Agenda:
Background
Why Make the Investment
Hiring Hints
Training
Suggestions for Success
The History of the Peer Program at Purdue
My Experience as a Peer Counselor
Current Peer Program Requirements
Feeder system for youthful talent
Utilize the student perspective
High return on investment
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Counseling
Answering email
Outreach
Review student communication before distribution
Suggestions for improvement
Mentor new Peers
Compiling Weekly Top Ten Questions/Answers
Construct duty schedules
Special projects
And more!
Recruiting great Peers
Sell them on the position
Expect them to bring their A-game to the interview
The Division of Financial Aid at Purdue University is looking for several
outstanding students to fill Peer Counselor positions starting in May
2015. You have been selected for this recruitment based on your
academic success. We are looking for individuals interested in working
both full-time during the summer AND part-time during the academic
year.
The Peer Counselor position is paraprofessional, requiring a high
degree of responsibility and maturity. Five weeks of comprehensive,
paid training is provided. Afterward, our Peers counsel students and
parents regarding the financial aid application process, eligibility
criteria, and the status of individual applications. This position is an
excellent resume builder and the skills learned are highly transferable
to many other professions. Some colleges within Purdue allow students
to use their Peer Counselor experience to fulfill internship requirements.
Thank you for your interest in the Division of Financial Aid Peer Counselor
program at Purdue University in West Lafayette. Please read the Peer
Counselor FAQ below for more information about the program, training, and
job responsibilities.
Applications will be accepted through mid-February. Interviews for these
positions will be held throughout February and early-March. Selected
applicants will be contacted by phone to schedule a personal interview.
Q – What kind of work do Peer Counselors perform?
A – Financial aid counseling, naturally! Peers provide counseling over the phones,
through email and eventually in-person. Peers also do some basic aid processing and
outreach activities.
Q – What kind of skills does a Peer Counselor need?
A – Good verbal and written communication skills are vital. Good customer service skills
are also very important, but are not a pre-requisite. The training provided will help you
build all these skills.
Q – What kind of training is provided?
Interviewing
Integrating them before day one
Initial training
Transitioning from trainee to counselor
Ongoing training
Make expectations clear
Set expectations high
Celebrate successes
Let them know that they are valued
Answer all the e-mails!
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2015
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Common challenges
What we have done
What we are considering