Summer Jobs Overview

Join our summer staff to make a difference.

Every year, the NSLC hires a diverse group of enthusiastic, hard-working individuals who enjoy working with high school students and have experience in the academic fields of our programs, leadership development, residential life, and/or office administration.

Interested in making a positive impact this summer? Keep reading to review our open opportunities.

Apply Online

If you are interested in applying for a position listed below and have read the job description and requirements, you will need to complete an online application. After receiving and reviewing your application, qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.


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Summer Positions

The NSLC is looking for Team Advisors (TAs) for the Summer of 2025. TAs guide students through their NSLC experience – serving as facilitators, presenters, simulation monitors, and resident advisors. The TA position is an opportunity to serve as a mentor and role model for talented young students and share your passion and knowledge of topics within the field of interest.

The Role:

Each TA is responsible for a small group of 12-16 students. TAs arrive on-site 5 days prior to student arrival to participate in a mandatory 4-day orientation & training. This training runs from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. Following training, TAs will work for 9-day sessions with a 3-day break in between. TAs work very long days and are expected to be ready to assist students at any point during the program. A typical day lasts from 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead small group discussions and debriefings
  • Teach academic and leadership sessions, as well as set up and break down activities
  • Assist administrative staff, professors, and leadership facilitators with program components
  • Serve as a chaperone during off-campus trips and evening social activities
  • Reside in the dormitory on the same floors as students, serving as a Resident Advisor

Qualifications:

  • TAs are generally current college sophomores – seniors. Current freshmen are generally considered for our Assistant Team Advisor (ATA) position
  • NSLC has a primary focus on leadership development. Applicants should have leadership experience and/or training
  • Our programs include TA-led sessions that require appropriate educational backgrounds and work/volunteer/intern experience

Compensation:

TAs will be paid $900 at the end of each session. The NSLC pays for room & board, meals during each session (most of which are eaten in the dining hall on campus), and transportation to and from the conference.

The NSLC is looking for Simulation Staff for the Summer of 2025 for our Intelligence & National Security, International Diplomacy, Forensic Science, and Sports Management programs. Simulation staff are responsible for driving & developing NSLC simulations throughout the program sessions. Simulation Staff coordinate and implement the program simulation, teach the simulation exercises, and assist with program logistics.

The Role:

Simulation staff arrive on-site 6 days before student arrival to participate in a mandatory 5-day orientation & training. This training runs from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. Following training, SAs will work for 9-day sessions with a 3-day break in between. Simulation staff work very long days and are expected to be ready to assist students at any point during the program. A typical day lasts from 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM. All Simulation Staff are expected to serve as resident advisors, attend leadership sessions, socials, and guest speakers, and attend field trips and other workshops as their schedules permit.

The NSLC is looking for both Simulation Managers (SMs) and Simulation Assistants (SAs) for multiple 9-day programs as outlined below.

Qualifications:

  • Simulation Staff are generally current college students or recent college graduates.
  • NSLC has a primary focus on leadership development. Applicants should have leadership experience and/or training.
  • Appropriate educational backgrounds and work/volunteer/intern experience is required.

Program Descriptions:

Intelligence & National Security

The Intelligence & National Security Program incorporates a National Security Simulation (NSC) throughout each program session. Following each NSC workshop, NSLC students, representing heads of their respective departments, write action-request forms that fall within their jurisdictions.

National Security Simulation staff:

  • Develop the ongoing simulation by providing each student with a unique response to their action requests, thus illustrating the consequences of all policy decisions in real time.
  • Provide intelligence briefs and “curveballs” during NSC sessions, thus creating unique and diverse policy challenges for students to overcome as a team.
  • Write roughly 25 pages of simulation responses for students per day.
  • Act as Presidents of their own NSC during simulation sessions.

The NSLC’s Intelligence & National Security Program is hiring a Simulation Manager and Simulation Assistants to perform these duties.

International Diplomacy

The International Diplomacy Program incorporates a United Nations Simulation & World Simulation throughout each program session. Following each UN & World simulation workshop, NSLC students, representing heads of their respective countries, write action-request forms within their jurisdictions.

International Diplomacy Simulation staff:

  • Manage the logistics of each simulation in its entirety. This includes:
    • Grade student work and draft daily briefings on group activities.
    • Compile and present information in digestible formats.
    • Create engaging crises within the simulation and shape outcomes.
    • Manage country folders, tally development points, and craft announcements.
  • Provide logistical support in New York.

The NSLC’s International Diplomacy Program is hiring a Simulation Manager to perform these duties.

Forensic Science

The Forensic Science Program incorporates Mock Crime Scene Simulations throughout each program session.

Forensic Science Simulation staff:

  • Formulate these scenes by creating pieces of evidence, setting up the scenes, and aiding students in their investigation. All the mock crime scenes will have physical evidence, as well as additional evidence that students will request in their investigations (e.g. character profiles of people involved in the crime, fingerprint cards, DNA profiles, interviews, etc).
  • Play a key part in the mock trials that take place after the students have completed their investigations and act as judges presiding over the cases.
  • Help and mentor the program staff with their forensic science skills if needed.

The NSLC’s Forensic Science Program is hiring a Simulation Manager and Simulation Assistants to perform these duties.

Sports Management

The Sports Management program incorporates a Client Simulation throughout each program session.

The Sports Management Simulation Manager:

  • Sets up and organizes the agency creation process including:
    • Creating approximately 8 social media accounts for each respective agency.
    • Creating athlete/agency profiles, and background stories, and outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each entity.
  • Communicates directly with the program staff, who serve as presidents of the various agencies.
  • Demonstrate quick-thinking and problem-solving skills to solve issues that arise.
  • Read student letters & emails, as well as coordinate any logistics involving athlete visitation and pairings throughout the session.
  • Facilitate the development of NIL-styled contracts and athlete promotional videos.
  • Manage the Athlete Press Conference and serve as the judge to determine the best agency among the student groups.

Compensation:

Simulation Staff will be paid $900 at the end of each session. Simulation Managers will be paid $1,000 at the end of each session. The NSLC pays for room & board, meals during each session (most of which are eaten in the dining hall on campus), and transportation to and from the conference.

The NSLC is looking for Assistant Team Advisors (ATAs) for the Summer of 2025. ATAs work with their Team Advisors (TAs) to guide students through their NSLC experience – serving as facilitators, presenters, simulation monitors, and resident advisors. The ATA position is a position of learning and many of our past ATAs have considered this position as a “Team Advisor in Training.” The ATA position is an opportunity to serve as a mentor and role model for talented young students and share your passion and knowledge of topics within the field of interest.

The Role:

ATAs work with their TAs to facilitate and supervise a small group of 12-16 students. ATAs arrive on-site 5 days prior to student arrival to participate in a mandatory 4-day orientation & training. This training runs from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. Following training, ATAs will work for 9-day sessions with a 3-day break in between. ATAs work very long days and are expected to be ready to assist students at any point during the program. A typical day lasts from 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead small group discussions and debriefings
  • Teach academic and leadership sessions, as well as set up and break down activities
  • Assist administrative staff, professors, and leadership facilitators with program components
  • Serve as a chaperone during off-campus trips and evening social activities
  • Reside in the dormitory on the same floors as students, serving as a Resident Advisor

Qualifications:

  • ATAs are generally current college freshmen.
  • NSLC has a primary focus on leadership development. Applicants should have leadership experience and/or training
  • Our programs include staff-led sessions that require appropriate educational backgrounds and work/volunteer/intern experience

Compensation:

ATAs will be paid $700 at the end of each session. The NSLC pays for room & board, meals during each session (most of which are eaten in the dining hall on campus), and transportation to and from the conference.

The NSLC is looking for Office Assistants (OAs) for the Summer of 2025. Office Assistants help support the administration of NSLC’s programs by preparing, coordinating, and executing NSLC’s leadership programming. The Office Assistant position is an amazing opportunity to work in the administration of NSLC’s educational leadership programs, all while supporting talented young students.

The Role:

Office Assistants (OAs) work with the Office Manager to complete administrative tasks, facilitate student arrivals and departures, and to serve as a liaison between the NSLC on-site office and the host University. OAs arrive on-site 7 days prior to student arrival to help set up the site for student arrival and to participate in a mandatory orientation & training. This training runs from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. Following training, OAs will work for 9-day sessions with a 3-day break in between. OAs work very long days and are expected to be ready to assist students at any point during the program. A typical day lasts from 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM. OAs reside in the university’s dormitory on the same floors as students.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist with the opening and closing of the site at the beginning & end of the summer
  • Set up and break down rooms for program activities during sessions
  • Answer phone calls and emails
  • Prepare and distribute program materials as requested by the Program Director

Qualifications:

  • OAs are generally current college freshmen – seniors.
  • NSLC has a primary focus on leadership development. Applicants should have leadership experience and/or training
  • Applicants should have a background and interest in organization and logistics coordination.

Compensation:

OAs will be paid $900 at the end of each session. The NSLC pays for room & board, meals during each session (most of which are eaten in the dining hall on campus), and transportation to and from the conference.

The NSLC is looking for enthusiastic undergraduate and graduate students to serve as Photographers and Videographers for our Summer 2025 pre-college, career exploration programs.

The Role:

Through photography and film, you will capture moments of a student’s NSLC experience for family, friends, and parents at home as well as for the NSLC marketing team. This content will be used for our blog, social platforms, and marketing materials. You will interview students about their program activities and guest speakers about their lectures and day-to-day work.

Responsibilities:

  • Shoot, edit and upload daily photographs to our photo website
  • Film b-roll, interview students and guest speakers
  • Manage and update a WordPress Site
  • Capture content for marketing materials
  • Create content for TikTok
  • Work closely with On-site Administration

Qualifications:

  • 2+ years of photography experience
  • 2+ years of experience in Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro
  • Basic knowledge of lighting, composition, and color correction for photograph editing
  • URL link to portfolio/demo reel
  • Good aesthetic eye for capturing content!

Compensation:

Compensation begins at $1,050 per session. The NSLC pays for room & board, meals during each session (most of which are eaten in the dining hall on campus), and transportation to and from the conference.

The NSLC is looking for remote Enrollment Coordinators for the Spring and Summer of 2025. Enrollment Coordinators work with the central NSLC Enrollment Office team and assist students and their families as they prepare to attend their programs. The Enrollment Coordinator is a fully remote administrative role.

The Role:

Enrollment Coordinators will work 30 to 40 hours per week between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM CST, Monday through Friday. Coordinators will be expected to be actively taking phone calls for a minimum of 4 hours a day (9 AM – 1 PM or 1 PM – 5 PM), with 2-4 additional hours dedicated to responding to voicemails, emails, and other administrative tasks.

Employment begins in March (start date flexible) through August 4, 2025. Part-time hours are negotiable in March and April. Starting in May, 30-40 hours per week are required. Paid training will be provided.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist parents and students with enrollment by phones and email
  • Assist parents and students with conference preparation by phones and email
  • Help track payments and forms due before summer programs
  • Work with onsite staff in preparing students for their summer programs
  • Work with other enrollment coordinators in all aspects of customer service

Qualifications:

  • Dependable internet access is required.
  • Excellent customer service skills in verbal and written correspondence.
  • Prior experience with the NSLC as a student or a staff member is preferred.

Compensation:

$18-22 per hour depending on experience.

Our Philosophy

Empowered young leaders create a better world for all of us.

Over 30 years ago, the National Student Leadership Conference was established to provide high school students with a space for academic and career exploration outside the normal classroom. Today, the NSLC has grown to host programs at top universities, giving students the opportunity to explore what college life is like before they graduate high school.

Our students are priority number one.

Everything we do, we do with students in mind. We meticulously develop our program and always ask for student feedback so we can continually improve their experience.

Differences make us stronger.

We work intentionally to hire staff members and guest speakers from a multitude of backgrounds, giving students a variety of unique insights into their career possibilities. Our staff also participates in training to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment.

The best way to learn is by doing.

Our curriculum centers around active, experiential learning and includes valuable leadership skill workshops that can be applied to all areas of life.

Our programs are once-in-a-lifetime.

It may sound cliché, but it’s true – no two NSLC sessions are the same. The students who attend our programs are incredibly unique, and each group of students creates a different, memorable experience together that is impossible to find anywhere else.

Our Hiring Process

Timeline: Applications are reviewed by our team as they are received. We encourage you to submit your application before March 1 for the best chance of consideration. Summer 2025 submissions will close by June 1.

Apply.

After reviewing the job descriptions and requirements, you will need to complete an online application. The online application consists of a few short answer questions and a submission of your resume and cover letter. After receiving and reviewing your application, qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Review.

Our administrative team reads and reviews every application, assessing the submission based on expertise, leadership experience, and first-hand knowledge of the program material. If selected, you will be contacted via email for an interview. Please note that due to the volume of applications submitted, not all applicants will be contacted.

Interview.

One of our administrative team members will reach out via email to schedule an interview. We want to learn more about you and your interests and give you the chance to ask any questions you may have about the position or NSLC.

Offer!

Congratulations! If selected for the position, your director will send you an offer via email. They will also walk you through the details of your program and what to expect leading up to and during your summer with the NSLC.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Applications are reviewed by our team as they are received. We encourage you to submit your application before March 1 for the best chance of consideration. Summer 2025 submissions will close by June 1.

Please start your application under your first choice of location. You will be given the opportunity to mark additional locations that you would like to be considered for.

If you’d like to apply to multiple positions, please be sure to fill out an individual application for each job title. Please be sure to let us know in the space provided that you are applying for multiple positions.

If you are not seeing a particular position or location, we have likely finished hiring in those areas for the season. Please submit an application for your next choice!

Due to the volume of applications we receive each year, not all applicants will receive a response to their submission.

While you are welcome to apply, we encourage you to have at least one year of higher education completed before submitting your application.

Yes! A majority of our summer staff members are upper college-aged or recent college graduates.

Please be sure to carefully proofread your application before hitting submit. If any changes are needed, please email jobs@nslcleaders.org.

Please email jobs@nslcleaders.org for any questions about our application and hiring process.