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AmeriCorps Academic and College Planning Advisor

SSC Learning Network
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Jumpstart your career and make a lasting impact on first-generation college students through a year of AmeriCorps service at Breakthrough Silicon Valley!  

 

About Breakthrough Silicon Valley

Breakthrough Silicon Valley launches talented students who have lacked access to higher education on the path to college, and inspires high school and college students to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and educators. BTSV’s seven-year college access and success program, which supports students from 7th grade to first year of college, has proven to be effective in preparing these students for college: a stunning 99% of BTSV graduates attend college immediately after high school.


 

BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for a group of talented students from underserved communities who will be the first generation in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to expand access to educational opportunities, design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned educators, and learn about the K-12 system.


 

Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 25 Breakthrough sites across the country.


 

The AmeriCorps Positions

We are looking for full-time AmeriCorps members to provide academic and college readiness/planning support to 7th to 12th-grade students in the Breakthrough Silicon Valley program. AmeriCorps members will serve full-time from September 8th, 2026, to August 6th, 2027. 

 

The AmeriCorps members will serve alongside and be supported by the BTSV program team while preparing students for their college journey. This is a fantastic opportunity for passionate recent college graduates to make a difference in the educational trajectory of aspiring first-generation college students.

 

Academic and College Readiness Advisors (7th-8th grade)

  • Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 7-8 who aspire to be among the first generation in their families to graduate from college and who are just starting their Breakthrough journey.
  • Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits. Support students as they set goals for themselves that may range from grades and test scores, to getting involved in their community or exploring a career interest. Support students as they create their own plans for reaching their goals and meet with them regularly to encourage their progress!
  • Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester to ensure academic progress, and connect them with tutoring resources as needed.  
  • Support after school and occasional weekend sessions, such as Majors/Careers workshops, College Field trips and high school transitions.  
  • Once the school year is over, AmeriCorps members transition from academic advisors to Summer Activities Leads (SALs) at BTSV’s signature middle school summer program. SALs will support the building of culture and community at the daily All School Meeting and through planning special events such as Spirit Week, Crew Olympics, and the end of summer celebration.

 

Academic and College Planning Advisors (9-10th grade)

  • Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 9-10 as they develop strong academic habits and begin exploring potential career and major interests. Guide them as they learn about the different types of colleges (public/private).  
  • Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits.  Provide coaching on both academic and non-academic goals. Guide students through the college access journey by monitoring grades and test scores, encouraging community involvement, and helping them explore career interests. Support students as they create their own plans for reaching their goals and meet with them regularly to encourage their progress!
  • Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester to ensure academic progress, and connect them with tutoring resources or advise on course recovery options as needed.   
  • Encourage students to take advantage of their summers to develop their leadership skills and broaden their horizons through work, enrichment camps, academic study, or volunteerism.
  • Support evening and occasional weekend workshops on topics such as professional skills, career and major exploration, and college research; and organize social and community building events.
  • Once the school year is over, AmeriCorps members transition from academic advisors to supporting BTSV’s summer programming: serve as a Summer Activities Lead (SAL) at BTSV’s 9th grade summer program.  SALs will support the building of culture and community at the daily All School Meeting and through planning special events such as Spirit Week, Crew Olympics, and the end of summer celebration. 


 

Academic and College Planning Advisors (11-12th grade)

  • Build supportive relationships with approximately 30 students in grades 11th-12th graders with their college exploration, application, financial aid, and decision-making process.
  • Provide coaching on academic and non-academic pursuits. Support students as they set goals for themselves that may range from grades and test scores, to getting involved in their community or exploring a career interest. Support students as they create their own plans for reaching their goals and meet with them regularly to encourage their progress!
  • Encourage students to take advantage of their summers to develop their leadership skills and broaden their horizons through work, enrichment camps, academic study, or volunteerism.
  • Monitor students’ grades throughout the semester to ensure academic progress, and connect them with tutoring resources or advise on course recovery options as needed.  
  • Support students in applying to a broad range of best-fit colleges, and guide them through the enrollment process to ensure they select the option that best aligns with their needs and goals. 
  • Support evening and occasional weekend workshops on topics such as professional skills, career and major exploration, and college research.  
  • Once the school year is over, AmeriCorps members transition from academic advisors to supporting BTSV’s summer programming: Summer Advisor supporting 11th–12th grade students through 1 on 1 or group based advising, grade tracking, and preparation for our two-week college camps. 

Background and Skills We're Looking For:

  • Relationship-building: Ability to connect with middle and high school students in a meaningful, trust-based way and maintain consistent, encouraging communication throughout the year.
  • Coaching and goal-setting: Comfort guiding students through identifying their own goals, developing action plans, and reflecting on their progress. 
  • Organization and follow-through: Ability to manage a caseload of approximately 30 students, track their progress, and follow up proactively and consistently.
  • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for working with students, families, school partners, and the BTSV program team.
  • Adaptability: Willingness to shift between roles and responsibilities across the school year and into summer programming as program needs evolve.
  • Collaboration: A team-first mindset and ability to work closely with fellow AmeriCorps members, program staff, and school-based partners.
  • Cultural competency: Sensitivity to and respect for the diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds of BTSV students and families. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Vietnamese is a plus.
  • Breakthrough Spirit: You're a collaborative team player committed to excellence and open to growth. You think creatively, solve problems with humility and humor, and bring genuine passion for BTSV's mission.]


 

Learn more about AmeriCorps and national service here!

 

Requirements

  • Have a commitment to community service and the ability to serve the complete program year: a service term of 1,700+ hours from September 8, 2026 to August 6, 2027. 
  • Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in college pursuing your degree.
  • US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
  • Candidates 18 years of age or older must pass a National Service Criminal History Check.
  • Access to reliable transportation to our program offices and summer program sites via personal vehicle, public transit, or other means.
  • As BTSV is an out-of-school time program, availability for evening and occasional weekend service is a must.


 

Training and Professional Development

BTSV wants you to learn and grow as much as your students will. At the start of your service, you will receive a comprehensive orientation to your new team, to BTSV, our program, and your role. Throughout the year, you will be supported by your grade level supervisor and the AmeriCorps Program Director to pursue training specific to your role and your own goals for professional development. 


 

Compensation

AmeriCorps positions are volunteer roles that carry a living allowance. BTSV’s AmeriCorps members will receive:

  • $30,000 living allowance (pre-tax) paid semi-monthly over the 11-month service term
  • Health insurance, if needed
  • Most AmeriCorps members will be eligible for food supplement programs, like SNAP/CalFresh, to help cover monthly grocery expenses

 

AmeriCorps members who complete their service are eligible for a $10,000 education award via the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award and the California for All Education Award. This award can be used for continuing education or even to repay certain student loans. Many members will also qualify for student loan forbearance.

 

Location

BTSV maintains two offices in San Jose:

  • Bridges Academy: 1702 McLaughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122
  • Herbert Hoover Middle School: 1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126


 

AmeriCorps members are required to serve full-time in person. This is not a remote position.

 

Application Process

Apply at breakthroughsv.org/joinourteam. Please indicate where you heard about the position in your cover letter. We will review applications on a rolling basis.


 

  • Priority application deadline: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 11:59 PM PT
  • Final application deadline: Sunday, July 19, 2026, 11:59 PM PT


 

*This service opportunity is contingent upon the approval of our AmeriCorps renewal contract (currently processing).


 

BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.