PAA Job Description

Advising offices across campus invite interested and qualified students to apply for the position of Peer Academic Advisor (PAA).  PAAs in the upcoming application cycle will serve for the entire 2025-2026 academic year and are expected to participate in the training offered during Spring Quarter 2025 and prior to Welcome Week in September 2025, in preparation for Welcome Week activities.  Please note that many hiring offices also require work during Summer 2025.

Peer Academic Advisors (PAA) hold office hours and advise students about UCI, academic programs (majors, minors, or honors), and various campus resources. PAAs typically work as a team in each advising office and may be asked to develop and implement additional co-curricular programs and activities relative to the advising program in the school where they work.

Please note, additional duties are required for PAAs in the Campuswide Honors Collegium.  See the Honors PAA Job Description on their website.

Role and Responsibilities

The PAA role and responsibilities may vary according to the hiring advising office in each academic unit.  However, the following responsibilities apply to all PAAs:

• Counsel undergraduate students on major selection, class scheduling, resource referrals, etc.
• Provide information to students regarding program curriculum and policies, including enrollment exceptions and change of major processes.
• Maintain awareness of
  • Current course offerings and programs;
  • Major, academic unit, and UCI requirements;
  • University resources and support services; and
  • Campus or school deadlines and policies.
• Be a strong advocate for UCI and its students.
• Maintain an accurate record of students served through online tally system.
• Provide assistance for special projects in the individual advising office.
• Offer assistance and consultation to campus organizations.
• Serve as a liaison between administrative personnel, faculty, and students in resolving academic advising concerns or problems; referring students as needed.
• Convey student concerns/issues to supervisor or other staff, as appropriate.
• Participate in all training seminars prior to employment (campuswide and in the hiring office), as well as ongoing training and team development throughout the year.
• Participate as a member of the campuswide PAA Program to meet regularly with other campus PAAs, make recommendations for advising improvements, discuss advising issues, and receive further training as necessary.

Competencies to be Acquired

As a PAA, you have the opportunity to learn and develop competencies including:

• Experience in paraprofessional counseling on an individual and group basis
• Communication and public speaking skills
• Problem-solving and teamwork skills working as a part of the professional University staff
• Increased awareness of University services and academic program operations
• Cross- and Inter-cultural fluency working with the diverse University population
• Enhancement of leadership, organization, and professional skills
• Increased familiarity and experience with office technology using a variety of systems throughout the role

Mandatory Training and Time Commitments

Spring 2025

• New PAA Training: Every Thursday, 5-7 p.m. (yes, all 10 weeks!)  Please note, these weekly training hours are paid.
• Additional hours (to be determined) reviewing training materials, shadowing current PAAs in the hiring office, and attending training conducted by the hiring office.

Summer 2025

• Support at New Student Orientation (SPOP) sessions.
• General advising for summer enrolled and other continuing UCI students.
• Commitments vary by office, please consult the hiring office for details.

Welcome Week 2025

• Fall Refresher Training: Friday, September 19, 2025
• Convocation Ushering: Monday, September 22, 2025
• Advising hours in hiring office

Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026

• Fulfilling PAA duties 10 hours/week, including meeting with students and working on projects as directed by the supervisor in the hiring office.
• Participation in All PAA meetings: currently held during Weeks 3 and 8 of the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.
• Participation in volunteer and paid PAA hours for Academic Integrity Hearings, Residence Hall Advising, and other service as needed.

Salary

New Peer Academic Advisors are expected to be paid $16.00/hour for the 2025-2026 academic year, pending budget approval.

Returning Lead Peer Academic Advisors are expected to be paid $17.00/hour for the 2025-2026 academic year, pending budget approval.

Information Sessions

The PAA Program held an information session for the current application cycle on Wednesday, December 4 at 4pm (on zoom).

You can view the recording and/or presentation slides the information session using the links below:

• 2025-2026 Application: Information Session Zoom Recording 
• 2025-2026 Application: Information Session Slides

Individual Advising Offices may also schedule information sessions specific to their school/program.

Additional Information

The Peer Academic Advising Program is committed to serving the diverse population of students at UCI by mirroring this diversity in our cohort of Peer Academic Advisors. We seek to employ students of different backgrounds and experiences, and will consider all applicants who are passionate and qualified, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics.

For information about eligibility and the process to become a PAA, please review the Become a Peer Academic Advisor page.

For additional information about the application process, you can also review the Application FAQs.

Program Staff

If you still have questions about the application process or position, please contact the PAA Program at peeradvising@uci.edu

Sydney Thuy-Trang Nguyen, 2024-2025 PAA Program Coordinator
Sugeily Angulo-Limon, 2024-2025 PAA Program Assistant
Kelly Pham, 2024-2025 PAA Program Assistant
Heather Cartagena, PAA Program Director