Brantford Peer Mentor Recruitment 2020/21

WHAT IS A PEER MENTOR?

Writing and study skills peer mentors work one-on-one with fellow students to help them develop the skills they need to excel in all areas of their academic life. Students at Laurier’s Brantford campus benefit from a holistic service at Learning Skills & Development where they can create time management plans, learn how to take better notes in class, practice new study strategies, improve their written communication, and receive support with citation. Peer mentors provide a safe, student-centred environment, working with students as equal partners in learning.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• undergraduate students in any Brantford program of study

Applicants should demonstrate effective academic writing ability for a variety of assignments types, be a confident student who employs effective study skills, and be committed to assisting their peers succeed academically.

A peer mentor is:

• friendly, outgoing, and enjoys working with people
• a good communicator
• responsible, punctual, and well-organized
• an effective problem-solver
• a critical thinker who is capable of unbiased evaluation
• able to work independently and handle tasks as they arise

WHAT ARE THE HOURS AND THE RATE OF PAY?

New undergraduate peer mentors are paid $17.00 per hour to begin. In their first term at Learning Skills & Development, peer mentors work approximately eight hours per week, but once they get more experience, they may have the opportunity to increase their hours. Students typically work three 2- or 3-hour shifts per week that remain consistent throughout a term. They also attend our weekly team meeting.

Student shifts are distributed around course schedules and could fall anywhere within our operating hours (typically Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m).

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS?

All peer mentors must attend five days of mandatory paid training in the week before Orientation Week in August/September.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A PEER MENTOR?

Writing and study skills peer mentors gain valuable experience and skills that benefit them in their academic careers and beyond. They learn about the benefits of a peer support model and enhance their awareness of all aspects of learning.

Peer mentors engage in training and discussions about cognitive development theory and academic writing theories, improve their understanding of approaches to effective learning, practice group facilitation techniques and one-on-one mentoring skills, provide supportive feedback to foster a positive learning environment, and learn how to maintain accurate records in a database system.

Peer mentors also receive training and support in responding to students in crisis and engage in debriefing work. Students who work with us in Learning Skills & Development say that their experience helps them to become better students and writers, and also equips them with valuable skills for future employment opportunities.

HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Students can view all job postings for Learning Skills & Development on Navigator. The writing and study skills peer mentor position is job ID 135522. Please note that we have several other positions available, including a graduate peer mentor, facilitated study group leader, and summer intern.

Students interested in applying to Learning Skills & Development should direct their application package to Jenna Olender, Manager and drop it off in person in One Market (OM) 207 by Friday, March 6, 2020.