Student Life Graduate Associate

Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Graduate Assistantship

Location:
Wharton Undergraduate Division, Wharton School of Business

Modality:
In-Person

Position Length:
Academic Year (Fall - Spring)

Work Hours and Commitment:
20 hours/week, must be eligible to work both Fall '25 and Spring '26

Pay Rate:
$12000.00

Additional Compensation:
None

Overview

The Wharton Undergraduate Division Graduate Associate reports to the Associate Director for Belonging and Wellness and Director of Student and Alumni Engagement within the Wharton Undergraduate Division. This person works closely with the entire Wharton Undergraduate Division staff to assist with planning, implementing, and evaluating co-curricular and experiential programs for the Division.

  • The Graduate Associate has the opportunity to network and participate in division-wide initiatives as a member of the Undergraduate Division, including meetings with the student life team, all Wharton Undergraduate staff, and members of other teams.
  • The Graduate Associate will have daily access to a desk, computer, and office supplies.
  • Flexible hours (some evening and weekend hours required).
  • The Graduate Associate is a valuable member of the team; their insights and perspective are valuable to the team and to the overall community. 
  • Compensation is $12,000, payment monthly, over ten months

Supervisor/Contact

Lisa Podolsky - Associate Director, Student Life

lisapod@wharton.upenn.edu

Required Duties

  • Leadership/Advising:
    • Primary role is to advise and support community building organizations, such as the Wharton Undergraduate Cohorts. The GA will assist in the execution of various school-wide events, like Winter Whartonland and Hauntsman Halloween, and provide guidance to subgroups and project teams with the Cohorts leadership team.
    • Manage and support the recruitment and onboarding of the Cohort Representative student leaders. This is an opportunity to be the first advisor to a group of first-years and transfers who are likely to remain involved in the community.
    • Support and enhance club leader training and skill development initiatives.
  • Programming:
    • Assist with student initiatives and large-scale events including but not limited to Family Weekend, Wharton 5K, Wharton Formal. Provide support and guidance for the Wharton Council traditions and events.
    • The GA will help coordinate civic engagement programs, such as Nonprofit Connect, a program in which undergrads partner on projects with local nonprofits. 
  • Support Professional Readiness programming. 
  • Assist with other division priorities related to Wellness; Community and Belonging; Off-Campus Experiential Learning Programs; and the Sophomore Experience.
  • Professional/Administrative:
    • The GA will analyze and utilize data to make recommendations on programming.
    • Various other opportunities based on GA interest and needs of the division (examples: budgeting, program assessment, social media, and marketing).

Preferred Qualification and Essential Skills

  • Interest in working with undergraduate business students.
  • Willingness to take initiative and independent execution.
  • Ability to work autonomously and to work as a team with the division staff on projects and initiatives.
  • Event planning experience and ability to be innovative and creative with programming.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, and project-management skills.
  • Ability to learn new technologies.

Application Instructions

Currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year.  This GA position is open to all Penn GSE MSEd students. Please e-mail Lisa Podolsky, Associate Director, with your resume at lisapod@wharton.upenn.edu to request an interview to apply for this position.

Interviews will be held remotely by appointment/inquiry.  Questions can be addressed to Lisa Podolsky.