Undergraduate Admission

Roles

Back to Tour Guides

So that we can welcome guests of all ages, the USC Admission Center recruits students for both paid and volunteer positions. 

Paid Position

USC Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors are the face of the university and serve as paid USC Tour Guides who welcome and introduce guests to the university. Day-to-day responsibilities include giving tours of our University Park Campus in Los Angeles, engaging with guests and answering their questions, and completing office tasks to support the operations of the USC Office of Admission. Shifts often include a combination of giving a campus tour and working in the office at the Admission Center.

Student Ambassadors practice skills ranging from customer service to public speaking in order to present expert information about everything our university has to offer. They are the chief liaisons between prospective students and families and the university. The work they do is essential and important—and fun, too!

In this role, you will complete an intensive, paid training process that will prepare you to:

  • Deliver 90-minute tours of campus to prospective students and their guests, alumni, K-12 students, community-based organizations, and other visitors to the university.
  • Support admission counselors in providing admission presentations both in-person and virtually to various student groups, addressing the importance of higher education and how to apply to USC.
  • Answer guest questions and make tour reservations via in-person interactions and digital communication platforms, including email, phone calls, and online chat functions.
  • Write personalized thank-you notes for tour guests.
  • Provide assistance and staffing for on-campus, off-campus, and virtual admission events.
  • Work alongside professional staff to complete administrative tasks.
  • Complete other duties as assigned, including supporting the training of future student ambassadors.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled undergraduate students in their first, second, or third year of study are welcome to apply. Positions are open to both U.S. and international students. No previous experience is necessary.

We accept applications from students with and without federal work-study awards. Students with federal work-study will receive priority consideration.

Any students interested in working at the Admission Center must be enrolled at USC for the entirety of the 2026-27 academic year. Students who will be abroad or on leave from the university are ineligible to apply.

Additional eligibility requirements may be added and will be reflected in the 2026 Student Ambassador Job Posting.

Important Student Ambassador Considerations

    • Two- semester, paid training program (mid- October through mid- to late March), consisting of eight to twelve (8-12) hours/week, that include:
      • Required Friday Training Sessions from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM during the academic year.
      • Shadow shifts of three (3) hours per week to observe tours, presentations, office tasks, memorize scripts and practice giving tours.  To be completed in the office between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, based on your schedule.
      • Two to four (2-4) asynchronous hours weekly working on memorizing and practicing a full 90-minute script.
      • Required weekly staff meetings on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the academic year.
      • Work a few weekend dates in support of our Open House events – Discover USC in the fall and Explore USC in the spring.
      • Passing regular quizzes and final tour approvals covering tour script content.
    •  Work during academic-year breaks (spring break and summer break). See “2027 Break Availability Requirements” dropdown below for further details.
    • Be available for a minimum of three (3) shifts per week (with the expectation that you will be scheduled a minimum of one [1] shift per week). Shifts are scheduled within the following time blocks:
      • 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM (2.5 hours)
      • 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (3 hours)
      • 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 hours)
    • Attend weekly staff meetings, Wednesdays 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the academic year.
    • Work a few weekend dates in support of our Open House events – Discover USC in the fall and Explore USC in the spring.
    • Provide availability to work during academic-year breaks . See “2027 Break Availability Requirements” below for further details.

  • Due to year-round demand for campus tours, ambassadors are expected to provide availability for and work during academic breaks. Ambassadors will not be expected to work the entirety of any break.

    Spring Break 2027

    All newly hired Student Ambassadors are expected to work a minimum of 1 day Monday-Friday during the 2027 Spring Break (March 15-19, 2027).

    Summer 2027

    Newly hired first-year students are expected to work during their first summer break. This is not required for second- and third-year students but may be a determining factor in hiring decisions.

    You must be available to work full-time Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding university holidays) during one of the following time blocks:

    • Summer Block A Working Dates: Monday, May 24 – Friday, July 2 
      • Move-In: Sunday, May 23 / Move-Out: Saturday, July 3
    • Summer Block B Working Dates: Tuesday, July 6 – Friday, August 6
      • Move-In: Sunday, July 4 / Move-Out: Saturday, August 7

    As part of your compensation, you will be provided housing accommodations in USC shared apartment-style units during your assigned summer block. Additional amenities, such as parking, dining, or access to recreation centers, are not included and remain the sole responsibility of the student.

    Due to the full-time commitment with the Admission Center, students will not be able to work other campus jobs during their assigned block, as they will be working the maximum allowable hours. Additionally, during the assigned summer block’s business hours, you should not pursue external opportunities such as off-campus jobs, internships, research symposiums, conferences, or personal vacations.

    Academic-Year Breaks Beginning Fall 2026

    All continuing Student Ambassadors must provide availability to work a certain number of shifts during academic year breaks (fall, Veterans, Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks). Availability expectations for returning staff are determined annually and will be communicated prior to each academic year.

  • Student Ambassadors are paid minimum wage ($18.42 per hour beginning July 1, 2026).

After a tour, I had a guest come up to me and say that my anecdote about transferring reassured them to apply to transfer to USC—their dream school. They were later accepted, decided to commit, and sent me a very nice message thanking me for sharing my experiences. Definitely the most rewarding part of this job! The training process is long, but the people you meet and the bonds you create make everything worth it.

Kiley Gilbride (she/her)

Volunteer Position

For those looking for a smaller commitment, USC VolunTour Leaders conduct tours through the Tommy’s Tours program. Volunteers:

  • Give 50-minute, age-appropriate group tours to middle and elementary school students.
  • Share their journeys to and through college while inspiring younger students to pursue higher education.
  • Assist in hosting College Day events for elementary and middle school students.
  • Develop professional skills through public speaking and interacting with guests.
  • Learn about USC’s academic programs and campus organizations while making new friends.
  • Attend weekly/bi-weekly meetings and events.
  • Live their dream of being a college tour guide!

Eligibility

All undergraduate students who are not in their final year of study are welcome to apply. No previous experience is necessary. Prior to leading any tours, volunteers participate in a thorough training process.

To learn more, visit the Tommy’s Tours website.