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Continuing Education Programs

Pre-University Programs Summer Positions

See yourself working with middle and high school students?  Planning a career that involves mentoring youth? Looking to acquire valuable experience? Share your love of USC with others! Learn more about the positions and apply today.

We are looking for the best and brightest!

Pre-University Programs in the Office of Continuing Education and Conferences at USC is accepting applications for the summer 2027 residential program director, residential and non-residential summer counselors. These positions will serve as USC ambassadors and mentors to high-achieving middle and high school students participating in academic summer programs, including the Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series.

Being a CMS counselor was a rewarding experience because it gave me the opportunity to support and guide students from many different backgrounds while building meaningful connections with them. It also allowed me to grow in many different ways, including developing my leadership skills and helping to create an environment where everyone felt welcomed, included, and respected. Being a counselor helped me create lasting memories and amazing connections that I will cherish well beyond my time in the CMS program.

Christopher B., 2026 CMS Counselor

Learn more about the job requirements below and contact our office if you have any questions.

Job Responsibilities

  • Serve as a mentor for middle school and high school academically talented students, in grades 6-12
  • Be responsible for the care of program participants to include supervising meals, transportation, coordinating academic schedules, bed-checks and morning wake ups.
  • Work alongside faculty, attending classes with participants. Supervise scholars during all activities, assist with disciplinary actions, coordinate emergency care and attention, and be a mentor academically, socially and personally.
  • Help prepare welcome packets, welcome signs, name badges, check-in and check-outs. 
  • Provide the utmost respect at all times to scholars, mentors, clients, instructors and CEC professional staff.
  • Follow confidentiality guidelines when handling scholar, mentor and CEC professional staff medical information.
  • Assist scholars and instructors during instructional time. Lounging, talking, texting or work that is not related to the program is prohibited during class. You must be alert and attentive at all times.
  • Be responsible for the care of scholars on any field trips to include making sure all USC risk management policies are followed.
  • Present a positive image of USC by means of a tidy appearance, a pleasant and helpful disposition, a positive attitude and responsive action.
  • Greet and receive inquires in a polite and courteous manner.
  • Interact with parents/family members and respond to parental and group leader concerns.
  • Submit reports as required and provide necessary follow-up.
  • Operate a computer database and update new information immediately upon check-in of participants. Assist with meeting room set-ups and work special events as needed.
  • Assist the Continuing Education and Conferences with other projects and duties as assigned.

The residential program director is responsible for coordinating and planning the on-site needs of all academic summer groups.

Duties include:

  • Responsible for and plans each group’s activities to include programming, academic and social learning
  • Responsible for all correspondence associated with these groups
  • Coordinates and works with faculty, professionals, and counselors to facilitate events
  • Responsible for staff scheduling and conducting weekly and nightly meetings with staff and residential participants
  • Serves as customer service representative for event and program participants, including parents/guardians
  • Assist in training and supervising residential and day counselors
  • Responsible for adhering to budgets and following procurement procedures for each program
  • Responsible for keeping emergency information, health records and other important records for participants and counselors
  • Responsible for programming, development and discipline of scholars and counselors
  • Creates and carries out mid-summer and end-of-the-summer evaluations of all summer programs and counselors
  • Attends management meetings and assists the Pre-University Programs team and staff of Continuing Education and Conferences with other duties as assigned
  • Observes counselors and scholars during classes and activities
  • Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including filling in for counselors on duty or in class when needed
  • Assists with weekly housing room assignments and reports
  • Assists with all other projects and duties as assigned

Requirements:

  • Applicant must be at least 21 years of age by May 1 of camp year
  • The residential program director is required to live on campus in summer housing with the staff and participants
  • Leadership and supervisory experience
  • Experience working in student development and/or residence life preferred
  • Willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings and be on call
  • Must have good oral and written communication skills
  • Must have excellent organizational and administrative skills
  • Must be responsible, dependable and punctual
  • Must have the ability to interact with people from all sectors of the university and community

Compensation

  • $16/hr during spring office hours for training and preparation
  • $16/hr during the summer; 40 hours/week
  • On-campus housing included in exchange for on-duty hours
  • Includes meals (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) at selected conference-dining facilities when monitoring scholars/scheduled to work a shift
  • Uniform consisting of a T-shirt for each day of the week and a name tag. 

Residential counselors are responsible for monitoring, advising, and counseling middle and high school students during flexible shifts that include day, evening, after-hours and weekends. Residential mentors are required to work during camp check-in on Sunday. Schedules vary depending on the program. 

Requirements:

  • Residential mentors are required to live on campus in summer housing with staff and camp participants. 
  • Must be willing to work flexible hours including day, evening and some weekend shifts, and to be on duty for emergencies 24 hours/day.

Compensation

  • Compensation is $14/hr; up to 40 hours/week.
  • On-campus housing included in exchange for on-duty hours.
  • Includes meals (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) at selected conference-dining facilities when scheduled to work a shift. 
  • Uniform consisting of a T-shirt for each day of the week and a name tag. 

Non-residential counselors are responsible for monitoring, advising, and counseling middle and high school students Monday through Friday. Day mentors are also required to work Sunday afternoons for check-in. Schedules vary depending on the program.

Requirements:

  • Day mentors are not required to live on campus. 

Compensation:

  • Compensation is $14/hr; up to 40 hours/week.
  • Includes meals (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) at selected conference-dining facilities when scheduled to work a shift.
  • Uniform consisting of a T-shirt for each day of the week and a name tag. 

"Being a CMS counselor is a meaningful experience and an opportunity to build leadership skills. It is great to be able to build connections with the kids and to work in such a supportive and welcoming environment, which makes for an enjoyable summer." 

Julessa G., 2026 CMS Counselor

Application Requirements

  • Applicants must:
    • be enrolled at USC-Columbia and be a rising sophomore or above. USC Columbia graduate students are also encouraged to apply.
    • have at least at 3.25 GPA (cumulative) and be in good standing.
    • be able to get along with others, possess positive time management skills, and work well under pressure.
    • enjoy working with middle and high school students, be self motivated, and have a positive attitude.
    • be willing to work a very flexible schedule.
    • wear a standard uniform and adhere to personal conduct and hygiene standards.
  • Employment is contingent upon a background check. A driving record may be requested of final candidates.
  • Due to the nature of the programs and the work schedule, students are discouraged from having a second job, internship, or enrolling in synchronous coursework during the summer employment period (listed below).


Apply today!


Important Dates for 2027

Staff training will be compensated and completed at various times. All staff are required to attend all training activities (make up training available if spring evening sessions conflict with class; must be pre-approved). Training will be conducted at 6 p.m. once a month in February, March, and April and all day June 1-5, prior to camp.

Summer employment for counselors will be June 1 - July 2, 2027.


Questions?

If you have additional questions about the positions or our Pre-University Programs, email pups@mailbox.sc.edu or call 803-777-9444.


Learn More About Pre-University Programs

Pre-University Programs through the Office of Continuing Education and Conferences at USC offers educational programs for academically talented students in grades 4 through 12. Students are able to jumpstart a future career, refine skills in an array of topics, engage in interactive learning and exploration, meet new friends, and discover student life at USC.


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