Part-Time Undergraduate Social Media Assistant

The Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering is seeking an undergraduate student to help manage and develop the department's Instagram account. This position is an opportunity to gain experience in social media strategy, digital communication, photography, video production, and storytelling while helping showcase the people, programs, research, and activities of the department.

Compensation: starts at $15 per hour
Expected Commitment: Approximately 6-8 hours per week, with occasional additional hours for major events
Appointment Period: Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a social media content calendar.

• Create engaging Instagram posts, stories, and short-form videos.

• Highlight student experiences, faculty achievements, research, courses, alumni, and department events.

• Attend selected events to take photographs and videos.

• Draft captions and prepare content for department review.

• Monitor account activity and respond or refer questions as appropriate.

• Track basic engagement metrics and recommend ways to improve the account's reach and effectiveness.

• Ensure that content is professional, inclusive, accurate, and consistent with Penn State and College of Engineering communication standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong written and visual communication skills.

• Familiarity with Instagram, including posts, stories, reels, and basic analytics.

• Experience with photography, video editing, graphic design, or social media content creation.

• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage a regular posting schedule.

• Good judgment regarding professional communication, privacy, and appropriate online content.

• Interest in architectural engineering, engineering education, student life, or departmental communications.

• Familiarity with tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar platforms is desirable but not required.

The position is open to Penn State undergraduate students. Preference will be given to Architectural Engineering students, particularly those who are familiar with the department's academic programs, student organizations, facilities, and culture.

Application Materials

Interested students should submit:

• A brief statement describing their interest in the position.

• A resume.

• Two or three examples of relevant work, such as social media posts, photographs, graphics, videos, or other communication materials.

• A short sample Instagram post or reel concept promoting the Department of Architectural Engineering.

• Their anticipated weekly availability.