July 2026
BISP is recruiting for the Student Academic Specialist 3. This is an in-person, 50% FTE, limited position at the University of California, Berkeley. The appointment dates run from August 14-December 18, 2026. Salary: anticipated salary for Fall 2026 is $36.50/hour.
To apply:
- By July 14, submit your resume or CV to bisp@berkeley.edu
- Subject heading: Academic Specialist position
The Berkeley International Study Program (BISP), part of the Department of Sociology, is a program that invites university students from around the world to take classes alongside UC Berkeley degree students in classes taught by UC Berkeley faculty for one to two semesters. BISP participants take a full-time course load at UC Berkeley through UC Berkeley Extension’s Concurrent Enrollment program structure. BISP students come from all over the world, and often require support in adjusting to the academic, linguistic, and cultural differences.
The Academic Specialist role is a part-time, in-person, limited appointment that works in a team of other Specialists and alongside BISP staff to provide support to the student cohort (averaging 300-400 students per semester). Through advising and facilitation of the BISP Sociology 198 course called “Strategies for Cross-Cultural Learning,” the Specialist supports BISP participants on various issues, including course selection, enrollment, navigation of academic resources, understanding course assignments and deadlines, effective academic skills, emotional resilience, and graduate school and career planning.
The Sociology 198 course is intended to enhance the academic and personal experiences of international students, so they can thrive in and out of the classroom and benefit from a study abroad experience at Berkeley. Each section of the course is worth 1-unit and can only be taken for Pass/No Pass. BISP students have an immersive academic experience, studying alongside degree-seeking students on campus and the BISP Sociology 198 course is the only course that is exclusively with other BISP participants. This gives students the opportunity to have an intimate environment to share experiences and learn of Berkeley history, culture, the American higher education system and build a community with multicultural students sharing a similar study abroad experience.
A syllabus is provided for the course, but the Academic Specialist team may adjust based on students’ interests and needs. The class focuses on three areas, each of which is explored through a combination of lectures, small group activities, and individual assignments:
- Cross-cultural communication
- Skills for success in American college courses
- UC Berkeley resources, history & current events
Each section of the course has approximately 20 students and meets once a week for 1.5 hours during the semester. In addition to facilitating the BISP SOCIOL 198 class, individual advising and support for students constitute a large area of work responsibilities. The incumbent holds weekly hours of advising hours through in-person and/or virtual appointments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Teaching (35%): Facilitates sections of BISP Sociology 198 class: Strategies for Cross Cultural Learning. Leads discussions on cross-cultural communication, skills for success in American college courses and UC Berkeley resources, history & current events in an environment where students come from different cultural and personal backgrounds and with students with varying levels of comfort expressing complex ideas in English. Guides students through personal reflection in a study abroad experience and assists students in developing ideas in group projects. Instruction for BISP Sociology sections start in week 2.
- Advising (30%): Delivers academic and socio-cultural support to visiting international students that enhances academic success through group and one-on-one meetings. Addresses a wide range of learning issues in multiple disciplines. Adapts counseling to specific learning styles and linguistic abilities. Applies and implements innovative academic support service models to support and enhance student learning, academic success, and intellectual development. Refers students to on campus resources (ISS, CAPS, DSS/DSP, SLC, Path to Care, etc) for needed and future assistance as appropriate. The first two weeks of the semesterly appointment will be solely dedicated to one on-one advising with students around course enrollment and course planning.
- Planning and Administrative Tasks (15%): Prepares lesson plans for teaching. Researches resources necessary for advising. Communicates with BISP staff and other campus units to coordinate information sharing for students.
- Meetings and Trainings (10%): Completes required trainings for the role (including FERPA, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Prevention, Accessibility, Workplace Safety, and more). Contributes to and conduct meetings with others on the Academic Specialists team to discuss syllabus, common student questions and concerns, etc. Consults with supervisor on complicated issues and student cases. Researches additional support, services, innovations that can improve advising and/or teaching.
- Other projects (10%): Contribute to projects related to BISP’s internationalization efforts. This may include reviewing course lists, reviewing and editing advising documents, building resources for students.
Job requirements:
- Experience teaching and/or advising international students
- PhD and knowledge of graduate admissions
Other desired qualifications:
- Experience living or studying abroad
- Familiarity with UC Berkeley