Ready to join our team?
Campus ambassadors are some of the most influential people on campus. For 175,000 annual campus guests, a student ambassador is the first person they have contact with, shaping visitors’ first impressions of the university. As representatives and advocates for the university, they personify the excellence and diversity of the campus community.
Being a campus ambassador is a fun, varied and flexible job. Students who are excited about the chance to share their college experience with campus visitors are encouraged to apply. We accept applications once a year in late fall.
If you are interested, please fill out this short form and we will email you when the application is live!
Read from current ambassadors what they think about the job:
- A Love Letter to my Hiring Class by Ethan C.
- How Being a Campus Ambassador has Helped me by Dina K.
- Becoming a Campus Ambassador by Bridget B.
If selected, the required in-person audition occurs in Berkeley on Saturday, January 20, 2024. If hired, the required in-person orientation occurs in Berkeley on Saturday, January 27, 2024.Neither of these requirements can be made up on another day. Please make sure these dates are held on your calendar.
If you have any questions, please email vps.hiring@berkeley.edu
What does being an ambassador mean?
Sharing the history and culture of the campus, as well as their experiences as a Berkeley student, ambassadors help people get to know and appreciate UC Berkeley. As prospective students and their families primarily gain knowledge about a university though campus tours, campus ambassadors can play an important role in college decisions.
What kind of work do ambassadors do?
Campus ambassadors lead tours; serve visitors at the Visitor Center and the Campanile; support parent programs; and staff special events such as Cal Day and Homecoming, as well as a growing number of other unique assignments. Visitor Services offers walking tours for individuals and families (prospective and newly admitted students, tourists, and alumni) and groups (middle and high school students, distinguished guests, donors, guests of campus departments, and government officials). Tours are usually 60-90 minutes long. At the Visitor Center, ambassadors act as campus concierges by greeting guests, signing guests in for tours, providing information, and answering questions. At the Campanile (Sather Tower), ambassadors staff the ticket desk and assist in elevator operation.
What are the work hours? How many hours a week do you work?
Visitor & Parent Services operates seven days a week. Ambassadors are scheduled to work as their availability permits. During the Fall and Spring semesters, ambassadors must be available to work a minimum of 10 hours on weekdays between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm with additional hours on the weekends; work at major campus events; and attend monthly staff meetings on the first Friday of the month from 3:00-5:00pm (unless you have class during that time). Ambassadors must be available at least one day a week (Monday-Sunday) to give our 9:15-11:00am guided walking tour. This results in actual work of 5-7 hours a week. During the Summer, ambassadors are required to work their first summer (day after finals through the day before the fall semester) in person, in Berkeley. Returning ambassadors are welcome to work future summers, but it is not required. In the summer, the job works well if you are taking summer classes or have a 1-2 day a week internship. You may request time off during the summer and allowances will be made on a case by case basis. Please note this allowance is usually no more than two weeks. Being an ambassador is a fun and rewarding job, but know that it provides only a limited number of hours of work a week.
What do you look for when hiring a campus ambassador?
Students who: Reflect the diversity of the student population. Are active on campus and in the community. Love to share their enthusiasm for the university. Have customer service experience. Speak multiple languages (a plus).
How does the application process work?
Submit your application by the published deadline. Qualified applicants will be invited to a comprehensive group audition. Hiring and training take place in January and February. New ambassadors will generally begin to lead tours in April.
