Job Type
UBC Vancouver Work Learn Program
Number of Openings
4
Number of hours: 150 per student
Dates: July 15-Aug 15 2023
Description
Job Description:
Under the supervision of the Integrated Sciences Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) Coordinator the International Student Leader will be responsible for providing classroom support and helping plan and implement social and cultural activities for visiting international students enroled in the Integrated Sciences (Faculty of Science) Vancouver Summer Program.
Supervision:
The International Student Leader will be supervised directly by the VSP Coordinator (a staff member at UBC).
Sample Duties:
a) Organize and assist in leading group activities aimed at exposing international summer students to Canadian culture.
b) Assist with courses by performing tasks such as preparing course materials and handouts.
c) Coordinate opportunities for current UBC students to interact with international students who are specializing in similar areas.
d) Share their own UBC experience with other students.
e) Respond to various forms of student inquiries in person, via e-mail, social media, and by phone in a timely and professional manner.
f) Develop relationships with students to ensure approachability and resourcefulness, and to foster community and inclusion.
g) Direct international students to campus resources as appropriate.
h) Meet with the Integrated Sciences Student Association and EOAS student associations, International House and other campus and community organizations to gather feedback in order to evaluate options and make recommendations for orientation and social activities.
Complexity of Tasks:
Tasks will be of a moderately complex nature, requiring the ability to research and be familiar with the UBC Vancouver campus and a variety of cultural activities and events in Vancouver. The assistant must have the ability to organize and help lead a group of students and volunteers. The student leader should be able to advise on student support services on campus, interpret and assess student inquiries and concerns, and advise or refer students to appropriate resources.
Qualifications
Previous Skills & Knowledge:
Excellent communication and presentation skills, professional approach in email, telephone and face-to-face communication, and active listening skills
Experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds/cultures in a calm and respectful manner
Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion when dealing with confidential information
Competency with office computer skills (MS Word, Excel, internet and e-mail)
Demonstrated time-management skills with the ability to meet deadlines
Basic knowledge of science topics (has successfully completed 1st year science courses)
Basic knowledge of university services (in order to answer questions anticipated from international students)
Education Level:
Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student within the Faculty of Science in good academic standing (preferably in years 3 or 4).
Fit for Position:
Has an outgoing personality and enjoys interacting with others
Is a patient listener who is able to identify a student's immediate information needs
Enjoys problem-solving and collaboration in a team setting
Is interested in reflecting on classroom learning and other UBC experiences
Is interested in learning about other cultures
Faculty/VP
Faculty of Science
UBC Department
Integrated Sciences
Hours Per Week
18-20
Salary / Wage
19.25
Preferred Degrees/Disciplines
Computer Science/IT, Science/Environment/Agriculture, Health Sciences, Arts/Social Sciences, Human Kinetics/Kinesiology
Additional Documents (preferred)
Cover Letter, Class Schedule
Anticipated Start Date
July 15, 2023
Experience Level
Current Students in an Undergraduate Program, Current Students in a Masters Program
ID
962702
Supervisor
Mary Anne Lyons
Organization Type
UBC Faculty, Department, Unit or Student Group
Contributions to University Community & Student Learning Components (UBC Vancouver Work Learn Program)
Contribution to University Community
Unit Goals:
The Faculty of Science Vancouver Summer Program is an academic program for cohorts of students from partner universities to study at UBC. The program provides the opportunity for cooperating universities to organize groups of students to take two academic courses in the Faculty of Science at UBC while learning about Canadian practices and culture.
Position in relation to the Goals of the Program:
This position relates directly to the goals of our unit (listed above) by promoting and facilitating interactions amongst international visiting students and UBC faculty, staff, and students. The student leader will be an important contributor to the overall experience that the visiting students have at UBC and in Vancouver.
Student Learning Components
Orientation and Training
Training and orientation will be provided by the Vancouver Summer Program Coordinator. The VSP Coordinator will also provide on-going feedback and support. A manual will be provided to the student for reference regarding the Vancouver Summer Program as well as general information about the university and its services. The student leader will receive training about the VSP science programs and how to research and provide information to others from the VSP coordinator and course instructors.
The student leader will receive formal training on providing campus tours.
Feedback and Support
Weekly meetings with the VSP coordinator who will be available on-site to answer questions and provide guidance as needed. A mid-term assessment will be completed to provide feedback to both the VSP coordinator and student leader.
Encouragement and support for Reflection:
In order to promote reflection the student leader and VSP coordinator will conduct a mid-point performance evaluation using the forms (Self-Assessment and Open-ended reflection questions) provided by the Work Learn Program. The VSP coordinator will also discuss aspects of the position with the assistant in order to promote reflection.
Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
The student leader will interact with visiting science students, UBC students, faculty and staff at UBC and the general public. The assistant will often interact with other members of the Faculty of Science including the Integrated Sciences program Director, faculty Instructors and faculty Advisors as well as individuals in various support services on campus. These interactions will provide a wide range of mentorship possibilities. These contacts will be a great way for the student to learn about other fields in science and the different types of jobs that are available in a university setting. These contacts could help secure further research positions or help in future job searches.
Personal and Professional Development
In general the position will enhance the student's attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, organizational, research and customer service skills. Interactions with staff and faculty at UBC will allow the student to expand his or her educational and professional networks, possibly facilitating future research or administrative appointments. The role will provide an opportunity to learn about organizational requirements for a summer international program. When interacting with international students the student leader will be able to learn about other cultures from their interactions with the visiting students. Overall the student will gain a greater understanding of the University, the programs within it, and its relationship with other universities.
How this position complements classroom learning:
By working with international students and helping organize events the student leader will enhance his or her attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, organizational, research and social skills (all important qualities necessary for classroom learning). The role will provide an opportunity to learn about what it's like to study science at other universities and may influence future educational choices (going on exchange, potential graduate studies at an international university). Research and networking skills that can be utilized in future studies will be an important quality gleaned from this position.
Workplace skills, graduate competencies and networking opportunities:
The position will help in developing organizational skills that will be necessary in both the workplace and in current/future studies. The student leader will be able to build on Customer service skills that will be useful in future careers. Leadership and motivational/coaching skills will also be enhanced through interactions with visiting students. The student leader will make connections with other students from around the world vastly increasing their social and professional networks. Through interactions with faculty and staff the student will build lifelong connections to professionals in various fields.