UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS ECONOMICS STUDY CENTRE 2010 2011 PROGRAM PEER MENTOR PROGRAM: POSITION DESCRIPTION & APPLICATION The Economics Department invites qualified students to apply for the Economics Study Centre Peer Mentor Program. About the Study Centre The Economics Study Centre is located in the Economics Department and staffed by 3 rd and 4 th year students who act as peer mentors to 1 st and 2 nd year Economics and Commerce students. The peer mentors are available on a one to one or study group basis. The Peer Mentor study groups complement tutorials and aid centres staffed by graduate students. The Economics Study Centre welcomes all students to use the facilities as a study lounge. The focus of the Peer Mentor program is on core courses including: Introductory Economics (ECO 100) Intermediate Microeconomics (ECO 200, 204, 206) Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECO 202, 209, 208) Quantitative Methods in Economics (ECO 220, 227) A list of Peer Mentors by specialty and schedule is available at the Study Centre Website. The Centre is open Monday through Friday 1 pm 5 pm during the Fall and Winter semesters and is in Room 110 in the Department of Economics, 150 St. George Street. Peer Mentor: Minimum Requirements, Remuneration, Responsibilities We are seeking Peer Mentors who have the ability to work effectively with first and second year students, staff and faculty. Applicants should be academically successful, demonstrate leadership potential and have a genuine desire to help students succeed within the University environment. Peer Mentors are not expected to be experts. To qualify as a Peer Mentor: By September 2010 you must have completed the following three core Economics courses with a grade of at least an A in each course: o ECO 200 / 204 / 206 o ECO 202 /208 / 209 o ECO 220 / 227 Page 1 of 7
As of September 2010, you must be a 3 rd or 4 th year student in the major or specialists Economics program, or the Commerce program. By September 2010 you must have a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.5 or higher. Exhibit leadership potential and possess excellent communication skills. Be passionate about sharing knowledge about economics, studying strategies and in developing students academic skills. Peer Mentors for the 2010 2011 academic year will be paid at undergraduate TA rate. Peer Mentors are expected to: Hold either a one 4 hour session or two 2 hour sessions each week from October 2010 to April 2011. The Study Centre is open weekdays from 1 5 pm. Attend the Peer Mentor Orientation on Friday October 1 st, 2010 Serve as a role model for 1 st and 2 nd year students and act as a representative of the University of Toronto Become familiar with the needs of students, develop a rapport with students, facilitate one on one and group discussions and meet with the staff and faculty advisors to plan study group topics and activities Be available to students whom you meet in the Study Centre, responding accurately and promptly to queries and concerns Become knowledgeable about academic resources Notify the Staff Advisor of any student in difficulty and refer students to appropriate resources. Maintain a session log to be submitted electronically to the Staff Advisor. Administer evaluations of the Study Centre program, and respond appropriately to feedback and evaluations Submit written reflections in December and April to the Staff Advisor. Evaluate and provide constructive feedback on your learning experience as a Peer Mentor. To apply, candidates should submit the application below by 3 pm Friday August 13, 2010. Qualified applicants will be selected and interviewed by a committee of Staff and Faculty. The interview dates are Thursday, September 23 rd and Friday September 24 th 2010. Page 2 of 7
CONTACT US Jenny Fan Staff Advisor Room 134, Department of Economics Email: jenfan@chass.utoronto.ca Phone: 416 978 4188 Ajaz Hussain Faculty Advisor Room 212, Department of Economics Email: sayed.hussain@utoronto.ca Phone: 416 978 4965 HOW TO APPLY To apply for the Peer Mentor position, please submit two sets of the following documents: The following application, signed and dated A one page resume A printed copy of your academic history from ROSI. You do not need to submit an official transcript Please submit these in person or by postal mail to: Shakibullah Tayeb Receptionist Department of Economics Room 146, Max Gluskin House 150 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G7 The Economics reception is open Monday to Friday from 9 am 4:30 pm. The deadline is 3 pm, Friday, August 13, 2010. Page 3 of 7
ECONOMICS STUDY CENTRE PEER MENTOR APPLICATION 2009-2010 PERSONAL INFORMATION I was a Peer Mentor in 2009 2010 year: Yes No Name Student Number College Program of Study Expected Graduation (Month/Year) U Toronto E mail Current Mailing Address Summer Mailing Address Current Phone Number Summer Phone Number Cell Phone Number Will you be able to hold either one 4 hours session or two 2 hours sessions per week? Yes No Page 4 of 7
QUESTIONS 1. What is the role a Peer Mentor for the Economics Study Centre? 2. Describe any experiences you have had facilitating, or leading students, as well as any experiences you hope to gain from this position. Page 5 of 7
3. What is your understanding of student experience with the first and second year Economics courses, and how can the Study Centre play a positive role? 4. What do you bring to the Study Centre that makes you different from your peers? Please highlight how your specific accomplishments, abilities, and interests would contribute to the success of students participating in the Study Centre. Page 6 of 7
REFERENCES Please submit contact information for two individuals who are in a good position to assess your suitability for this position. Please make sure you contact them ahead of time to tell them about this position and get their permission to serve as a referee. Please do not submit reference letters. Name Referee 1 Phone E mail Title/Position Organization Relationship Name Referee 2 Phone E mail Title/Position Organization Relationship I have read and understood the job description and expectations from a Peer Mentor in the Economics Study Centre Program. I hereby declare that the information in this application is accurate. I understand that the information may be verified and a false statement may disqualify me from this position. Signature Date Page 7 of 7