Summer Jobs

Thank you for your interest in working with the Great Books Summer Program. We are now accepting applications for our 2013 season.

Outstanding undergrad and grad students wanted: Every summer GBSP hires Program Assistants to work along side our distinguished faculty and staff at each of our program locations. Our PA's are top college students who have at least completed their freshman year at the best universities around the country. Program Assistants join us for the opportunity to work with outstanding students and help them to explore great books and big ideas. Applicants for these competitive positions are reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply now.

If you are interested in applying for a position this coming summer, you can download our Application Form and our Letter of Reference Form below in either Word or PDF format:

2013 PA Application		Word Application
		PDF Application

2013 Reference Form		Word Reference
		PDF Reference

We require three letters of reference to accompany all new applications, although these may be submitted after the application itself. Completed applications may be e-mailed as an attachment to info@greatbookssummer.com or a hard copy may be mailed to:

Great Books Summer Program
attn: Summer Employment
79 Sanford Street
Fairfield, CT 06824

Job Descriptions

Program Assistant

Job Qualifications:
Ideal candidates for on-campus, resident Program Assistant (PA) positions will be responsible, high-energy, compassionate, dedicated and flexible college students who have completed at least their freshman year of undergraduate studies. PA's must be personally reliable and team-oriented, as well as conscious of their responsibilities as role models for young people. A love of literature and intellectual discussion is important. Previous experience working at a summer program or with young people is a plus. All majors are welcome, though the position may have special appeal to literature and education students and recent grads. Special interests such as music, art, writing, sports, debate, theater, etc. help enrich the program experience for students.

Job Description:
Each PA is responsible for supervising and engaging a group of six to eight middle or high school aged students (supporting their intellectual and social growth, supervising their activities and exercising concern and care for their physical and emotional well being). PA's lead informal discussions with their groups on a daily basis, and they often act as Teaching Assistants in formal group discussions depending upon their experience and abilities. In addition, PA's help run the elective courses offered that culminate in a final performance evening of student writing, theater, art and music. Program Assistants lead the students in informal break activities such as touch football, swimming, hikes, games, and jam sessions. PA's work closely with the program faculty to create an exciting, welcoming and fun learning environment.

The Great Books Summer Program is offered to two age groups: the Intermediate Program (entering grades 6-8) and the Senior Program (entering grades 9-12). Program Assistants will arrive at their designated campus—Stanford University on Thursday, June 20, 2013, Amherst College—on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 or for Oxford University- on Thursday, July 20, 2013 for orientation with trained Great Books instructors and faculty. PA's will be given one day off per sessions but will be expected to assist with weekend duties and excursions.

Session Dates & Locations:

There are four Amherst Intermediate Program sessions (June 30- July 6; July 7-13; July 14-20; and July 21-27) and five Amherst Senior Program sessions (June 30- July 6; July 7-13; July 14-20; and July 21-27; and July 28-August 3).
There are three Stanford Intermediate Program sessions (June 23-29; June 30- July 6; and July 7-13) and three Stanford Senior Program sessions (June 23-29; June 30- July 6; and July 7-13).
There is one Oxford Senior Program session (July 21- August 3).

If you would like additional information about either position or our program, e-mail us at info@greatbookssummer.com.

You can reach us by phone during normal business hours (9:00 am—5:30 pm Eastern time, Monday-Friday). Our toll-free number is 1-866-480-READ (7323). If we are not here to answer your call, please leave us a voicemail and we will return your call as quickly as possible.

We look forward to hearing from you!

"I am deeply impressed by many aspects of this program, including the warmth and professionalism of the staff, the rigor and creativity of the curriculum, and the physical beauty of its setting. But what impresses me most, are the students themselves."

Dr. Debby Applegate, Pulitzer Prize-winning author

"Every summer, all I have to do is mosey on down from my hilltop home overlooking Amherst College, and walk into an ongoing conversation about the Big Stuff. It always feels like an intellectual transfusion."

Dr. Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize-winning author

"I will mark Amherst as my most memorable event of the year, simply because of the smartest and most generous kids I was surrounded with. I wish they could be my students forever..." "

Da Chen, award-winning, best-selling author

"What a terrific curriculum and an enthusiastic group of young people. Made me want to drop everything and sign up."

Barry Eisler, best-selling author

"The students were such an engaged and smart and interesting group. I really enjoyed talking to them but mostly just appreciated being asked such a varied array of questions. It was a lot of fun."

Jacob Lewis, former managing editor of The New Yorker magazine and co-founder of Figment.com

"The Great Books program is a midsummer night's dream- I adored the kids and it all felt so alive and was so much fun! The faculty was warm and embracing. So important to keep literature alive and connect with kids who want to read books! "

Laura Shaine Cunningham Memoirist, novelist, playwright and journalist

"I enjoyed talking to and listening to the your kids. They are an impressive bunch. "

Dr. Richard Reeves Award-winning author, journalist and documentary filmmaker

"I loved my experience with the Great Books Summer Program. The students were brilliant and involved even beyond my expectations, really the ideal young audience for a writer. "

Peter Straub, Award-winning author

"I give a lot of talks to a lot of groups all over the country and world, but I've never had a more engaged, interested and interesting audience than the students at the Great Books Summer Program. They were clearly primed to learn and think. I hope I gave them some useful ideas about writing and the writing life; I know they inspired me. "

Kurt Andersen, Award-winning author, editor and co-creator of Studio 360 radio show

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