Near Peer Success Coaches will provide students with relevant information regarding the benefits of a postsecondary education, career planning and understanding financial aid processes.
Near Peer Coaches will support students as they make the transition from high school to a postsecondary education institution.
Near Peer Success Coaches serve part-time and focus on advising students, especially those from low-income backgrounds.
Service Activities
o Interact on a daily basis with students in the assigned site to provide relevant information about postsecondary education and the college choice/financial aid processes:
o Engage the student in career development activities
o Encourage each student to consider a broad range of appropriate college choices
o Develop a comprehensive college timeline, including application deadlines for admission and financial aid for each student
o Help each student complete and submit enrollment, registration and financial aid applications
o Facilitate the completion of Earn to Learn FL Personal Finance Training
o Support the completion of the postsecondary workbook
o Assist each student in interpreting correspondence from colleges, including offers of admission and financial aid
Community Need Addressed
Earn to Learn FL, in partnership with Volunteer Florida, recruits, trains and deploys AmeriCorps members to provide near peer success coaching to economically disadvantaged students in the areas of postsecondary access, personal finance training, and career planning.
Position Outcomes
Near peer coaching for postsecondary success supports student preparation for postsecondary pursuit of a non-degree award (career & technical education), associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or advanced degree.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Training
Education Benefits
CPR, First Aid, FERPA, Personal Finance Training
Skills you will gain
Workshop development, communication and public speaking
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment