Arras College Advising Corps

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n 2016, we heard from over 600 young people in our community that they needed more support in figuring out “life after high school.” In response, the Foundation worked with Furman University, College Advising Corps, Lancaster and Chester County School Districts, The Duke Endowment, and USC Lancaster to bring the pilot College Advising Corps program to South Carolina. Since 2017, this program has placed recent college graduates in all seven of the public high schools of Chester and Lancaster counties to support students in their transition to life after high school, whether it be to college, a career, or the military. Formerly known as the Furman College Advising Corps, our program has supported over 8,000 seniors in their transition to life after high school.

What makes our program unique? We are an AmeriCorps program, promoting national service at the local level. We also support a “near-peer” model, making it easier for our advisers to connect with high school students as colleagues, because they have recently experienced what our local students are going through.

Who Are We?

Established in 2017 as the first College Advising Corps Program in South Carolina, our program aims to increase opportunities for the students of Chester and Lancaster Counties by breaking down the barriers to college and career planning support. Our advisers are recent college graduates that are eager to integrate into their new communities as a resource for the students of Chester and Lancaster county public high schools & their families.

We believe that every student should have the opportunity to receive the support and guidance that is needed to fulfill their professional goals through:

  • College, Career, and Military Service Advisement

  • FAFSA and Scholarship Assistance
  • Event Planning
  • Family Engagement
  • Professional Development
  • College Visits

Interested in Joining Us?

Anyone interested in becoming an adviser must be a recent (within 5 years) graduate from an accredited institution of higher education and have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree. All majors/areas of study are encouraged to apply. Advisers are hired for a 2-year service position working full-time in their high school placement. Advisers follow their schools district’s calendar, with group Corps programming worked into this calendar throughout the school year.

Interested individuals should possess a desire for serving students, integrating into their service community, and an openness to developing professional skills throughout the year. Successful candidates also exhibit the following skills:

  • Strong oral and written communication skills

  • Ability to work independently, as well as willingness to collaborate and work in a team setting

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities at once

  • Event planning and marketing skills

  • Creating problem-solving skills

  • Experience with data entry and analysis

  • Experience with and/or interest in community service is preferred

Applicants MUST:

  • Have a Bachelor’s degree

  • Live and/or be willing to relocate to Lancaster and Chester County OR the surrounding area

  • Be willing to participate in an interview with program leadership and other community members

IF selected, the candidate:

  • MUST participate in an intensive background check process according to AmeriCorps and school district guidelines

  • Will be assigned to their school site based on 1) match and fit and 2) location preference(s)

Join us! We are currently accepting applications!

Please visit our Career Opportunities page for the full job description and application. Below are a few applications elements with which you should be prepared to submit with your application:

  1. Your name and contact information
  2. Resume
  3. Cover Letter
  4. Reference Letters (we kindly request for you to include two (2) letters of recommendation, but at least one (1))