Family Fellows

NOTE: MSW-Macro students seeking practicum placement
for 2025 - 2026 should apply through the link at the bottom of this page.

Fellowships at the Family Resource Center are professional development experiences (internships) for current graduate and professional students at Penn.

"Family Fellows" work as part of the Family Center team to support on-going and new initiatives for students and post-doctoral fellows with children. Family Fellows help manage the day-to-day operations of the Family Center. They also collaborate on program development, communications, and administrative duties in the Family Center. Fellows actively contribute to the Family Center’s mission: to serve as a hub for information, resources, activities and advocacy for students and post-doctoral fellows with children.

Engagement as a Family Fellow is an opportunity to gain practical and applicable professional skills and leadership experience, meet new people, and contribute to the broader Penn experience for families. Fellows work closely with Family Center full-time staff, and also collaborate with other offices and groups across Penn. 

We welcome your application!

General Responsibilities

Family Fellows operate as a part of a team to staff the physical facility, coordinate programming, and collaborate with other university staff and local partners to support Family Center families.

Some Fellows will develop and coordinate in-person and virtual programming and resources, while other Fellows may create promotional materials and connect families with external resources. All Fellows are responsible for staffing the Family Center desk -- checking in families, enforcing safety policies, keeping the area tidy, and answering phones and questions from guests.

Fellows work on an hourly basis and are typically expected to work 6-10 hours per week. The time commitment is generally flexible enough to accommodate various lab, coursework, clinical, research, and teaching schedules. However, some evening and weekend hours will be required, depending on the programming area and Center needs.

Focus Areas and Key Duties: 

*Wellness (Programming)

  • Balances a range of activities and events that are fun, supportive, and/or health-focused.
  • Coordinate events and facilitate activities for families and children: 
    • Family Meet-Ups (ex. annual visit to the Morris Arboretum) 
    • Weekly play & learn activities, celebrations (ex. Sensory Play series) 
    • Local outings (ex. walks to the Free Library of Philadelphia or Clark Park) 
    • Ticket giveaways/sales (ex. visit to a museum, show, concert) 
  • Collaborate with other Fellows, staff, and campus partners to offer or promote family-friendly events and resources
  • Track programming data and expenses as part of larger team portfolio

*Education (Programming)

  • Manage the English Lessons program (multiple levels of weekly classes in the Fall and Spring semesters)
    • Provide direct support and communications with TESOL students who serve as instructors
    • Facilitate hiring process for incoming instructors
  • Support events and workshops for parents and children that promote education and are responsive to family needs; topics include: 
    • Child literacy development and promotion 
    • School readiness, resources, and enrollment 
  • Partner with other Fellows and campus centers to offer or promote education events and resources
  • Track programming data and expenses as part of larger team portfolio

*Communications 

  • Create and post social media content supportive of Family Center programming and resources 
  • Work with full-time staff on strategic outreach and partner communications
  • Help monitor and develop partner and member engagement methods within in-person and online modalities
  • Support the general family programming and assist with Family Center events
  • Promote family-friendly resources happening on-campus or in local neighborhoods
  • Support data tracking of communications projects as part of larger team portfolio

 

Family Fellow Qualifications

Preferred Family Fellow candidates have event planning experience, a background working with families and children, and are comfortable using various social media platforms to further engage our audience. Organization, time management and a willingness to learn are expected, as well as general knowledge of the University and support services. Practiced customer service skills are preferred. 

Family Fellows are required to occasionally work events in the evenings and on the weekends.

Any newly hired Family Fellow will be subject to a background check and must complete required orientations and trainings. 

Eligibility 

  • All full-time degree-seeking Penn graduate & professional students preferred.
  • Must be registered and in good standing for the 2025-26 academic year, with a graduation date of May 2026 or later required.
  • Family Fellows must be in residence in the Philadelphia area.
  • Fellows may serve multiple years. Current or previous Fellows can apply separately for a position renewal each year. A Fellow can be dismissed prior to the end of the appointment for failing to meet performance expectations.
  • 2025-26 Fellows must be available for training and planning in Spring 2025.

Compensation

Fellows receive $20 per hour. Please be aware that if you are employed at more than one campus job, you cannot work more than 20 hours per week in total if you are currently enrolled in classes per University policy. 

Application Process

Any student who is currently and will be registered as a University of Pennsylvania graduate or professional student during the current academic year is eligible to apply for a Fellow position.

Apply Now

 

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