Creative Career Peer Advisor

About MassArt:

Founded in 1873, having celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design in the country. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. We've spent 150 years demonstrating the truly amazing things that happen when a world-class art and design education is an option for every deserving student. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 2,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs.

MassArt strives to be a model of diversity and inclusion; the campus community reflects the layers of cultural and self-identity that proudly make up our region, nation, and world. We build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the College by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance to all and maintain an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Job Description:

This Role is Part of the 2026-27 Student Leadership Employment Process.

Compensation: $15/hour

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Career Development office of the Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt) is seeking applicants for the new Creative Career Peer Advisor program. Creative Career Peer Advisors provide resume and cover letter critiques and basic support for current students applying for internships and student jobs, and will also connect with students and groups across campus to plan events that promote career exploration and readiness. Events that Career Peers will assist with might be: The Creative Career & Internship Networking Fairs, tabling for Resource Fairs and Resumes-to-Go, Portfolio Review events, Career Exploration components tied to Major Exploration events, and creating & planning other career related events. Career Peers will be trained in advising, resume & cover letter writing, career resources, event planning, and public speaking. In addition, Career Peers will receive guidance with their own career exploration, and learn how to identify key skills and competencies in their own experiences in order to better communicate their qualifications when they conduct their own internship/job search. The purpose of this is so that Career Peers can their experience and learning with their peers.

DUTIES & EXPECTATIONS

• Be a peer resources for information on basic resumes, cover letters, student job & internship application process, and career resources
• Be able to assess a student's needs and questions, and what help is needed. Provide referrals to appropriate staff members or offices for additional support when necessary.
Learn to navigate Handshake in order to guide students and make them aware of how to find & apply for opportunities,
• tips/tricks, resources, and tools.
• Offer Peer Advising office hours in the Student Development Office.
• Additional hours per week for events, projects, presentations, and/or connecting with student groups
• Attend a weekly 1 hour meeting of Peer Advisors and Career Development staff
• As an ambassador of Career Development, attend and participate in campus events as directed.
• Connect/partner with other student groups which may include Affinity groups, Compass, International students, Residence Halls, SGA, and more, to plan events and/or provide resources for students.
• Collectively, Career Peers will conceptualize, plan, and execute at least two events of their own per semester. These events are separate from Career Development events.
• Help create helpful career resources for your peers.
• Assist with marketing/communications on social media, design materials, or create videos.
• Additional tasks and projects will be assigned based on your interests, major & skillset.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Mandatory training during the week before the start of fall and spring classes (August and January)
• 5-10 hours per week maximum, roughly broken down as follows:
• 4 hours of Peer Advising office hours per week
• 1 hour of meeting time (with Supervisor, Peer Advisors, and Career Development staff)
• 0-5 hours per week for planning/execution of events, presentations, marketing/communication, special projects, and connecting with student groups

Requirements:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Customer service experience (this could be from an environment like retail, food service, or other environment)
• Written & verbal communication skills; the ability to express thoughts clearly and concisely
• Interest in advising fellow students and providing support related to creative careers
• Awareness of and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion and willingness to support students from diverse backgrounds
• Positive, constructive attitude with problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Organized with a keen attention to detail
• Creative with a desire to lead and implement new ideas
• Good time management
• Ability to work and collaborate with others and be an effective team member
• Applicants must be must be a current undergraduate student at MassArt in excellent academic and good disciplinary standing with the college at the time of application.

BONUS QUALIFICATIONS

Some combination of the following qualifications may be helpful but are not required:

• Visual communication skills, including design & illustration skills or photography/video skills to help with marketing/communications or creating resources
• Research skills
• Any experience related to event planning
• Any previous work or internship experience is helpful, as well as experience with freelance/commission work or making/selling products
• Knowledge of a language other than English may be helpful. (Example: Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Haitian Creole, etc.)

Additional Information:

Please note MassArt:

• Does not support employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship.
• Is not an E-Verify institution.

Selected candidates must be eligible to work in the US at the time of employment, complete all onboarding tasks including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background review and provide proof of eligibility to work in the US by completing the Form 19, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

You are required to show proof of your identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of the start of your employment. You will not be authorized to work in any capacity until all paperwork has been completed. .

Comprehensive Benefits (does not apply to contractor/student positions):
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics?

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class.

MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Application Instructions:

This is a student leadership position,

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application.
Please use your MassArt email address (not a personal email address) for all parts of the application process.

If you are applying for other leadership positions, please rank them here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrXTrmjYWbXLrnHKaXdLf5zuIQZ8QZAagWGcSob6WwXwM7Tw/viewform?usp=header