SBS Pathways Peer Advisor
SBS Pathways Center
Peer Advisor Internship
Fall 2026/Spring 2027
The Pathways Center in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The SBS Pathways Center supports the entire college and is home to Academic Deans, Career and Professional Development, SBS Exploratory Track Advising, RISE (Remedying Inequity through Student Engagement) and the SBS Ambassadors. In the SBS Pathways Center, we strive to foster a culture and climate that is strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence and is a welcoming place for all. In their work with students, all staff in the Pathways Center consider how to best develop a unique and holistic college experience; ultimately assisting in the development of key competencies for college and beyond.
Peer Advisor Internship Overview and Time Commitment:
This internship is a two-semester commitment (one academic year). Students receive two credits per semester. Each semester, interns will commit to 80 hours (on average 6 hours per week).
The internship contains key components rooted in:
Participation in a fall professional development training course that meets weekly: Monday, 4:00pm to 5:00pm and regular spring team meetings.
Assigned weekly hours (four hours per week) working in the Pathways Center for student drop-in advising. Advising hours are in both fall and spring semesters.
Other tasks: Involvement in individual and group projects, may help provide content for the SBS Pathways website and Career & Pathways social media pages, and assist with events and workshop presentations.
Attend mandatory online training that will be scheduled for August and an in-person training at the end of August that may require early move in by Wednesday, September 2nd.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Interns will develop creative ways to increase student visits to the Pathways Center and will assist walk-in students with general questions regarding:
Academic guidance on: courses, major exploration, general education and university requirements, campus resources, and UMass technology: Navigate, SPIRE, Canvas etc.
Career assistance with: Resume and cover letter edits, and UMass technology: Handshake, web resources, online assessments and resources.
Provide office support by: assisting Pathways staff with projects as needed, conducting resource referrals to other offices, and other tasks as assigned.
Benefits:
Gain valuable skills in peer advising, leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal communication, teamwork, and office experience.
Develop facilitation, presentation and public speaking skills.
Expand your network by working supportively and effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities providing practical and tangible support.
An opportunity to build critical relationships with academic deans, faculty and staff to support your own experiences at UMass.
Build up a portfolio of your own career materials as you help others with theirs.
Eligibility Requirements:
At least one of your majors must be an SBS major.
Must have completed one (full-time) semester prior to the start of the position and be in good university academic standing.
Commitment for the entire 2026-2027 academic year (September-May)
Available for up to four office hours a week (Monday-Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm), plus the weekly class meeting time, and on-going training and/or programming (some during evening and weekend hours as needed).
Able to work independently and as a team with strong communication skills.
Creatively problem-solve and multi-task, while knowing when to ask for help.
Enthusiastic about representing the SBS Pathways Center and Career and Professional Development topics in a motivating and informative way.
Willingness to learn new technologies as needed.
Commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, staff, faculty and visitors.
Ability to foster a culture and climate that is strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusive learning and work.