First Summer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location(s): University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA; Mercy Manhattan in New York City, NY, and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL
Employment Type: Temporary, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensations and Benefits: $22-24/hour, depending on the site (details below).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a flexible timeline until all positions are filled.
The Organization:
At Thrive Scholars, we provide high-achieving students from under-resourced communities the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.
Our comprehensive and data-driven program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars ("SCS") twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities, with more to come. The organization has approximately 75 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.
The Program: Summer Academy - Residential & Commuter:
Summer Academy has long been the keystone of Thrive Scholars' Six-Year Program, offering a signature summer experience through intensive college-preparatory courses taught by college instructors. Thrive's current strategic direction builds on the success of our residential Summer Academy to expand our impact by establishing commuter-based Academies in cities across the United States. We launched our first two commuter programs in Los Angeles and New York City in 2024 and Chicago in 2025, while simultaneously continuing to offer the residential Summer Academies for Scholars who do not have an academy in their community. We expect to continue extending our reach to other cities in the coming years.
The Students:
Our students are high-achieving, including first-generation college-goers from under-resourced communities, with an average high school GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. They are eager to learn, inquisitive, and highly motivated to succeed. In general, they see themselves as good students who perform well in school and are determined to live up to that expectation. When scholars attend their first summer academy, whether commuter or residential, they are a rising high school senior.
The Opportunity:
Thrive Scholars is seeking Teaching Assistants who can work with a faculty member to administer a college math or writing course to our students preparing for the rigor of courses at selective institutions. The math courses are expected to include Pre-Calculus, Calculus I, and Calculus 2. Final determination of math levels during the 2026 Summer Academies is to be determined based on student demand. The writing course is Introduction to College Writing. The uniqueness of this position lies in its dual focus on supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. Teaching Assistants will foster a sense of community with their assigned students, emphasizing belonging, connectedness, and resilience in a new environment. In practice, this includes creative ways to start the class period, developing shared meanings and motivational mantras to encourage resilience, and conducting personal check-ins with students who miss class.
This role provides the opportunity to co-create and nurture a culture of safety that maximizes student engagement and learning. College readiness teaching assistants serve as both teachers and mentors, combining instructional support with personal guidance.
TA's will be supported by their faculty members, Academic Coordinators, the Site Director, Assistant Site Director, and Thrive full-time staff members.
Key Responsibilities:
Teaching Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Teaching Assistant for two sections of a college-level math or writing course in collaboration with a faculty member.
• Facilitate lessons, lectures, and interactive activities to ensure students grasp key concepts.
• Provide support during class hours and office hours, addressing student questions and clarifying complex topics.
• Collaborate with the faculty member to design and implement effective teaching strategies for college readiness.
• Writing TAs: provide one-on-one coaching and feedback on student writing.

Guidance Responsibilities:

• Build a supportive community among assigned students, fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness.
• Implement unique and engaging methods to start each class period, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Develop shared meanings and motivation mantras with students to promote resilience and a growth mindset.
• Communicate concerns for students who may display signs of disengagement to the Site Director
• Co-create and facilitate a culture of safety that encourages deep engagement and participation in the learning process.
• Serve as a mentor to students, providing guidance on academic and personal development in preparation for the challenges of selective institutions.
• Foster a collaborative learning environment that encourages peer support and knowledge sharing among students.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Can demonstrate competency in college-level calculus (ranging from pre-calculus to calculus 2) or college-level writing (personal essay, literary analysis, and expository writing)
• Can demonstrate effectiveness in supporting and teaching assigned course subjects in a university setting
• Experience in a learning environment such as a summer camp, school, academic summer program, or a residential high school strongly preferred
• Experience in and passion for working with a diverse community of high school & college students
• Superior interpersonal skills & ability to build effective relationships with students, faculty, & staff
• High level of dependability & strong commitment to ensuring the health & safety of participants at all times
• Enthusiasm & ability to work in a high-energy environment, foster positivity & energy among high-school & college students
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities
• Uphold and enforce the values, policies, and procedures of Thrive Scholars as outlined in the program manual
• Ability to exercise sound decision-making and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Professional dress is required
• CPR & First Aid certification preferred
• Must pass a background check and complete required safety trainings

Compensation, Benefits, and Program Dates:
College Readiness Teaching Assistants support commuter program sites across multiple locations. Tentative program dates by campus are as follows:
University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA

1. $24/hour, plus lunch
2. June 13 - July 31

Mercy University Manhattan Campus; New York City, NY

1. $24/hour, plus lunch
2. June 27 - August 14

Northwestern University; Evanston, IL

1. $22/hour, plus lunch
2. June 20 - August 7

Once the program begins, Teaching Assistants are expected to work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, following a set class schedule with additional flexible hours for work outside of class. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for special events such as college fairs or program celebrations. Full staff training and orientation will begin in mid-June, with the final schedule determined in collaboration with the Site Director and Program Director.
Working Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a seasonal employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Frequent sitting, talking and listening and occasional walking, bending, stooping, and pulling
• Handle and operate computers, tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• See clearly in an indoor and outdoor environment
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• Travel off campus (transportation will be provided and advance notice will be given if required)
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunities:
Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. Knowing their importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org