This position is for those who have a desire to meet and assist nearly all voyagers with their technology and library needs. Applicants will be asked to indicate their interest in one of three separate job areas: audio visual services, computer lab, and library. Semester at Sea will make final assignments based on student preference and related experience.

Students will come to this role with an interest in technology and an interest in learning some aspect of technology to which they may not have been previously exposed. On any given day — under the supervision and guidance of the voyage librarian, IT coordinator, and AV coordinator — students in this role will flex their problem-solving skills in a variety of tasks. They will interact with and help faculty, staff, students, and lifelong learners. Experience serving at a university help desk, in a library, or in an audio-visual role is a plus, but it is not required. A desire to help people and problem solve is required!

Position skills and functions:

Candidates should be comfortable with learning or knowing how to accomplish the following:

• Maintain the Academic Success Center technology and the integrity of library operations.
• Assist voyagers with technology and library queries.
• Provide customer support to voyagers seeking assistance with technology.
• Provide customer support to voyagers seeking access to the library collection.
• Set up classroom technologies such as digital projectors, DVD players, laptops, etc. (may include displays and audio recordings).
• Confirm classroom technology is operational for efficient and best use.
• Set up event areas with microphones and AV-related equipment.
• Assist with troubleshooting technical problems.
• Understand the basics of wireless connectivity with laptops and smartphones and share this with others.
• Learn and work within the library catalog.
• Inventory the library collection as required by the voyage librarian.
• Shelve library books.
• Other duties as requested by the librarian, IT, and AV coordinators.

There are three Communications Student Assistant positions available each Semester at Sea Voyage. Communications Student Assistants will be asked to apply for one of the following roles:

Digital Marketing Assistant

This student assistant role provides critical support to both the voyage staff Social Media Coordinator and the Videographer. As a Digital Marketing Assistant, you will act as a bridge between production and distribution, ensuring that all media is professionally organized, edited, and ready for the global stage. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented student who excels at photography, asset management, and finding the “untold stories” within a community.

Duties specific to the Digital Marketing Assistant position include:

• Manage and organize high volumes of media captured by the Shipboard Communications Team, including tagging and archiving photos and video
• Support all shipboard projects by assisting with set-up and break-down, coordinating with participants, and brainstorming fresh content ideas
• Edit and retouch photographs according to specific brand guidelines for use across social media, web, and print
• Actively scout the shipboard community for unique story leads and execute those stories through photography and short-form writing
• Maintain a high level of proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Photoshop and Lightroom
• Other duties as assigned by the Social Media Coordinator/Videographer

Equipment Requirements:

• Own a personal laptop with the capability to run Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom effectively
• Camera or  high-end smartphone capable of capturing video footage and clear audio

Application Requirements:

• Your Professional Resume and Cover Letter
• Currently majoring in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, Visual Communications, or a related field
• Submit a photography portfolio that demonstrates your ability to capture a variety of subjects (portraits, landscapes, and candid action)
• Include a brief writing sample or “caption pack” (3–5 examples of social media captions you’ve written for your photos)
• Please include links to any public social media profiles (Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn). As this role involves representing our program on set and interacting with talent, we look for assistants who maintain a professional and positive online presence

Social Media Assistant

This student assistant role is designed for a creative storyteller who is passionate about digital media and brand building. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between the program and our digital audience by creating authentic, engaging, and fast-paced content.

Duties specific to the Social Media Assistant position include:

• Record and edit a weekly vlog for Instagram/TikTok that is roughly 30sec to 1 minute long
• Create Instagram  Story “takeover” videos for social media throughout the voyage to provide a “day in the life” perspective
• Maintain a working knowledge of Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Threads, including staying on top of viral trends
• You must feel comfortable being on camera telling a story
• You have to be able to shoot and edit vlogs independently
• Organize your edited media and then transfer it to the shipboard media coordinators

Equipment Requirements:

• Own a personal laptop with access with Adobe Creative Suite, specifically, Adobe Premiere,  Adobe Rush,  Photoshop or have access to CapCut
• Camera or  high-end smartphone capable of capturing video footage and clear audio

Application Requirements:

• Your Professional Resume and Cover Letter
• Major in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, Visual Communications, or a related field
• Submit a vlog introducing yourself and showing off your town or campus. We are looking for people who are fun to watch (enthusiastic without sounding insincere). Videos should be a maximum of  2 minutes in length
• Please include links to any public social media profiles (Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn). As this role involves representing our program on set and interacting with talent, we look for assistants who maintain a professional and positive online presence

Videographer Assistant

This student assistant role is ideal for those pursuing a career in TV/Film production. Your primary goal is to ensure the Lead Videographer can focus on the creative vision by providing technical and logistical support.

Duties specific to the Videographer Assistant position include:

• Gear Management: Assisting with the load-in/load-out of equipment, setting up tripods, and organizing camera bags.
• Lighting & Audio Support: Helping set up 3-point lighting, positioning reflectors, and monitoring audio levels/swapping batteries on wireless lavs.
• Production Logistics: Managing “slating” (clapping the board), keeping the set tidy, and ensuring talent is ready for their shots.
• Post-Production Prep: Offloading footage (DIT), organizing project folders, and performing basic “rough cuts” or syncing audio in Adobe Premiere Pro

To be eligible for this position, students must:

• Current major  in Film Production, TV Production, Media, Communications or related field
• Prior experience in  photo editing and videography experience using the Adobe Creative Cloud
• Familiarity with DSLR/Mirrorless cameras and a general understanding of the “Exposure Triangle” (ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture).
• Have experience in the Communications Field and the ability to represent the production professionally on set.

Equipment Requirements:

• Own a personal laptop with access with Adobe Creative Suite ( Specifically, Adobe Premiere,  After Effects, and  Photoshop)
• Preferred but not required: DSLR/Mirrorless camera or a high-end smartphone capable of capturing supplemental footage

Application Requirements:

• Your Professional Resume
• Please provide 1–2 examples of video projects you have worked on. These can be school assignments, personal projects, or freelance work. For each sample, please include:
• A direct link (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or personal website)
• Please include links to any public social media profiles (Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn). As this role involves representing our program on set and interacting with talent, we look for assistants who maintain a professional and positive online presence
• A Cover Letter Addressing:
  • What was your role in each of your  projects submitted? (Director, Cinematographer, 1st AC, Gaffer, Production Assistant, Editor, etc.)
  • What equipment did you use to support your role on each project?

Acceptance Requirements for all
Communications Student Assistant Positions

Students who are awarded and accept any of the three Communications Student Assistant positions must:

• Maintain a public social media channels throughout the voyage and adhere to Semester at Sea Ethnical Photography and Media Policy
• Sign a media release form to grant ISE/SAS permission to use photos/videos submitted for publication consideration – social, digital and print format; SAS will tag/credit when possible.
• Student will maintain ownership of all media captured, can use in personal portfolios but cannot resell media without privately obtaining release from all captured subjects; The ISE Media release does not extend to individual voyagers.

The Dependent Children Coordinator and Student Assistant are responsible for designing and implementing a study hall and enrichment program for the dependent school-aged children of faculty, staff, and lifelong learners. Student Assistants are expected to perform work duties as assigned by the Dependent Child Coordinator. These duties could include:

• Coordinating recreation time on the sports court
• Planning activities like poetry writing, map making, or ship tours for the enrichment program
• Compiling lists of students interested in serving as tutors for the children
• Creating pre-port presentations about each country that are relevant for the children

Position Requirements:

• Belief in mission and vision of Field Programs/desire to support and encourage participation in Field Programs
• Attention to detail/organization skills
• Customer service experience
• General office/administrative skills
• Experience with event planning/logistics and operations management (preferred)
• Demonstrated leadership potential; collaborative and a team-player

Common duties include but are not limited to:

• “Front lines” customer service work: answering questions and supporting voyagers with Field Program selection and registration
• Communicating and supporting the enforcement of Field Program policies
• Processing program registrations and cancellations
• Marketing: encouraging peer participation in Field Programs/helping to promote under-enrolled programs
• Data entry and basic administrative support (stuffing folders, updating lists, creating rooming lists, etc.)
• Delivering Field Program tickets and receipts to cabins around the ship
• Handing out a port resources document (“Green Sheet”) at logistical pre-port and helping answer voyagers’ questions after each pre-port
• Supporting the Field Office team as needed to ensure the successful operation of all Field Programs and Field Classes

The Lifelong Learning and Advancement Student Assistants, working under the guidance and direction of the Lifelong Learning and Advancement Coordinator, are responsible for creating a cohesive community of Lifelong Learners (LLLs), as well as educating the shipboard community about the benefits, opportunities, and responsibilities of being lifetime Semester at Sea alumni.

Position skills and functions:

• Assisting in the creation and implementation of programs and activities for the LLLs, such as faculty lectures, meeting with student leaders, intramurals, game nights, and socials
• Creating and distributing a daily or weekly calendar and activity schedule for all LLLs
• Assisting with the extended family program by recruiting interested participants, matching participants, and coordinating family dinners
• Assisting and supporting the LLL/Advancement Coordinator in developing a philanthropic understanding for the Institute for Shipboard
• Education/Semester at Sea among our newest alumni through a variety of educational and participatory initiatives
• Staffing and helping to coordinate and execute a weeklong fundraising drive for the Semester at Sea Annual Fund
• Working with the LLL/Advancement Coordinator to ensure that all preparations are made for the Alumni Ball
• Working to support and staff other advancement and alumni activities on the ship, including VIP visitors to the ship, Parent Trip visitors, Parent Drive, tabling in support of the Shipboard Drive, and other duties as assigned.

The Academic Advisor/Registrar Student Assistant is expected to maintain respectful confidentiality of sensitive information.

Position skills and functions:

• Aiding in the add/drop process
  Assisting with all student-related registration matters
• Assisting with the course evaluation process
• Additional administrative duties as assigned:
• Delivering messages, notes, and memos to faculty, staff, and students
• Typing as needed to assist the Administrative Assistant (minimal)
• Taking academic-related inquiries and responding accordingly, or otherwise seeking out answers

Students are expected to perform work duties as assigned by the Registrar/Academic Advisor or Academic Dean.

The Student Life Team — together with the faculty — is responsible for the purposeful and holistic promotion of student learning and development that enhances the overall educational experience.

The Student Life Student Assistants will work closely with the Student Life Team on the development and delivery of the co-curricular program during the voyage. Student Life Student Assistants will be asked to help facilitate reflection activities after port stays, as well as other programs and events.

In addition, Student Life Student Assistants will serve as peer mentors for the gap year students who participate in the voyage. Gap year students are those who have recently graduated from high school and have not attended a university. The Student Life Student Assistants will be assigned a group of mentees from this student population.

Position skills and functions:

• Serve in a TA/peer mentor role for the gap year New Student Seminar course during the first half of the voyage
• Attend the Field Class associated with the first-year experience in the first port country
• With the other Student Life Student Assistants, plan and implement community development programming and skill-building workshops for the gap year student
• Meet one-on-one and in small groups with your mentees throughout the voyage
• Hold regularly scheduled office hours in the Student Life Office to support the Student Life Team

Students with the following qualifications should apply for this role:

• Experience working with first-year college students (i.e. RA, orientation leader, peer advisor, etc.)
• Developed leadership and communication skills
• Commitment to service on their campus and/or in their community
• Experience leading or facilitating programs, training, or other events
• As a member of the student life team, other duties will be assigned by the Dean of Student Life, Assistant Dean of Student Life, and Resident Directors.

Requirements to work as a peer writing consultant in the Writing Center include:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and writing skills
• Strong coaching and listening skills
• Ability to motivate and encourage students
• Awareness of various learning styles and needs
• Awareness of various forms of writing across the disciplines (e.g. humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, etc.)
• Knowledge of MLA, APA, in-text citations, documentation
• Skill in maintaining respectful confidentiality

Duties specific to the Writing Center include:

• Peer writing consultations
• Assessing the writing needs of students
• Explaining writing principles and concepts (e.g. thesis, supporting evidence, etc.)
• Evaluating student essays (identifying strengths and weaknesses)
• Providing feedback/guidance/coaching
  Leading thematic workshops, developing workshops, and support sessions
• Helping to develop student communication skills
• Providing guidance to students on developing effective academic essays and following writing conventions