Summary:

Join Earn to Learn’s Next Steps Program on a fulfilling journey dedicated to empowering Arizona students in their pursuit of postsecondary education and career readiness exploration. As a Next Steps Advisor, you'll be instrumental in fostering a vibrant college-going culture in selected middle schools and high schools across the state. Working in close collaboration with counselors at both the middle and high school levels, as well as other committed professionals, you'll support students as they navigate the crucial transition from middle school to high school and onward to higher education while exploring different career paths.

In this part-time service role, with a focus on advising underrepresented students, you'll provide invaluable information on the benefits of postsecondary education, assist with college preparation, demystify the admission and financial aid processes, and facilitate career choice and exploration opportunities.

Earn to Learn Next Steps prioritizes your professional growth. As an advisor, you'll receive ongoing professional training to enhance your collaboration and innovation skills. Forge meaningful professional connections that not only enrich your current role but also pave the way for future career advancement opportunities. Join our dynamic team and merge your passion for education with a platform for meaningful change.

Commitment: 

Next Steps Advisors will commit to a term of service from anytime from August to May with a mandatory orientation (hours vary per week, depending on the commitment, slots are listed below). Successful advisors are fully enmeshed in the local communities' fabric and are encouraged to live in or close by to the community in which they are placed. Upon completion, advisors can return for up to three more years of service with the Earn to Learn Next Steps Program.

Candidates unwilling to commit to the hours of service with the program should not apply. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Interact weekly with middle and high school students and families in the assigned schools to provide relevant information about post-secondary education and the college choice, application, and financial aid processes:
  • Engage middle school students in discussions about career exploration and potential pathways to post-secondary education.
  • Encourage each student, both in middle and high school, to consider a broad range of appropriate college choices and career options.
  • Develop a comprehensive college and career timeline, including application deadlines for admission and financial aid for each student.
  • Assist each student in interpreting correspondence from colleges, including offers of admission and financial aid, while also providing guidance on potential career pathways.

• Organize group events that encourage and engage middle and/or high school students and their families to consider, plan for, and apply to colleges and universities and career choice:
  • Visit classrooms, assemblies, and club meetings in both middle and high schools to offer services, emphasizing the importance of postsecondary participation and exploring career options.
  • Partner with local community groups, including College Access Programs, to provide college access services outside of the school setting and hours, offering career exploration workshops and resources.
  • Host regular workshops for the families of middle and high school students to discuss topics relevant to college preparation, including career exploration, college selection, and financial aid.
  • Coordinate High school and college campus visits and on-site college representative visits for both middle and high school students, integrating career-focused discussions and opportunities into these events.

• Establish productive collegial relationships with principals, school counselors, and teachers in assigned middle and high schools, as well as community-based college access professionals:
  • Assess, in consultation with Earn to Learn and the middle and high school and/or community program, the assets and needs of the assigned schools, including career exploration resources and programming.
  • Collaborate with school counselors and teachers to integrate career exploration activities into the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
  • Actively seek the advice and counsel of the on-site supervisor at the assigned middle and high schools and/or community program, ensuring alignment with career exploration initiatives.

• Assist in the assessment and long-term sustainability of the program through data collection:
  • Assist Earn to Learn in identifying, collecting, and interpreting key progress and outcome data to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, including career exploration outcomes.
  • Submit daily student tracking data documenting interactions and output to Vistashare, capturing career exploration activities and outcomes for both middle and high school students.
  • Represent AmeriCorps, as requested by the program staff, to potential supporters and other interested parties, highlighting the importance of career exploration in college access and success.

• Build and maintain expertise in admission and financial aid advising:
  • Participate fully in mandatory training sessions, including AmeriCorps Orientation, focusing on career exploration strategies and resources.
  • Engage in self-paced and collaborative virtual training components, incorporating career exploration best practices.
  • Attend professional development training sessions provided by Earn to Learn and other partners throughout your term of service, with a focus on career exploration and college access.
  • Under guidance of the Program, seek out and participate in other professional development related to career exploration and college access.

Program Supervisors:

• The Next Steps Program Coordinator(s): You will connect and meet with your Coordinators once a month and participate in the monthly held virtual trainings. 

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a United States citizen, a national, or a legal permanent resident and at least 18 years of age. Documentation of proof of age and citizenship will be required during the selection process.           

Qualifications:

• Current college student and or associate or bachelor’s degree in any subject area with a recent graduation date within the last 4 years from an accredited college or university
• Available to serve in a local middle school, high school or college access program a minimum of 2-3 days/week in total
• Ability to effectively partner with students, faculty, and staff, including those from diverse backgrounds
• Previous experience demonstrating strong leadership abilities, influencing others in a positive manner while achieving goals, and effectively communicating ideas and generating support for ideas
• Ability to serve independently and analytically, exercise discretion and good judgment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient computer skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, strong planning, and organizational skills
• Willingness to manage complex and meticulous tasks and projects
• High energy, creativity, ability to assume responsibility
• Take initiative and develop innovative programs within the high school setting
• Successfully pass Federal and State background screenings
• Provide documentation of eligibility for service (e.g., birth certificate, passport, transcripts)
• Dependable transportation to get to and from your service site 

Compensation:

Our compensation package includes a stipend paid bi-weekly, ranging from $1,400 to $12,050 for the entire service term, along with a post-service education award, ranging from at least $380* up to $2,600*, based on total hours served. Positions require completing 300, 450, or 675 total service hours by May. *Award granted upon successful completion of the full year commitment. 

Application Instructions:

Fill out the Application – 

• New Applicants: Follow this link: Application Link (do not click "Apply for this position" below) 
• Current/Returning members:
  • Fill out the application in your next steps portal, you will find it on your front page upon login

You will be contacted by our Next Steps Program staff to continue through the application process.