Family Fellows

NOTE: FELLOWSHIPS FOR THE 2024 - 2025 ACADEMIC YEAR HAVE BEEN FILLED

 

Fellowships at the Family Resource Center are professional development experiences (internships) for students at Penn. "Family Fellows" work as part of the Family Center team to support students and post-doctoral fellows with children. Fellows 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.

Participation as a Family Center Fellow is a great opportunity to gain useful professional and leadership experience, meet new people, explore topics of interests, and contribute to the broader Penn experience. Fellows work closely with Center staff and fellows, and collaborate with other offices and groups across Penn. We welcome your application.

General Responsibilities

Family Fellows work with Family Center professional staff in programming or operational roles, and collaborate with other staff and campus centers as appropriate. Some Fellows will develop and coordinate in-person and virtual programming and resources, while other Fellows 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 8-10 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: 

*Family Wellness (Programming)

  • Coordinate events and facilitate activities for families and children: 
    • Family Meet-Ups (ex. Morris Arboretum) 
    • Weekly play & learn activities, celebrations (ex. Sensory Play series) 
    • Local outings (ex. Free Library of Philadelphia, Clark Park) 
    • Ticket sales (ex. museums, shows, concerts) 
  • Collaborate with other family 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 translingual opportunities; topics include: 
    • English language development  
    • Child literacy development and promotion 
    • School readiness, resources, and enrollment 
  • Partner with other family fellows and campus centers to offer or promote education events and resources
  • Track programming data and expenses as part of larger team portfolio

*Administrative/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 purchases as part of larger team portfolio

 

Family Fellow Qualifications

Preferred Family Fellow candidates have event planning experience and 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; general knowledge of the University and support services; customer service skills are also 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 mandated reporter training. 

Eligibility 

  • All full-time degree-seeking Penn graduate & professional students preferred, registered and in good standing for the 2024-25 academic year, with a graduation date of May 2025 or later required.
  • Fellows must be in residence in the Philadelphia area.
  • Family 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.
  • 2024-25 Fellows must be available for training and planning in Spring 2024.

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.

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The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106 or by phone at (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).