The California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) was established by the state legislature in 1978. Today, Cal-SOAP is instrumental in improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college.
Today, 16 Cal-SOAP projects operate throughout California by consortia made up of secondary and postsecondary schools and community agencies. Cal-SOAP works in cooperation with other intersegmental outreach programs to avoid service duplication.
The Educational Partnership Center partners with local schools to provide college and career exploration services for students, with the goal of increasing graduation and postsecondary enrollment. Undergraduate student employees are essential in the delivery of EPC services, conducting academic and career advising, tutoring, and assisting in the implementation of college awareness workshops on topics such as A-G requirements, financial aid, and college-going options. Collection and reporting of data is an essential part of all EPC services. In addition to working with students, a minimum of 50% of time for Data and Research Academic Interns focuses on the following services:
- Data collection, entry, analysis and reporting
- Evaluation of collected data, checking for accuracy and sharing results with EPC leadership and partner school staff
- Support the EPC Research and Evaluation team for on-site needs, including potential regular meetings with R&E team for formative feedback and data analysis.
Needed Skills
- Ability to sort, enter, organize, and review data in EPC databases (e.g. Lacai)
- Detail oriented
- Ability to plan short-term and long-term projects
- Ability to create, prepare, and facilitate program presentations for school staff or student audiences, in-person or virtually
- Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and lifestyles – demonstrating sensitivity to their needs
- Ability to write and take clear and organized notes
- Ability to work independently, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff and other college access program representatives
- Strong computer skills: proficient in MS Office Suite, Google Suite (including Excel), and ability to learn and implement new technology
- Ability to take direction and initiative when needed
Preferred Skills
- Experience or interest in data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing [bi-lingual in Spanish and/or Vietnamese strongly desired]
- Possess academic advising and/or mentoring experience, or involvement with one of the following programs: AVID, Cal-SOAP, MESA, GEAR UP, TRiO Talent Search, or EAOP.
Job Duties
- Data collection, entry, analysis and reporting
- Monitor and tracking of Financial Aid application completions
- Act as point person for data collection and reporting on school site
- Provide weekly data reports to larger team
- Research, develop, and present on postsecondary and career pathways
- Motivate and mentor K-12 students
- Serve as a resource to all program participants by providing consistent support services
- Assist in providing academic, college, and career guidance to students on the following topics, including but not limited to: college admissions, financial literacy and completion of financial aid forms, scholarships, verification forms, housing apps, and residency forms
- Assist in organizing workshops for students to help with high school success strategies, financial aid, and exploration of colleges and careers.
- Attend all scheduled training sessions, meetings, and programs (class schedule permitting)
Special Conditions for employment
- Ability to work a minimum of 10 hours per week, M-F and some evenings and weekends as needed.
- Selected candidates must qualify for financial aid (e.g. grants, student loans, work study, etc.).
- Selected candidates will be required to complete a background check (employer provided).
- Selected candidates will be required to take a TB test or provide current verification.
- Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 and maintain good academic standing. (college transcript required to verify).
- Ability to lift 25-30 lbs with or without accommodations.
Compensation
$19.00/hour
Hours per week: 10 - 19.75
Needed Availability
Between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, some evenings/weekends as needed Work Schedule: Subject to applicant class schedule and/or student availability at high school site.
Location
San Jose, CA (in-person)
School Sites
- James Lick High School
- Andrew Hill High School