Key Dates & Recruitment Timeline
Each year, leadership roles at PSA open for applications. While prior experience in an agency is preferred, students may apply for positions outside their current agency.
Key Recruitment Dates:
- October/November: Information Sessions & Coffee Chats – RSVP & SIGNUP HERE
- Information Session 1: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30pm in the Williams Cafe Group Study Room
- Information Session 2: Monday, November 18, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:00pm in the Williams Cafe Group Study Room
- Information Session 3: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 11:00am – 12:00pm in the Williams Cafe Group Study Room
Leadership candidates are selected based on their demonstrated interest, commitment to PSA’s growth, and contributions to its success. Interested applicants are encouraged to connect with current role holders to learn more about the positions and attend an information session!
Application Timeline:
Available leadership positions will be posted on Workday and will remain open until filled.
- Applications Open: 12:00 PM EST, Wednesday, November 13, 2024
- Application Review Begins: Week of November 18, 2024
- Interview Phase: November 20th – December 9th
- Decisions & Offers: December 9th – December 20th
- External Candidate Onboarding: January 15th – January 24th, 2025
- Student Leadership Development (SLD) Training Begins: January 27th, 2025
- Student Leadership Development (SLD) Training Ends: April 4th, 2025
For questions, please email PSA Program Manager Michael Warren at mpwarren@upenn.edu.
Candidate Preparation
At Penn Student Agencies (PSA), we seek candidates who are ready to bring their best to the table. Leadership roles at PSA differ significantly from typical on-campus jobs, requiring a high level of preparedness, professionalism, and commitment.
Our mission centers on fostering transferable skills, and our application process reflects this focus. We encourage candidates to demonstrate a readiness to learn, lead, and grow as part of a dynamic team.
To set yourself up for success, we highly recommend reviewing or utilizing the following resources prior to applying—and especially before your interview:
Career Services @ Penn Resources
PSA Specifc Information
- Reveiw our Website
- Review our Mission, Vision, and Values
- Review the Job Description(s)
- Review our Interview Prep Page
Application Requirements
All applications must have the following 4 elements to be considered:
1-Page Professionally Formatted Resume
Please refer to the Career Services website for examples.
1-Page Professionally Formatted Letter of Interest/Cover Letter
Your letter of interest/cover letter should address the following questions:
Reapplying & Internal Applicants
- How has your experience with PSA influenced your interest in a leadership position, and what contributions have you made?
- Which two NACE competencies do you want to develop in this leadership role, and how will this position support that growth?
- How would you describe your leadership style, and what do you hope to continue contributing to PSA and your team?
External Applicants
- What interests you about Penn Student Agencies and motivates you to apply for a leadership position compared to other student employment jobs at Penn?
- How do you plan to transition into a leadership role at PSA without prior experience as a team member?
- Which two NACE competencies do you want to develop in this leadership role, and what contributions do you aim to make to our community and agencies?
1-Page PDF of Spring 2024 Class Schedule
This helps us confirm that you can meet the weekly hour requirements for in-person training and your leadership role.
2 Professional or Academic References
Please provide the full name, relationship to you, phone number, and primary email contact for two references who can speak to your abilities and work ethic.
What to Expect: Interviews
The interview process at Penn Student Agencies is designed to assess your qualifications, fit, and alignment with our values. Here’s what you can expect:
Application Evaluation by Leadership Selection Committee
All candidates will have their applications reviewed by the Leadership Selection Committee to assess qualifications and role suitability.
Behavioral Interview with Outgoing Leadership/ Agency Representative & PSA Graduate Assistant
Selected candidates will participate in a structured interview focused on past experiences and behaviors, helping us understand how your skills align with our team culture.
Sitautional Competency Panel with the PSA Program Manager & Associate Director
Final candidates will engage in a panel discussion where you’ll respond to real-world scenarios related to the role. This phase highlights your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
Leadership Outlook & Values Alignment Panel with Advisory Board Members
Final C-Suite candidates will have an additional panel with Advisory Board Members to discuss leadership vision and ensure alignment with PSA’s values and mission.
Each phase is designed to give us insight into how you’ll contribute to PSA’s growth and success and for you to assess if this is the correct opportunity for you!
About the Leadership Experience
General Role Requirements
On-Campus Presence
Leadership is required to be on campus from August 17 to December 10, 2025, and January 12 to April 6, 2026. Penn Student Agencies (PSA) will provide accommodations for early move-in to on-campus residential housing; please plan your travel accordingly. Please note that this requirement does not encompass any requested time off or travel. Additionally, the New Student Orientation (NSO) and the first week of operations are designated as all-in periods, during which full attendance is mandatory.
Weekly Work Hour Flexibility
Team members may work up to 15 hours per week during peak periods (e.g., NSO and the first three weeks of each semester) and up to 5 hours per week (either remote or in-person) from May to August 2025. The expected weekly hours are expected to be around 10 hours but are dependent upon business needs and academic commitments.
Remote Work Eligibility
Team members who demonstrate consistent performance and reliability may be granted additional flexibility for remote work, in alignment with business needs and supervisor approval. Please note that remote work flexibility is not guaranteed and will depend on performance, business needs, and professional staff approval. Leadership may be required to work 100% in person during peak periods, particularly if performance expectations are not met during previously granted remote flexibility periods. The New Student Orientation (NSO) and the first week of each semester are designated as 100% in-person periods for all PSA employees.
Leadership Term & Scheduling
Penn Student Agencies Leadership roles are 1 year appointment contracts running from April – April of the following year.
For the FY2026 team, their official terms begin on April 7th, 2025, and conclude on April 5th, 2026.
Candidates must complete the full leadership term from April 7, 2025, to April 5, 2026, while maintaining academic good standing.
Candidates will need to reapply annually for each new term.
Standard Schedule
Team members are expected to adhere to a regular work schedule from Sunday to Friday, with work hours ranging between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Work after 10 pm is discouraged to promote wellness.
Weekend Availability
Occasional weekend availability may be necessary to support key programming and organizational initiatives. When possible, requests for weekend work will be communicated 2 weeks in advance.
Weekly Work Schedule: Hybrid Structure
In-Office Requirement: Leadership must be present in the PSA Main Office for a minimum of 6 hours per week, distributed over (3) three week days (Monday to Friday).
Standard Office Hours: In-office hours should be scheduled within standard business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Flexible Hours: Remaining work hours can be completed either in person or remotely, depending on the nature of tasks and Program Manager discretion.
In-Person Training Approach & Deliverables
Incoming leadership is required to commit to 8 hours of in-person training each week from January to April 2025; remote work is not allowed during this period.
The PSA Student Leadership curriculum focuses on developing core management skills aligned with the 8 NACE Competencies, essential for post-graduate success. This 8-week program follows an experiential learning model, utilizing a flipped classroom approach for core information.
Participants review materials before sessions, which are then used for interactive activities, case studies, and exercises to encourage higher-order thinking and cross-functional collaboration
Each week concludes with a shadow period with outgoing leadership for practical application and skill refinement.
Attire is business casual for all group sessions, with agency-specific dress codes for agency trainings.
Our training culminates in a final deliverable of a Strategic Business Plan document and presentation to be used as a guide for the upcoming fiscal year.
NACE Competencies
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Communication
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Digital Technology
- Leadership
- Professionalism/Work Ethic
- Career & Self Development
- Equity & Inclusion
Penn Student Agencies' Function Vertical Teams
Strategy & Finance
The Strategy and Finances vertical focuses on high-level decision-making, financial oversight, and long-term planning. This group is tasked with developing and implementing strategies that ensure the financial health of PSA, including budget planning, financial forecasting, and analysis of business performance.
They also manage the allocation of resources to meet strategic goals and work to enhance PSA’s competitive edge through business insights and innovative strategies. Their responsibilities include managing fiscal reports, monitoring expenses, and developing new revenue streams or partnerships.
People & Operations
The Operations and People vertical is responsible for managing the day-to-day operational aspects of PSA while ensuring a positive work environment. This includes overseeing recruitment, training, and development of staff, ensuring smooth operations across all agencies, and managing event logistics.
The focus of this group is to optimize internal workflows, maintain high performance through talent management, and foster collaboration among teams to ensure alignment with PSA’s goals. They are also involved in handling compliance with policies and procedures to ensure operational efficiency.
Marketing & Outreach
The Marketing and Outreach vertical is in charge of promoting PSA and its services, maintaining brand awareness, and ensuring strong engagement with both the student body and external stakeholders. This team handles social media strategy, content creation, external partnerships, and marketing.
They focus on developing campaigns that highlight PSA’s value, drive student recruitment, and increase customer satisfaction. Their efforts are crucial for positioning PSA as a leader in the student-run business space, ensuring consistent messaging, and fostering strong community engagement.
S&F Career Path
Students applying for Strategy & Finance-focused roles at PSA will develop several transferable skills that will be highly valuable in interviews for internships and post-graduate careers in fields such as:
- Investment Banking
- Corporate Finance
- Management Consulting
- Product Development
- Entrepreneurship
-
Financial Analysis & Budgeting
Students will gain experience in managing budgets, financial forecasting, and analyzing business performance. These skills are directly applicable to roles in investment banking and corporate finance, where financial analysis and resource allocation are key components of the work. -
Strategic Planning & Decision-Making
The ability to think critically and strategically about long-term planning and resource management will prepare students for the problem-solving and high-level decision-making required in management consulting and product development.
P&O Career Path
Students applying for People & Operations-focused roles at PSA will develop several transferable skills that will be highly valuable in interviews for internships and post-graduate careers in fields such as:
- Human Resources
- Operations & Logitistics
- Project Management
- Product Development
- Entrepreneurship
Project Management & Problem-Solving
Overseeing project timelines, coordinating tasks, and managing logistics for PSA initiatives will hone project management skills. These are crucial for roles in entrepreneurship and product development, where driving initiatives from ideation to execution is essential.Leadership & Team Collaboration
Leading teams, delegating tasks, and cultivating a positive work environment will build leadership and collaboration skills, which are critical for roles in entrepreneurship and management consulting, where leading teams and driving results are central to success.
M&O Career Path
Students applying for Marketing & Outreach-focused roles at PSA will develop several transferable skills that will be highly valuable in interviews for internships and post-graduate careers in fields such as:
- Marketing & Advertising
- Public Relations
- Product Development
- Sales
- Creative & Brand Strategy
With the opportunity to gain transferrable skills in:
- Client Engagement & Relationship Management
Engaging with clients, managing expectations, and driving customer satisfaction will help develop relationship-building and negotiation skills. These are beneficial in corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and consulting, where working with clients and stakeholders is a core responsibility. - Social Media Strategy & Content Creation
Students will gain hands-on experience in creating content and managing social media campaigns. These skills are directly relevant to roles in digital marketing, brand management, and advertising, where crafting compelling narratives and engaging audiences across platforms is essential.