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 other 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 a 14-week training process that will prepare you to:

  • Deliver 90-minute tours of campus to prospective students and their families, alumni, K-12 students, community-based organizations, and other visitors to the university.
  • Support admission counselors in giving in-person and virtual admission presentations to school groups, imparting information about the importance of college and what it takes to get there.
  • Share your knowledge, passion, and why you chose and continue to choose USC.
  • Interact with guests via phone and email to make tour reservations and answer questions about the university, student life and the admission process.
  • Gain invaluable experience working in a professional and friendly environment.
  • Write personalized thank-you notes for tour guests.
  • Work alongside professional staff and admission counselors to complete administrative tasks.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled undergraduate students (work-study and non–work-study) who are not in their final year of study are welcome to apply. Positions are open to both U.S. and international students. No previous experience is necessary. Prior to leading any tours, Student Ambassadors receive extensive training over the course of the academic year.

Any students interested in working at the Admission Center must be enrolled at USC for the entirety of the 2024-25 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 2024 Student Ambassador application.

Important Student Ambassador Considerations

    • 14 weeks of paid training (late October through mid- to late March), consisting of ten to twelve (10-12) hours/week, inclusive of:
      • Required Friday Training Sessions from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM during the academic year.
      • Three (3) hours weekly shadow shifts to observe tours, presentations, office tasks, write scripts and practice giving tours.  To be completed in the office between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, based on your schedule.
      • Three to four (3-4) asynchronous hours weekly working on writing, memorizing and practicing a full 90-minute script, approximately 20-30 pages in length, due in early February.
      • Required weekly staff meetings on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the academic year.
      • Mandatory Admission Center office retreat to workshop skills and expectations (takes place in early spring).
      • Passing weekly quizzes and approval on a final tour covering script content.
    • Student Ambassadors in training must work at least 1 day Monday through Friday during the 2025 spring break (March 17–21, 2025).

  • Post-training, Student Ambassadors will be expected to:

    • Provide availability for a minimum of 3 shifts per week.
    • Work 1 to 3 shifts per week, 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 during the Explore USC Open House event taking place on a weekend day in April 2025 (date TBD).
    • Work during academic year breaks (fall, Veterans, Thanksgiving and winter break). See Break Availability Requirements below for further details.

  • The Admission Center provides year-round tours. Therefore all Student Ambassadors are required to work some shifts over academic breaks.

    Spring Break 2025

    Student Ambassadors in training must work at least 1 day Monday through Friday during the 2025 spring break (March 17–21, 2025).

    Summer 2025

    Due to year-round demand for campus tours, all newly trained Student Ambassadors are required to work during their first summer break (there are no exceptions). All new Ambassadors will be required to work Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week (excluding university holidays) from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM during one of the following time blocks:

    • Summer Block A: May 26 to June 20 (housing provided at no cost)
    • Summer Block B: June 23 to July 18 (housing provided at no cost)
    • Summer Block C: July 21 to August 8 (housing provided at no cost)
    • Summer Block D: August 11 to August 22 (no housing provided. Student Ambassador must arrange their own housing)

    For Ambassadors working Summer Block A, B or C, summer housing accommodations include shared rooms in USC apartment style housing. It does not include parking, dining or access to recreation centers. Students will not be able to work other campus jobs during their Summer Block as they will be working the maximum allowable hours. It is also not advised to pursue external opportunities during the assigned Summer Block. Summer Block D does not include USC housing. Ambassadors assigned to Summer Block D will be responsible for their own housing accommodations.

    Academic Year Breaks Beginning Fall 2025

    After training is completed Student Ambassadors are required to provide availability to work during academic breaks including fall, Veterans, Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks. Returning Ambassadors are required to provide availability for at least a portion of winter break.

    Availability requirements are determined annually and will be communicated prior to the start of the academic year. Ambassadors will not be required to work the entirety of breaks.

  • Student Ambassadors are paid minimum wage ($17.28 per hour beginning July 1, 2024).

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(s) events for elementary and middle school students.
  • Develop professional skills through public speaking and interacting with guests.
  • Learn about other academic programs and campus organizations while making new friends.
  • Attend weekly/bi-weekly meetings and club 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 receive eight weeks of training.

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