Peer Career Advisor Program

Peer Career Advisor Nominations

Do you know a student who would be great for the Peer Career Advising Program? Nominate them!

Peer Career Advisors (PCAs) are students who serve as career ambassadors to the Mason community by working with University Career Services. PCAs have the opportunity to connect with employers, advise students on career topics, attend weekly professional development meetings, and give career presentations.

PCAs are paid $9/hour for up to 10 hours per week.

Being a PCA is an excellent resume building experience! Enhance your leadership and communication skill while you:

Develop personal and para-professional skills in human resources, marketing, public relations, education, and advising/counseling
Network with employers and career center staff
Strengthen your communication, presentation, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills
Expand your knowledge of and access to career resources
Get a free PCA polo shirt and other "swag"

Conduct drop-in advising hours for undergraduate, graduate, and alumni students
Critique resumes and cover letters
Facilitate practice interviews with students
Assist in special events such as career fairs and professional development workshops
Advise students on job search topics and resources
Facilitate presentations about University Career Services
Participate in weekly staff meetings
Create marketing and educational content for University Career Services

Peer Career Mentors (graduate)

Peer Career Mentors (PCMs) aid in the hiring and training of all new PCAs and coach them throughout the year. PCMs also meet with students and alumni during drop-in hours and work closely with career staff to manage the PCA Program.

To Apply, log into jobs.gmu.edu search for "Peer Career Mentor”. This position is 29 hours a week and the pay is $15 an hour.

Applicants must be available to work during University Career Services drop-in hours.

Opportunity to shape a peer advising program
Development of supervision, advising, and project management skills
Interaction with stakeholders across the university
Access to employers
A PCM polo shirt, business cards, and other “swag”

Aid in the hiring and training of all new PCAs
Meet with PCAs to set goals for their experience, provide coaching on how to successfully carry out their responsibilities, and conduct semesterly performance reviews
Meet with students and alumni during drop-in hours
Assess goals and create objectives for the PCA Program
Develop a marketing strategy for the PCA Program
Complete a capstone experience

Testimonials

Susmita Gautam Learn to network: I landed my dream internship!
"When I first signed up to become a Peer Career Adviser, I wasn't well versed in talking to employers or networking. In fact, my biggest weakness was networking...I took advantage of workshops and practiced my networking skills every time employers came on campus by asking for advice on my resume as well as for my career path. My networking really paid off one day while I was talking to a recruiter for a company I was interested in. Not only did that land me an interview, but with the help of the career service industry advisors' interview tips, I was able to present my best self and land my dream internship for the summer!"
- Susmita Gautam, 2015 - present

Help Patriots discover resources
"The most rewarding part of being a PCA is having the opportunity to assist fellow Patriots with their career paths and getting to work closely with the professional staff members of the University Career Services team. Being a PCA allows you to learn a lot about how to be successful in your own career search. It presents many opportunities that may be unknown to other students."
- Jessica Harker, 2014-16

Supercharge your degree
"[The Peer Career Mentor job] allowed me to build my supervision skills and connect with resources that will be helpful for my future career… I have been able to build a plan for post-graduate success which I would never have come to on my own. This is a great opportunity for any graduate student who is looking to supercharge their degree."
- Grant Haver, 2014-16