A resume and cover letter are required. 

Please provide a thoughtful response to one of the questions below. Your response should be no more than one page and should be submitted as your cover letter.  

1. Imagine yourself 40 years from now. You have been invited to an event where you will be presented with an award for your professional contributions. What will the presenter say about you? What types of accomplishments will you have achieved? What strengths will they highlight? What words will they use to describe you?
2. Think about your skills and strengths. Imagine you have just been hired as the CEO of a company and you must choose four people with different strengths and skill sets to be your advisors.  Who will you choose and why? The people you choose can be real or imagined and do not have to have any relevant professional experience.
3. You've been asked to contribute to a textbook for middle school students about performing common household tasks. You must choose a topic from the options below and explain how to complete that task. In addition to providing the step-by-step process, include any additional information you think they should know about the task, such as why this task is important or how frequently this task should be completed.

• Cleaning the kitchen
• Cleaning the living room
• Mowing the lawn
• Washing clothes
• Washing the family pet
• Making spaghetti (or other simple family favorite!) for the family
   

The Student Advising and Resource Team (START) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is looking for a Peer Advisor for Learning and Success, also known as PALS, for the Fall 2026-Winter 2027 academic year. PALS are peer advisors who work with all undergraduate students from all majors to develop strategies for academic success. PALS primarily offers one-on-one support to students and occasionally hosts and co-hosts events across campus.
Anticipated start date: August 31, 2026. 
Please note: PALS is an in-person position, however, the option of working remotely may be considered and is dependent on the needs of the program.
 

• Providing outreach to students who are referred to PALS by their advisor or professor
• Consulting with students about their current academic strategies and developing personalized academic success plans that complement their schedule, degree program, and learning style
• Following-up with students and providing additional support and resources if needed
• Creating academic success resources to share with students, faculty, and staff across campus
• Developing programs and events that showcase our services and connect students with campus resources
• Working as a team to find new ways to support students and student supporters
   

• A desire to help others
• Accountability, integrity, and self motivation with regard to one's actions and responsibilities
• Ability to work as part of a team, including a willingness to coordinate time with PALS and other campus partners to work on projects throughout the week 
• Innovation, creativity, and initiative 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite 
• Knowledge of campus resources and how to navigate the UM-Dearborn website
   

• Sophomore-Senior standing
• 3.0 GPA or higher
• Ability to work the full academic year 
• Prior customer service or student club/organization experience
   

• Critical thinking/problem solving -  accurately interpret and summarize information shared by students and ability to create an appropriate action plan

• Communication - frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences

• Teamwork/collaboration - employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others

• Technology -  identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks

• Leadership - motivate and inspire others through encouragement and by building mutual trust

• Professionalism/work ethic - demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings)

• Career and self development - identify personal areas of growth and share with your supervisor and team so they can support your development goals

• Equity and inclusion -  keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking
   

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.