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RTA Summer Job Positions - Now Accepting Applications for SAAST2012

Penn Engineering offers the opportunity for current undergraduates and graduates to take on leadership roles in our summer program for high school students. The Summer Academy in Applied Science and Technology (SAAST) offers rigorous, intensive, and fun three-week courses in five subject areas: Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, and Robotics. For more information about the program, review this website.

SAAST is looking for talented Penn students who have completed at least their freshman year to serve as Residential Advisor/Teaching Assistants (RTAs), to help guide and enrich the experience of the SAAST students. RTAs assist the instructor in the classroom every day, offer extra assistance to the students in the program outside of classroom hours and help organize social and cultural activities. As staff members in a residential, academically challenging program, RTAs will take on many roles: educator, mentor, group leader, and role model.

Qualifications: RTAs will be rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or May ’12 grads, preferably in the School of Engineering, with some coursework or other expertise in the program area to which they apply. Experience in a residential leadership position is a plus. Graduate students are also welcome to apply.

Time commitment: RTAs spend three and a half weeks as full time members of the SAAST staff: July 5-28, 2012, plus up to 25 hours preparing for or wrapping up the program, for a total of four weeks. During the program, RTAs are in the classroom or on duty 24 hours a day, with one weekend day off per week. RTAs may not have other jobs or commitments during the program period, including Summer Session II classes.

Specific Responsibilities:
• Prepare for SAAST classes as directed by the Program Instructor
• Assist Program Instructor during classes; organize extra study and lab sessions; be generally available for extra help outside of class
• Live with SAAST participants in designated housing assignments and work with the Residential Director to plan and implement social and cultural activities, and to ensure the safety and well-being of the students
• Serve as residential staff for move-in and move-out, including pick-ups at the airport and train station
• Accompany participants on all educational, social, and cultural field trips

Compensation: RTAs will receive room and board during the program and will be paid a total stipend of $2,500.

To apply: Please submit a letter of interest and resume. In your letter, please briefly discuss why you wish to be an RTA (be sure to indicate the subject area of interest), highlighting the background and preparation that makes you an ideal candidate. Email your cover letter and resume (PDF preferred) to Paige Harker, harkerp@seas.upenn.edu. Your last AND first name should be included in any file names (e.g., SmithJohn_Resume.pdf and SmithJohn_Letter.pdf).

Attn: SAAST
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Office of Academic Programs
220 S. 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6391
USA