Thank you for your interest in working with us. Please review the information below to learn more about the Peer Adviser position! We are currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications are due by Sunday, January 25th at 11:59pm PST.
Position Description
Department Description
Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising (UAA Advising) is a centralized advising office that serves all new and current pre-major UW Seattle students, returning UW students, and prospective transfer students. As educators, advisers guide and support students in exploring, questioning, and navigating the events and significance of their undergraduate education.
At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, and strive to create an inclusive learning environment with students.
Position Description
Under the guidance of UAA Academic Advisers, Peer Advisers will have the following responsibilities:
- Provide one-on-one drop-in advising to undergraduate students
- Manage the office’s high-volume email account, responding to and fielding questions from current and prospective students
- Help students navigate and gain awareness and understanding of UW registration policies, general degree requirements, and the Areas of Inquiry
- Guide students in accessing the many academic resources available at the UW such as MyPlan, DARS, and Academic Support Programs
- Support students with course scheduling and registration
- Provide appropriate referrals to departmental advisers and campus offices (such as Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, LiveWell, etc.)
- Learn, understand, and interpret Federal, State, and University rules and regulations
- Complete administrative responsibilities including the creation of marketing materials, presentations, and data entry
- Special projects as assigned
Pay rate: Hourly Wage: $21.30 per hour
Hours: Average of 10 hours per week
- Peer Advisers will each work an average of 10 hours per week with a weekly 30-60 minute staff meeting.
- Higher volume times such as registration periods will require 12-15 hours per week.
- Schedules will vary from quarter to quarter based upon availability and class schedule.
- Schedules are provided at the start of each quarter.
Work location: Mary Gates Hall 141
Supervised by: Alex Plant, Lead Academic Adviser
The University of Washington prohibits discrimination in all programs and activities, including education, employment, and patient care, based on an individual’s actual or perceived protected characteristics. Protected characteristics include but are not limited to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Upon learning of conduct that may constitute discrimination, the University will take prompt and effective action to address it, remedy its effects, and prevent recurrence.
Executive Order No. 81, its companion procedures, and the Student Conduct Code prohibit discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct and provide procedures for addressing reports and complaints.
Inquiries about Title VI, VII, IX, ADA and Section 504 may be referred to the University’s Civil Rights Compliance Office, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To report information or make a complaint about conduct that may constitute discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, make a Civil Rights &Title IX Report, or email or call the Civil Rights Compliance Office.
Civil Rights Compliance Office
Valery Richardson, AVP for Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
4320 Brooklynn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
206-221-7932 | civilrights@uw.eduThe University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or dso@uw.edu.
Dates and Commitments
Paid employment term: April 6, 2026 - June 11, 2027
Spring Quarter 2026
Mandatory Staff Training (in person, on campus)
- Mondays 2:30-4:20, April 6, 2026 - June 1, 2026
- No training on Monday, May 25th
September 21-25, 2026
Mandatory Staff Training and Shadowing (in person, on campus)
- Monday & Tuesday: 8 AM – 3 PM
- Wednesday: 1 - 4 PM
- Thursday & Friday: office shifts/shadowing hours will vary
September 28, 2026: Advising Start Date
Possible Summer Hours
June 15 - September 18, 2026 (Subject to office staffing needs)
- Monday - Friday: 10 AM – 4 PM, up to 6 hours daily
- Tuesday & Thursday: additional shifts for Advising & Orientation support available 8 AM - 4:30 PM, up to 8.5 hours daily
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Degree-seeking undergraduate student at the UW Seattle campus who is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per quarter in Autumn 2026 and Winter 2027
- To be eligible for paid Spring training, students must also be enrolled in at least 6 credits during Spring 2026
- Students applying for this role through Work Study must be enrolled full time in Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
- Students graduating in Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Autumn 2026 are not eligible to apply
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills applied in-person and in professional writing
- Highly motivated and proven ability to work independently
- Capacity for discretion, diplomacy, and privacy regarding sensitive student matters and protected information
- Genuine interest in working with and helping fellow students
- Good academic standing with at least a 2.7 GPA
- Completion of two quarters at the UW prior to start date (Autumn Quarter 2026)
Desired Qualifications
- Prior experience in similar or related activities (e.g., Virtual Orientation Leader, Resident Advisor, FIG Leader, CUADSS Student Associate, Student Government/Club Executive Officer, work with young adults, or other Peer Advising positions)
- Experience facilitating workshops or giving group presentations
- Experience working with diverse populations of students, staff, and faculty
- Pattern of excellent attendance, reliability, and punctuality in prior positions
Application and Selection Process
Sunday, January 25: Application due
Apply
Completed applications are due by Sunday, January 25 at 11:59 p.m. PST via online submission. Applications consist of an online form with three short response questions and a prior experience and skills section. Late applications for any reason will not be considered.Early February: Invitation to interview
You can expect an email to your @uw.edu email regarding the status of your application.February 9-February 23: Individual interviews in MGH 141
Early March: Peer Adviser offers
After individual interviews are finished, you will receive an email to your @uw.edu account regarding the status of your application.If offered the role, you will have around 1 week to accept the offer.
Application questions
1. We would like to know more about your interest in the Peer Adviser position. In 500 words or less, please address the following questions:
What is the role of a Peer Adviser?
Why are Peer Advisers important and why are you interested in this role?
Specifically, why are you interested in working as a Peer Adviser in UAA Advising supporting pre-major students?
What aspects or responsibilities of the Peer Advising role excite you the most?
2. We are curious about how you have navigated the major system at UW and how you have selected your major. In 300 words or less, please address the following questions:
What factors led you to choose your intended major and why are you interested in it?
What challenges did you face, or what resources did you use throughout the process?
As a Peer Adviser, how would you support other students through their choosing a major process?
3. Peer Advisers are responsible for managing the main UAA Advising email account and responding to student concerns in a timely, professional manner. Please draft a response to the sample email below. Be sure to include a greeting, an email signature (do not use your name, just sign off as "Peer Adviser"), and a response of no more than 300 words.
Dear Peer Adviser,
I am really struggling in my Math 124 class right now and at a loss of what to do. I’m worried getting a low grade in the course will hurt my chances of getting into my major. I’d really like to come talk to someone soon. How can I do that? Can you also help me find information about when the last day to S/NS the course is?
Thanks, Amaya
4. In the next few sections, please list three qualities or skills that you think are important for a Peer Adviser to have. For each skill/quality, list a prior position, role, or experience that you have where you demonstrated that skill. Finally, provide a specific example of how you demonstrated that skill/quality in that prior experience. Be as specific and detailed as possible in your explanation.
HINT: Your prior experience can be any work, volunteer, or leadership experience (ex. retail, food service, clubs, community service, etc.) and does not need to be directly related to academic peer advising. Also, it is okay to use the same prior experience multiple times to demonstrate multiple skills/qualities.
Example:
- SKILL/QUALITY: Communication
- PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Waiter at Olive Garden
- DEMONSTRATING SKILL/QUALITY #1: (100 word explanation with specific examples/details illustrating how the applicant demonstrated communication skills in their role as a waiter at Olive Garden)
Information Sessions
Want to hear from current UAA Peer Advisers? Attend one of our upcoming information session to learn more about the Peer Adviser role and to get your questions answered. We will offer both virtual and in-person sessions. If you sign up for a virtual session, you will recieve the Zoom link via email the day of your session.
Please register for an upcoming information session: Register Here
DATE TIME LOCATION Friday, January 16th 1:00 - 1:45PM Zoom Tuesday, January 20th 12:00-12:45PM MGH 258 Thursday, January 22nd 2:00-2:45PM MGH 258 Friday, January 23rd 11:00-11:45AM Zoom
If you have questions that are not addressed above, please contact Alex Plant at ajplant6@uw.edu.
