Skip to main content
First-Year Experience

BECOME A FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE PEER MENTOR

Thank you for your interest in becoming a First-Year Peer Mentor. Applications are currently closed but will re-open May 1, 2024.

Recommend a peer mentor

The vision of the Office of First-Year Experience is that first-year students find their academic home built on a foundation of Jesus Christ. 

First-Year Mentoring is a key part of a university-wide initiative to strengthen students at BYU. It provides all admitted first-year students the opportunity for valuable peer mentor support. The role of a peer mentor is to lead students to greater success by encouraging learning, inspiring reflection, and building relationships through consistent and focused effort.

EXPECTATIONS OF PEER MENTORS

Beginning in Fall 2024, Peer Mentors will be assigned to mentor students in the UNIV 101 Foundations for Student Success course and returning second-semester students.

The May 2024 hiring round will be unique because the requirements will be adjusted to allow applicants who have completed ONE major semester AND:

  • Completed UNIV 101 and received full credit.
  • Received one of their application letters of recommendation from their UNIV 101 professor OR peer mentor.
  • Earned a 3.0 GPA or higher.

An offer to become a peer mentor is contingent on the applicant's ability to match their schedule with a section of UNIV 101.

First-Year Peer Mentors are trained and expected to provide support in the following ways:

  • Help students find their academic home by providing individualized academic, social, and personal support to all first-year students  

  • Work collaboratively with faculty members to: 

    • Provide opportunities for the success of the individual student 
    • Identify and partner with faculty to help at-risk or struggling students 
    • Prepare and lead classroom discussions and activities 
    • Develop meaningful relationships with students inside and outside of class 
    • Connect students with the campus community, and resources necessary to help them thrive 

  • Work with all first-year students to: 

    • Promote healthy academic mindsets and habits  
    • Encourage reflection and personal development  
    • Empower students to make and achieve personal goals  
    • Connect students to resources and help them become involved on campus  

JOB SUMMARY

Continue reading for job details.

  • Pay is $15.00 / hour
  • Peer mentors work approximately 15-20 hours per week
  • There are 155 positions available
  • Preference is given to applicants who can work two consecutive major semesters

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

  • Have earned and maintain a 3.0 GPA or above 
  • Dress and Grooming Standards 

PEER MENTOR JOB REQUIREMENTS

First-Year Peer Mentors must meet the following requirements to be considered:

  • Must be available to attend UNIV 101 sections as matched and assigned
  • Taking between 12 -15 credit hours during Fall/Winter semesters (supervisor approval can be given to take more than 15 credits on a case-by-case basis)
  • Matriculated BYU students (on-campus in Provo, Utah)  
  • Completed two major semesters in either Fall/Winter or Winter/Fall at BYU 
    • Majority of coursework was completed on-campus  
    • Applicants may apply during their second major semester at BYU 
  • Spring/Summer peer mentors must be eligible to take classes and take no more than six credit hours during Spring/Summer semesters 
  • Understanding of Learning Suite and/or Canvas 
  • Access to personal laptops and cell phone  

REQUIRED TRAINING


Peer Mentors ARE REQUIRED to complete and are paid to participate and fully engage in all preparatory (pre-semester) and current (during the semester) trainings:
  • Kick-off Spring Training: (At the end of Winter Semester during Reading Day, time TBA)
    • Thursday, April 18, 2024 
  • Fall Training 
    • Wednesday, August 21 – Friday, August 23 
    • Monday, August 26 – Wednesday, August 28
  • New Student Orientation
    • Thursday, August 29 – Friday, August 30
    • Tuesday, September 3
  • Spring/Summer online training: (2-3 hours per week) full completion of online modules 
  • Thursday Training Meetings: weekly every Thursday, 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. or 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. 
  • Attend required weekly trainings, meetings, and hub hours totaling 3-4 hours per week, including, but not limited to, Student Success Training, Co-Mentor Meeting, One-on-One Meetings, Hub Hours, etc. 
  • Faculty and peer mentor combined trainings as recommended by supervisors: 1-2 hours per month 

RESPONSIBILITIES


  • Attends assigned UNIV 101 section as matched and assigned
  • Work at least 15 hours per week (no more than 20)  
  • Build a mentoring relationship with each assigned student  
  • Meet students one-on-one throughout the semester to discuss their concerns, student experience, etc. 
  • Meet with faculty once a week (preferably – but flexible depending on faculty needs)  
  • Send weekly emails and other emails to students  
  • Provide student support in the Library Hub for 1-2 hours per week  
  • Attend a bi-weekly one-on-one meeting with a Coordinator or Supervisor 
  • Connect with and lead student group during New Student Orientation  
  • Documents efforts and student outreach using internal software systems regularly
  • Meets deadlines regularly 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS OF A PEER MENTOR CANDIDATE


The following are characteristic qualifications we seek in peer mentor candidates. To understand more about these qualifications CLICK HERE.
  • Displays Genuine Care and Concern for Others
  • Academic Excellence and Support of BYU AIMS and Support of GE
  • Values and understands the importance of General Education (GE) courses and outcomes at BYU 
  • Responsible, Accountable, and Proactive
  • Emotional Intelligence and Maturity
  • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
  • Improvement Minded/Lifelong Learner
  • Leadership/Teamwork

APPLY TO BECOME A PEER MENTOR


All parts of the application must be completed and received, including letters of recommendation, before the application is considered.
  1. Read and agree to the First-Year Peer Mentor Requirements, Qualifications, and Responsibilities 
  2. Part A: Applicant Information 
  3. Part B: Letters of recommendation: Request a letter of recommendation from two different people; a general letter of recommendation and an academic recommendation. 
    a. General letter of recommendation: This should be completed by an individual who knows you well and can comment on your character, maturity, initiative, ability to relate to others, etc.   
    b. Academic letter of recommendation: This should be completed by a teacher, professor, academic advisor/counselor who can speak directly about your abilities to succeed as a student. 

SELECTION PROCESS


All applications are reviewed by the First-Year Peer Mentor Selection Committee. Invitations for interviews are extended to qualified candidates. For questions about applications or hiring, email Deborah_Hall@byu.edu.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A PEER MENTOR

  • Help new students have a positive experience
  • Strengthen your own academic and leadership skills while you earn extra money
  • Strengthen your resume for future jobs or grad school applications
  • Get involved on campus and meet new people
  • Work closely with a faculty member who could provide a letter of recommendation in the future

OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS

The role of the peer mentor spans beyond the classroom experience. Peer mentors strive to provide experiences and mentorship that allow students to:

  • Feel they can be successful at BYU and have a feeling or sense of academic belonging 
  • See themselves as a scholar of faith, learning how to navigate hard things 
  • Feel they are an individual who is part of and can contribute to the BYU community 
  • Thrive because they know how to ask questions and where to go to get support regardless of where they are on their academic journey