Carnegie Mellon University

Become an Academic Coach

Academic Coaches (ACs) are students who partner with their peers to develop academic skills, behaviors, and habits that contribute to success at Carnegie Mellon.The Academic Coaching Program offers one-on-one peer support, drop-in support, and group workshops that assist students with identifying, developing, and implementing new academic skills. Coaches support students holistically with goal setting, learning strategies, time management and organizational skills, self-regulation and self-efficacy. Academic Coaches typically work 5 - 10 hours per week

What does an Academic Coach do?

Supports undergraduate students with

  • improving time management
  • forming productive habits
  • creating an organizational system
  • improving stress management
  • developing study skills

supports graduate students with

  • Managing their time by balancing coursework, research and professional development opportunities
  • Applying for jobs and internships
  • Techniques for comprehending course content
  • Maintaining accountability
  • Avoiding procrastination
  • Managing priorities
  • Becoming more productive
  • Preparing for exams

Additional opportunities

  • There are also potential opportunities for ACs to work with international students in individual meetings to help develop fluency through conversation and provide feedback on the English language skills of multilingual students.
  • Our student staff can also work in projects for service, outreach, and research for the SASC office.

The benefits of being an Academic Coach

  • Develops leadership and interpersonal communication skills
  • Improve your own study skills while helping other students to improve theirs
  • Developing career competencies that prepare you for successful transition into your future workplace
  • Gain satisfaction from helping other students to succeed academically
  • Paid campus position after training
  • Flexible work schedule

Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled CMU student
  • Minimum QPA of 3.0 or bachelor’s degree in the discipline
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Good organizational and time management skills
  • A commitment to helping other students learn
  • Satisfactory completion of training program

Training

Components

  1. Orientation
  2. Weekly shadowing
  3. Weekly reflection and connection
  4. Approx 3 hrs per week for 10 weeks

Application Process

All applicants will need to submit an application, including an unofficial academic record.

Submit an Application