Student Ambassador and Mentor Scheme

The Student Recruitment and Outreach (SRO) team at Aston University help prospective students, parents, teachers and careers advisers find out information about Aston University and higher education. We organise many different events throughout the year, and employ student ambassadors to ensure these events run smoothly.

Student Ambassadors

As a Student Ambassador you will be working with young people, usually between the ages of 13 and 18. Your aim will be to inspire and encourage prospective students to consider higher education and Aston University in particular.

The role is varied and you can take part in a range of different activities as part of the scheme. 

Core duties will include:

• Showing prospective students and their parents around the campus on organised tours
• Helping out at events such as Open Days, virtual events, interviews and Applicant Visit Days (for offer holders)
• Helping the SRO team run school visits on campus

Some Student Ambassadors may also visit schools to give presentations and help run workshops. Others may attend higher education exhibitions and careers fairs as a representative of Aston University. Some ambassadors will also develop further skills as mentors, working with school students to raise their attainment and build aspirations for the future.

As an ambassador, you are able to choose the type of work that you wish to take part in, at a time that is convenient for you. 

Full training will be given.   

If you have any queries that are not answered on this page, please email ambassadors@aston.ac.uk

There are plenty of opportunities to develop different skills and the scheme is well recognised by many employers. 

Benefits include: 

• Full training once selected 
• Payment of £10.42 per hour
• Flexible working hours to fit in with your studies
• Build up your network and gain employment experience – great for CV
• Most events are on campus
• Help to promote Aston University and higher education
• Meet other Student Ambassadors and make new friends
• Gain experience of working with young people

You will receive full training prior to working as a Student Ambassador. If you are successful and have worked a number of shifts for us, you will receive a certificate at the end of the academic year stating that you have taken part in the scheme.

The current rate of pay is £10.42 per hour.   

Student Ambassadors have the opportunity to assist in a number of activities, including but not limited to:

• Mentoring local secondary school pupils
• Careers and Higher Education fairs
• Campus tours and Open Days
• School visits on-campus and off-campus
• Virtual events
• Interviews
• Administrative work
• Other jobs may also be available as required by the SRO team, such as photo shoots or event support.

How much do I get paid?

Student ambassadors receive £10.42 per hour (inclusive of holiday pay).

How many hours do I have to work?

Work opportunities are available throughout the year.   

The number of hours that you work and the type of work that you do is flexible. Jobs are advertised in advance so you can plan your time effectively. You will be on a zero-hour contract so there is no obligation for you to work shifts, however we ask that you are available to work at least once over a 3 month period.

Job Description

Job purpose

The Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach department comprises of four front facing dynamic teams whose responsibilities are to meet recruitment and conversion targets as well as wider government set targets. The department has strong links with key external stakeholders, as well as fruitful relationships with all departments across the University. The team has a high-performance culture and would welcome applications from forward thinking, innovative and driven applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to Aston University’s ethos and values.

The Student Recruitment and Outreach (SRO) team organises and delivers a wide range of events to encourage prospective students between the ages of 14-19 to progress to higher education. As a Student Ambassador, you will support the SRO team in delivering on- and off-campus recruitment and conversion activities.

This role is a development opportunity that will allow current students to develop a range of transferable skills. We would like to encourage all first year undergraduate students who are passionate about developing themselves to apply regardless of previous experience.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Student Recruitment and Outreach team
• Supervise and lead groups of participants and support their engagement in workshops, presentations, discussions and project work, both on and off campus
• Act as a positive role model for Aston University
• Ensure young people are safe at all times, referring any concerns to a member of the SRO team quickly and responsibly
• Support the coordination and delivery of events, including overseeing participant activities, registration, meeting and greeting visitors
• Provide accurate information, advice and guidance to a variety of stakeholders, including students, teachers and parents
• Deliver highly informative and engaging campus tours
• Offer occasional administrative support to the SRO team, including data entry
• Engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities
• Undertake all work in line with Aston University policies, procedures and regulations including promoting equality of opportunity and supporting diversity and inclusion
• Fulfil any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the role

Additional Responsibilities

In addition to the main responsibilities listed, you may also have the opportunity to complete further training and development to allow you to undergo additional work opportunities. These will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, and can include, but aren’t limited to:

• Visit schools and colleges to represent Aston University at higher education fairs to give presentations and offer information, advice and guidance about Aston University, student life, the university application process, and student finance
• Supervise participants during breaks, off-site activities, evening activities and overnight stays in Aston University halls of residence
• Mentor local secondary school pupils as part of the University’s collaborative outreach programmes
• Design and deliver academic tutoring to local GCSE and A-Level students
   

Person Specification

All applicants to the Student Ambassador and Mentor Scheme must be current students at Aston University.

The application cycle will reopen again around January 2021.

The application process usually consists of an online written application form followed by an assessment centre if you are shortlisted. If successful, you will be able to start work as a Student Ambassador pending the completion of mandatory training and the successful outcome of a Right to Work (RTW) check.

According to the UK Border Agency legislation, Aston University is required to record information about its employees and check certain original documents (this is known as a Right to Work check). We must check the documents of all students who will be working for us before they start work.

We will need to see your original (i.e. not a photocopy) proof of ID documents regardless of your nationality.   

Please note that all documentation must be in-date. Some key points to consider:

UK nationals

A valid, in-date passport is an acceptable form of identification.

If you do not have a valid passport you can bring in your National Insurance card and full-length Birth Certificate (the full-length UK Birth Certificate will have at least one parent name on it). Please note that shorter length Birth Certificates cannot be accepted.

A UK Driver’s Licence is not an acceptable form of identification.

EU/EEA nationals

A valid, in-date passport or National Identity Card is an acceptable form of identification.

Croatian nationals should provide a valid purple registration certificate or contact HR for further information (HR_helpdesk@aston.ac.uk)

International (Non UK or EU/EEA)

We will need to see your in-date passport and your current visa/work permit.

The University has the right to refuse employment if you are unable to provide satisfactory documentation. Further information can be found on the UK Border Agency website

For further clarification on the University’s employment and immigration requirements, please contact Human Resources.

Email: ambassadors@aston.ac.uk 

Tel: 0121 204 4771