Administrative Fellows Program

Forms (PDF)

• Position Description Template
• Planning & Evaluation Form

Program Goal
The Administrative Fellows Program is a student employment opportunity designed to provide para-professional positions in college administrative and academic departments. Administrative Fellow positions are structured to give students an in-depth exposure to the field and acquisition and application of specific skills related to the field.

Program Description
Supervisors, working in conjunction with the Career Development Center, create Administrative Fellow positions within their departments. These positions are two semesters or one-year in length and average six to eight hours a week. They are open to rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Administrative Fellow positions provide students:

• An in-depth exposure to the field (Examples: Admissions, Career Development, Conference Services, Art Museums)
• Acquisition and application of specific skills related to the field
• Opportunities to participate in professional development through conferences and training
• Application of learning through developmental assignments
• Evaluation through on-going feedback and coaching

The Administrative Fellow position is Level 4 in the Student Wage Structure. The pay is $8.00 per hour. Level 4 positions are para-professional in nature with more complexity, responsibility, accountability, and autonomy in decision making than Level 1-3 positions.

Departments sponsoring an Administrative Fellow position assume responsibility for creating a significant, intentional learning and work experience that requires high-level proficiency and careful mentoring. Administrative Fellows are involved in essential work of the department and may be assigned tasks similar to the professional staff.

Benefits to Students and the College
Participating students will:

• Be given the opportunity to explore fields of interest which will assist them in making career choices
• Acquire skills and experience that will make them more competitive for internships and jobs as well as graduate or professional schools
• Develop a greater sense of clarity, confidence, and connection through their Supervisor's on-going feedback

The College can expect:

• To gain the assistance of talented, focused, para-professionals who are eager to learn
• An increase in productivity and flexibility as the workload of professionals can be shared with para-professionals
• A higher retention rate and increased satisfaction with the College among students who participate in the program

Supervisor's Role
Create a Position Description including position summary, responsibilities, performance outcomes, prerequisite qualifications, as well as skills and knowledge that will be developed in the position:

• Select qualified candidates for their Administrative Fellow position(s)
• Provide the Administrative Fellow with skill assessment and training customized for her
• Meet weekly with the Administrative Fellow to review progress towards learning and performance goals
• Adjust training and developmental assignments to meet the needs of the student and the department
• Provide an evaluation of the student's performance and progress towards learning goals at the end of each semester
• Critique the Administrative Fellows Program and suggest improvements

Student's Role

• Develop learning and performance goals in conjunction with her Supervisor
• Meet weekly with her Supervisor to review progress towards learning goals and performance outcomes
• Participate in several Administrative Fellows professional development meetings designed to help AFs identify transferrable skills and make the most of their experiences
• Prepare a self-evaluation of performance and progress towards learning goals at the end of each semester
• Critique the program and suggest improvements

Program Coordinator
For additional information email Joanna Adler, Director of Experiential Learning, or call the Career Development Center at (413) 538-2080