Become a PAL
The ALLIES in STEM Center provides opportunities for STEM Scholars to hold positions as Peer Academic Leaders (PALs).
Every semester, students may apply for open positions for Student Workers and Supplemental Instruction Leaders. We also hire every spring semester for Peer Mentors.
Click each icon below to learn more about each of our PAL opportunities! Come visit the ALLIES Center (3215 Pioneer Ave) to talk with the ALLIES staff about the PAL positions.
For summer research and internship opportunities, click here!
Student Worker Position
3 opportunities
The goal of the ALLIES in STEM Student Worker position is to help support ALLIES in STEM by facilitating communication with STEM students.
Funding
- Students selected as Student Workers will receive:
- An hourly wage (25 hours max per week) during that respective year's STEM Academy (July 11 - 29, 2022).
- The Student worker will receive an hourly student employee position (10 hours max per week) during the Cal Lutheran academic year.
Eligibility
- Must be majoring in a discipline within the Natural Sciences Division.
- Priority is given to students who completed the STEM Academy (i.e. STEM Scholars) or have previously worked as Peer Academic Leaders for the ALLIES in STEM program.
- All students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Low-Income and/or other underrepresented are highly encouraged to apply.
- Students must be returning to the university in the fall & spring semesters. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
Requirements & Expectations
- Comfortable with MS Office, especially Excel & Google Drive applications.
- Engaged Cal Lutheran student that is well-rounded academically & co-curricularly & is knowledgeable of Cal Lutheran student resources.
- Must attend the ALLIES Student Worker Training, ALLIES in STEM Cultural Proficiency & Academic Mindset Development trainings.
- During the academic year, you will be asked to develop and lead one Academic Mindset Workshop per semester.
- Address problems and concerns with the program supervisor immediately.
- Maintain confidentiality as required by FERPA and departmental guidelines.
How to Apply
- Talk with MAPS Coordinator, Melanie Medina, to discuss the Student Worker position.
- Fill out an ALLIES Student Worker application here.
Decision Process
All applications for ALLIES Peer Mentors will be reviewed by ALLIES in STEM professional team.
Applications will be evaluated on the following items:
- Benefit to the student's major and future career interests.
- After reviewing a student's application, students will be selected to participate in individual interviews.
- Status as an ALLIES in STEM Scholar and/or Peer Academic Leader will be given priority.
- Students that self-identify as Hispanic/Latinx and/or Low-Income and/or Other Underrepresented groups will be given priority.
- Must attend trainings prior to the start of the STEM Academy.
- During the academic year, you will assist with workshops, events, trainings, & meetings to support first-year STEM Scholars.
Peer Mentor Position
4 opportunities
The goal of the ALLIES in STEM Peer Mentor position is to help support each of ALLIES in STEM's cohort of first year and trasfer STEM Scholars. Peer Mentors are valuable academic, professional, and social resources to our STEM Scholars and are vital to their success at Cal Lutheran.
Funding
- Students selected as Peer Mentors will receive:
- An hourly wage (25 hours max) during that respective year's STEM Academy (July 11 - 29, 2022).
- The Peer Mentor will receive an hourly student employee position (5 hours max per week) as a peer mentor during the Cal Lutheran academic year.
Eligibility
- Must be majoring in a discipline within the Natural Sciences Division.
- Student must have completed an approved research/internship experience prior to their start as a Peer Mentor.
- Priority is given to students who completed the STEM Academy (i.e. STEM Scholars) or have worked as Peer Academic Leaders for the ALLIES in STEM program.
- All students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Low-Income and/or other underrepresented are highly encouraged to apply.
- Students must be returning to the university in the fall & spring semesters. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
Requirements & Expectations
- Must have completed an approved research/internship experience prior to their start as a Peer Mentor.
- Must attend the annual Peer Academic Leader Retreat
- Must attend the ALLIES Student Worker Training, ALLIES in STEM Cultural Proficiency & Academic Mindset Development trainings.
- Peer Mentors are required to check-in regularly and file reports in order to better guide their STEM Scholar mentees throughout the STEM Scholars' first academic year.
- During the academic year, you will be asked to develop and lead one Academic Mindset Workshop per semester.
- Address problems and concerns with the program supervisor immediately
- Maintain confidentiality as required by FERPA and departmental guidelines
- Approach students having difficulties with empathy and positive regard
How to Apply
- Talk with MAPS Coordinator, Melanie Medina, to discuss the Peer Mentor position.
- Fill out an ALLIES Peer Mentor application here.
- If you will be completing the research requirement the same summer as the Peer Mentor role, then you're eligibility will depend on whether you participate in your research opportunity.
Decision Process
All applications for ALLIES Peer Mentors will be reviewed by ALLIES in STEM professional team.
Applications will be evaluated on the following items:
- Benefit to the student's major and future career interests.
- Experience with mentoring and guiding students.
- Students will be selected for individual interviews. Students who make it to the next round will participate in group interviews.
- Status as an ALLIES in STEM Scholar and/or Peer Academic Leader will be given priority.
- Students that self-identify as Hispanic/Latinx and/or Low-Income and/or Other Underrepresented groups will be given priority.
- The bulk of your research must be completed before the start of the STEM Academy (July)
- Must attend trainings prior to the start of the STEM Academy
- Function as a Peer Mentor (live on campus) during the 3-week STEM Academy & get paid an hourly wage.
- Participate in the Student Research Symposium & Festival of Scholars
- During the academic year, you will assist with workshops, events, trainings, & meetings to support first-year STEM Scholars
Supplemental Instruction Leader Position
6 Opportunities
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a peer-facilitated learning support strategy designed to impact the way students learn difficult content in specific courses. The goal of the ALLIES in STEM Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader position is to help support each of ALLIES in STEM's cohort of first year STEM Scholars. Peer Mentors are valuable academic, professional, and social resources to our STEM Scholars and are vital to their success at Cal Lutheran.
Funding
- Students selected as SI Leaders will receive:
- An hourly wage (40 hours max) during that respective year's STEM Academy (July 12 - 30, 2021).
Eligibility
- Must be majoring in a discipline within the Natural Sciences Division.
- Priority is given to students who completed the STEM Academy (i.e. STEM Scholars) or have worked as Peer Academic Leaders for the ALLIES in STEM program.
- All students who identify as Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Low-Income and/or other underrepresented are highly encouraged to apply.
- Students must be returning to the university in the fall & spring semesters. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
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SI Leaders are selected for their demonstrated academic skill, leadership, character, and ability to communicate well with others. All SI Leader applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the start of the position and for the academic year.
- An A- or higher in the course(s) they wish to lead and have taken the course at California Lutheran University.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from the professor.
- Embrace and support the philosophy of the program (SI Leaders use facilitation techniques to help session attendees teach and learn from each other and, in contrast to an instructor or DA, do not directly instruct, tutor, or give answers).
- Enrolled as a current Cal Lutheran undergraduate student, in at least their second year.
Requirements & Expectations
- Newly selected SI Leaders must be able to attend mandatory pre-semester SI leader orientation and training days, including a SI Leader Summit at no cost to the SI Leader
- Be able to work up to 35 hours a week for the duration of STEM Academy
- Submit all required materials of the SI leader application packet (see below)
- Possess the self-motivation and direction to work independently with limited supervision
- Have a willingness to be a role model, both academically and socially
- Ability to uphold professional standards of conduct
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with peers and faculty members
- Desire to honor the intersectional diversity of all students in support of inclusivity and equity
- Must attend the ALLIES in STEM Cultural Proficiency & Academic Mindset Development trainings.
- Address problems and concerns with the program supervisor immediately
- Maintain confidentiality as required by FERPA and departmental guidelines
- Approach students having difficulties with empathy and positive regard
How to Apply
- Talk with Katia Nava (OPAL Coordinator) to discuss the SI Leader position.
- Fill out an ALLIES SI Leader application here.
Decision Process
All applications for SI Leader will be reviewed by ALLIES in STEM professional team.
Applications will be evaluated on the following items:
- Experience with teaching, mentoring, and guiding students.
- Students will be selected for individual interviews.
- Status as an ALLIES in STEM Scholar and/or Peer Academic Leader will be given priority.
- Students that self-identify as Hispanic/Latinx and/or Low-Income and/or Other Underrepresented groups will be given priority.