Reports to: Manager of College Counseling

About Chicago Scholars

Chicago Scholars is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership development organization that empowers academically ambitious first-generation or low-income students to overcome systemic barriers to success in college and beyond while preparing the city’s businesses and organizations for the next generation of leaders.

Since 1996, Chicago Scholars has built a legacy of success by investing in our youth and amplifying their leadership. Our Scholars are high-achieving first-generation college students and students from low-income communities, and they have the talent, heart, and big dreams to become our next generation of leaders and transform our city. 

At its core, our work is about economic mobility, leadership development, and belonging. It’s about making sure our Scholars have everything they need to journey from Chicago’s classrooms to Chicago’s boardrooms—or to wherever their dreams may lead.

Chicago Scholars is transforming the leadership landscape of our city by resolving the fundamental barriers to success for academically driven, first generation college students from under-resourced communities. Through college counseling, mentoring, and by providing a supportive community to our Scholars through each phase of our program: College Access, College Success, and Career and Leadership Development, we ensure that they realize their full potential as students and leaders.

78% of Chicago Scholars graduate college within 6 years. Per the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research, only 49% of their peers earn a degree within 6 years. Upon graduation, our Scholars move into leadership positions across Chicago, helping to drive the economic future of their communities and our thriving city.

READI Commitment

At Chicago Scholars we strive to prepare our Scholars for the world and the world for our Scholars. Our dual focus on Scholars and the world is essential to our strategy. To achieve these goals, we center racial justice, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion (READI) in all that we do. 

Chicago Scholars’ commitment to READI encompasses all of our stakeholders—from our staff to our board, from our volunteers to our partnering organizations, and most importantly our Scholars. This holistic approach is necessary for the sustained, long-term, positive impact that we seek for our Scholars, our neighborhoods, our city, and our world.

To learn more about Chicago Scholars commitment to READI, please visit chicagoscholars.org/readi. 

At Chicago Scholars, we believe that education is social justice. That's why we're empowering Chicago's best and brightest first-generation college students and students from low-income communities with the mentors, resources, and opportunities to go to our nation's best colleges and universities, graduate on time, and become Chicago's next generation of leaders. Since 1996, we've impacted the lives of more than 5,000 young leaders in Chicago.

Our Values

These are a set of guiding principles that apply to all stakeholders within the Chicago Scholars ecosystem. We select and retain stakeholders based on these stated expectations for how we achieve our mission and vision. Each is supported with core competencies and narrative for the sake of clarity.

We Dream Big. We speak up, innovate, push the boundaries and keep the creativity flowing. We don’t accept the status quo because the stakes are too high. We have an incredible belief that growth and change is possible. While we dream big, we are laser focused on our intended goals and outcomes for our Scholars, our city and the world.

We Show Up. We show up every day; not just physically, but with a positive attitude and willingness to work, connect, challenge, engage, solve problems and have fun. We don’t wait for someone to tell us what to do. We take action and get the job done. If we don’t know how, we figure it out through our knowledge, exploration or our network.

We Embrace Our Differences. We represent a multicultural nation and our collective backgrounds, experiences, styles, values, perspectives and beliefs are an asset to the world. We recognize that together we achieve better outcomes more quickly. Justice and equity starts with us using our collective voice.

We Model the Way. We exhibit the behavior that we want to see in others and in the world. Titles are granted, but our behavior is what earns us respect. In order to model the way, we must be clear about our guiding principles, celebrate our accomplishments and learn from our challenges and failures.

We Care For Each Other Along the Way. We adapt to the needs of the person in front of us. We pause, reflect and listen. We do our best work when we are in good relationship together. We care personally and challenge directly.

We Keep Our Word. When we commit, we are all in. Whether for events, a Scholar, a peer or ourselves. Our words are as powerful as our actions and are the building block of trust, respect, self-worth and integrity.

Position Summary:

The CS College Counselor will implement all aspects of the college admissions and selection process using our comprehensive, research-based college counseling curriculum. College Counselors serve as the bedrock of our organization’s mission by leveraging professional expertise combined with our curriculum to ensure that Scholars have the knowledge, resources, and support to matriculate to a college that matches their academic qualifications and fits their social, emotional, cultural, and financial needs as well.  

Key Responsibilities:

College Counseling (30- 35 Scholar caseload) 

• Implement college CS Counseling curriculum 
• Schedule and meet with Scholars and families per the monthly counseling session 
• Utilize financial aid expertise to counsel Scholars and families about financial fit 

Data Entry 

• Submit case notes and progress accurately and on time within CS Connect; 
• Collect all necessary materials from Scholars (college applications, financial aid award letters, etc.) 

Risk Management 

• Identify and elevate Scholars who need additional support or interventions 

Support 

• Attend New Student Orientation and complete all mandatory CS trainings 

Additional Responsibilities:

• This role will occasionally work on nights and weekends to accommodate the needs of our Scholars and their families.
• Counselors are required to facilitate a College Access workshop once a year.  
• Counselors can continue supporting Scholars by attending CS signature events such as, but not limited to: CS College Fair, Onsite Leadership Forum, etc. 
• Other duties, as assigned. 

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2 years of College Counseling experience. 
• Experience: Working with low-income, first-generation, and/or underrepresented Chicago youth and their families. 
• Availability to meet with scholars on weekday evenings and weekends 
• Must live in the Chicagoland area. 

Technical Knowledge (if applicable):

• Candidates who speak Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, and Polish are strongly encouraged to apply! 
• Necessary computer skills – including the ability to use college tracking software, college research tools, etc. – and a willingness to learn new technologies as needed.  
• Type 73 Certification is preferred but not required. 

Core Competencies:

• Stay up-to-date with the college application process, colleges, academic programs, admission policies, and financial policies and procedures 
• Strong understanding of Match-Fit-Financial Fit as it relates to the college selection process 
• Knowledge of barriers in the college selection process that exists for first-generation and low-income students 
• Ability to adjust and respond flexibly to the individual needs of different Scholars  
• Reliability, dependability, and commitment to the mission of Chicago Scholars 
• Ability to relate effectively to a diverse range of people, with an ability to connect with Scholars and their families across cultures, races/ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds 
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion 
• Excellent, proactive verbal and written communication skills 

Best Offer First Policy:   The data nationally show for every $1 paid to white men, women earn 83 cents, black men earn 88 cents, and black women earn 80 cents. Women and black and brown people are also less likely to negotiate than their white male peers. Chicago Scholars has decided to offer our best offer first rather than wait for a potential negotiation. This allows us to set salaries based on market data and internal equity and ensure fair and equal pay for every role. 

If you have questions regarding either of the above policies, or any of Chicago Scholars employment policies, please reach out to the Human Resources team at jobs@chicagoscholars.org with the subject line: Policy Question.

Salary: $25 per hour

To Apply

Please click 'Apply' to submit your application which should include a resume and cover letter.