Top 10 reasons to be a Cal ambassador
10. You immediately become part of the Visitor Center family. And you get paid!
9. You get more involved in your future Alma Mater.
8. You're the envy of all when you're driving around campus in a golf cart.
7. You hear fun memories from alumni about their times here at Cal.
6. You get a discount at the campus store!
5. You can entertain your friends and parents for hours with Cal facts.
4. You always know the cool stuff happening around campus.
3. You meet visitors from around the world.
2. You help people make good decisions about choosing a school.
1. With 30 people hanging on your every word, you look super popular.
Check out our students favorite places on campus and learn about several of our most popular fields of study.
Videos
Campus tour guides are formally known as campus ambassadors, which more accurately reflects their range of responsibilities. If you're interested in becoming an ambassador, please sign up for our email list, so we can keep you informed.
2012 Hiring Timeline
- November 9, 2011, 7:00 pm: Information Session, 20 Barrows Hall
- November 14, 2011: Online application available
- December 2, 2011, 2:00 pm: Application deadline
- January 21, 2012: Auditions
- Late January 2012: Notification
Please send an email to tour@berkeley.edu if you have any questions.
FAQs
What does being an ambassador mean?
Campus ambassadors are the public face of the University. Being an ambassador is more than giving tours to campus visitors; ambassadors are UC Berkeley advocates who promote and protect the university as they share the history and culture of the campus as well as their experiences as a Cal 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 do you look for when hiring a campus ambassador?
Students who
- Reflect the diversity of the student population.
- Are active in the Cal community
- Share a strong enthusiasm for the university.
- Speak multiple languages (a plus)
- Have a passion to help serve our underrepresented communities
All students who are excited about the opportunity to share their college experience with campus visitors are encouraged to apply.
When do you hire new staff?
Visitor Services hires once a year. Applications are available online in mid- to late November. The application period for 2012 hiring is closed. If you're interested in becoming an ambassador, please sign up for our email list, so we can keep you informed.
What kind of work do ambassadors do?
Campus ambassadors perform three main types of work: guiding tours, staffing the Visitor Center front desk, and staffing the Campanile.
Tours include public walking tours, as well as tours for schools, non-profit organizations, business groups, guests of campus departments, guests from abroad, VIPs, and, of course, prospective students and their families. Tours are usually 1 - 1 1/2 hours long. Trained ambassadors also provide electric cart tours.
At the Visitor Center, campus ambassadors greet visitors, sign them in for tours, provide information, and answer questions.
Visitor Services also manages Sather Tower (the Campanile), where ambassadors staff the ticket desk and assist in elevator operation.
Campus ambassadors also work during special campus events such as Cal Day and Homecoming.
What are the work hours? How many hours a week do you work?
Ambassadors are expected to be available to work a minimum of 10 hours a week, and normally work 5-7 hours a week. There are opportunities to work on Saturdays and Sundays, but most work takes place Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-3:30 pm. Ambassadors are scheduled to work as their availability permits.
Being an ambassador is a fun and rewarding job, but remember that it provides only a limited number of hours of work a week.
Do I have to work summers, or winter/spring breaks?
Newly hired ambassadors are required to work for their first summer (generally mid May-mid August). During winter and spring breaks, we need as many ambassadors on hand as possible, and we welcome and encourage your availability.
Does it qualify as work-study?
Yes, we welcome and encourage work-study applicants.
Can I apply as a freshman?
Absolutely. For the benefit of our visitors and prospective students, we hire only second-semester freshmen. Applicants should have customer service experience and involvement in campus activities.
Can I apply as a senior?
We hire very few seniors because training is very time intensive and as graduation approaches, their focus tends to shift toward completing their degree. However, we have hired some awesome seniors.
How does the application process work?
You must first complete an online application in late November. Qualified applicants participate in an all-day group audition in January, followed by individual interviews in late January for those applicants selected from the audition. Final hiring and training take place in February. New ambassadors will generally begin to lead tours in March.
What is the audition like?
The audition is a lot of fun. It's an opportunity for you to show us your personality. It is easier to stand out during the audition than it is during the one-on-one interview, which is more structured.
What kind of training do guides receive?
Newly hired ambassadors are trained and mentored by seasoned guides on all aspects of guiding tours, including tour presentation, customization, campus facts, and customer service. There is a tour guide manual with extensive information about the university that tour guides are required to know. New guides will not lead a tour until they are deemed ready.
Do you ever get tired of saying the same thing?
Not if you're good at your job. Tours are interactive. Each tour has different visitors and thus a different atmosphere, so although you may be saying offering the same information, it will always be received in a new way. This keeps you at the top of your game. Also, as you gain more experience, the information you offer should change, reflecting current events.
Do I have to be able to walk backward?
It helps, but you don't have to right away. There will be enough time and opportunity to practice walking backward.