2024 Compass Mentor Application
Compass Mentor
Compass Mentors work with 3-4 first-year students who identify as first-generation and/or lower-income. A mentor's main objective is to assist their mentees as they navigate Northwestern, seek out resources, and find community. Mentors do this by facilitating one-on-one meetings and social events for mentees and driving dialogue at weekly workshops. Compass Mentors begin supporting their mentee in the Fall through the end of the academic year.
Compass Mentor Responsibilities
- Provide support to a pod of 3-4 mentors throughout the academic year
- Attend a weekly Team Meeting: Wednesdays | 4- 5:30 PM (this time will remain the same throughout the academic year)
- Assist in the planning and execution of major Compass programming, including: Speed Matching event, Kick Off and Pod Reveal, EOY Celebration and excursions.
- Coordinate and facilitate bi-weekly one-on-one with each mentee to provide support
- Lead, develop and facilitate monthly Compass Friday Workshops | Fridays 2:30 - 4:30 PM
- Plan and execute weekly engagement events for the Compass cohort alongside peers
- Participate in bi-weekly 1:1s with the Compass GA
Important Dates
- Compass Mentor Orientation: Friday, September 20th | 10 AM - 3PM CT (Please plan to arrive to campus by Thursday, 9/19 )
Characteristics of a successful Compass Mentor
- Prioritize position by being timely to all group events and meetings
- Work with and around academic schedule to attend mandatory programming
- Passion for FGLI students and new student needs
- Desire to serve as a role model and mentor
- Desire to foster an inclusive Compass community
- Understanding of how to advocate for self and others
- Able and willing to engage with students in varying academic/social environments
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Positive attitude
- Flexibility
- Organized
Qualifications
- Must identify as a lower-income student
- Must have 3.0 GPA at the time of application
- Must be a full-time second year, third year, or fourth year undergraduate student in good academic and non-academic standing
- Must be on-campus for the 2024-2025 academic year (Students with a local practicum/JR are eligible)
- Strong interest in the support and development of lower-income and/or first-generation college students
Compensation
Mentors will be paid hourly at a $16 rate. They will work up to 8 hrs/week.
Apply
Click HERE to complete the application
Deadline to Apply: April 8th, 2024
Please note that the SES Student Leader Application includes the Compass Mentor and SAW Counselor positions. SES now oversees the Summer Academic Workshop (SAW), a summer bridge program that shares similar goals to the Compass program -supporting FGLI students through their first-year transition to NU. You will be able to select whether you are applying to one or both positions.
Applying involves 2 steps:
- Complete the SES Student Leader Application
- Participate in a Group Interview Process
- Applicants selected to continue in our interview process will be scheduled for an individual interview
Application
The SES Student Leader application collects basic information and has an essay portion. Once the application is submitted you will receive a confirmation email. Please read this email carefully as it provides instructions for a group interview. Below are the essay questions.
Essay Questions
- Tell us why you want to be a Compass Mentor. (100 words)
- Please share your definition of peer mentorship and why it is beneficial for a first-gen and/or lower income (FGLI) first-year? (150 words)
- Write to a new student about an experience, specific to being FGLI, that challenged you during your first year at Northwestern. Please include what you learned and what you would want this new student to take away from your experience. (300 words)
Group Interview
The Group Interviews are scheduled for:
- Monday, April 22nd | 11:30 – 12:45 PM CST
- Tuesday, April 23rd | 5:30 – 6:45 PM CST
- Wednesday, April 24th | 3:00 – 4:15 PM CST
You can select the session you are unavailable for when you complete the SES Student Leader Application. During the group interview you will complete 2 group activities. One will focus on group dynamics and the other on creativity.
Individual Interviews
Successful applicants will be contacted for an individual interview during the week April 29th – May 3rd.
Questions
For questions or more information about the Compass Mentor position, please contact: Braini McKenzie, Assistant Director of Student Enrichment Services, braini@northwestern.edu