outcomes via our online student tracker to meet performance metrics and goals.
As well, College Advisers are responsible for attending summer training, on-going professional development training, team meetings, and may be asked to work on other partnership projects.
College Advisers report to the Program Director at USC and an on-site liaison at their assigned school.
College Advising is a full-time position (37.5 hours/week). The rate for this position is $22.00 per hour.
Please note that the adviser IS a USC employee, but will NOT work on the USC campus. The College Adviser’s primary work location will be a local high school. The high school campus will be in the greater Los Angeles area. (Potential areas include: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Compton, Lynwood, Paramount and various cities in the San Gabriel Valley).
The College Adviser position is fixed-term and limited to two years. Continuation for the second year is conditional based on performance in the first year and funding availability.
Hiring Windows: Traditional (summer)
We begin reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews in February. We typically continue interviewing candidates through June. If offered a position, a candidate can expect a start date in July alongside several other new hires starting the same day.
Year-round While most advisers are hired at the beginning of summer, applications are reviewed, candidates interviewed and positions are filled throughout the year.
Launched in 2013, the University of Southern California College Advising Corps (USC CAC) has grown from serving 3 schools within one district to over 35 schools across ten districts in the greater Los Angeles area. This program is a partnership between the USC Pullias Center for Higher Education and the national College Advising Corps.
The USC Pullias Center for Higher Education is committed to improving access, affordability, and outcomes in higher education through research, policy engagement, and practice. The establishment of the USC CAC program reflects this commitment by expanding postsecondary advising services to high schools serving students who are first-generation and from low-income backgrounds.
Since 2013, USC CAC advisers have collectively provided college advising services to over 88,000 seniors. Our program partners with high schools where many students are first-generation college-bound and qualify for free and reduced lunch.
89% of students are first-generation college-bound or from low-income backgrounds.
74% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Responsibilities: include but are not limited to:
College Advisers work within a local high school to build a positive and inclusive college going culture on campus for all students. Their responsibilities include:
Assist students with college searches, applications, applying for financial aid for Community Colleges, 4-year Universities, private colleges and trade schools.
Organize workshops, presentations, and events that encourage students and their families to consider post-secondary education.
Establish productive and strategic relationships with counselors, teachers and administrators within the partner school.
Assist in the efforts of other college adviser(s) within the service area.
Document all student interactions on daily basis to assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program.
Prepare regular progress reports for USC program staff and school administration.
Participate in a 4-week paid training during the summer and ongoing professional development throughout the school year
Commit to one academic year (12 months) of service, with a preferred two-year commitment if mutually agreed upon by the program staff and the adviser.
• Bachelor’s degree (College seniors may apply before graduation for the following school year.)
If you have a question about your application, please email usccac@usc.edu [usccac@usc.edu].
The hourly rate for this position is $22.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 1 year
Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Administrative experience. Understanding of community outreach programs. Familiarity with relevant programs and applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite). Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree
Preferred Experience: 2 years
Demonstrated experience interacting with diverse groups, exercising diplomacy, good judgment and discretion. Familiarity with local community. Demonstrated experience with office management communication software and tools (e.g., Google suite, Slack, Skype) and social media management. Fluency in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Spanish, Korean).
If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:
https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$143354.htmld
A Bachelor's degree is required, though current college seniors may apply for the following school year. Candidates should possess proven organizational skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and flexibility, with experience working with diverse populations being preferred.
Market context
In California, college advisor roles are commonly tied to student support programs that help low-income and first-generation students navigate applications, financial aid, and enrollment steps. These positions are competitive because employers look for both relevant coursework and strong communication, detail orientation, and comfort building trust with students from diverse backgrounds. Before applying, review how your experience aligns with those student-facing needs; the requirements and benefits shown here are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving you research time.
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