Why You Should Become a Tour Guide
by Kristen Adams ‘25
Imagine holding a magnifying glass to a beautiful painting, revealing its vibrant colors, hidden stories, and tiny brushstrokes. That’s the role of a tour guide. But instead of a painting, the focus is the beautiful USC campus. Tour guides don’t just show locations, they ensure that every prospective student and their family experiences the passion of USC through storytelling and connection. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider becoming a Student Ambassador (Tour Guide) at USC:
Improve Your Communication Skills
The job of a Student Ambassador at USC isn’t just about walking around and pointing at buildings. It’s about engaging with diverse groups, answering questions on the fly, and being an effective storyteller. These are skills that can be beneficial in any career, whether you’re a theater major, a business major, a journalism major, or an engineering major. This job is for any major, any personality type, any background – don’t feel like you have to be an extrovert to apply for this role.
Deepen Your Knowledge About USC
I applied to be a Student Ambassador during my freshman year, fall semester when I knew next to nothing about USC. As a tour guide, you will learn about USC’s history, traditions, and academic programs through training (that is paid!) which will give you a deeper appreciation for our university. Plus, you’ll know a whole lot of fun facts that you can share with your friends as a party trick.
Stay Active
Forget the gym. Being a tour guide is a great way to get those steps in! As a tour guide, you will be walking around the beautiful campus with your guests and enjoying the sun. Oh, did I mention you walk backwards for (almost) the whole time?
Earn While You Learn
Being a Student Ambassador is a paid position. You get paid to learn more about USC, work on your script, complete office tasks, and give tours each week. I also love being able to work a paid job without having to leave the campus.
It’s a Job and a Community
Being a tour guide is not just about narrating the university’s history and pointing at beautiful buildings, it’s also about being a part of a tightly-knit community at the Admission Center. Your co-workers and fellow tour guides turn into your support system, your mentors, and often, your close friends.
Being a tour guide is more than just a job. It’s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally, connect deeply with the university, and make a tangible difference in the lives of those on your tours. You may have the chance to influence whether someone chooses to apply to, or even attend, USC. So, if you’re passionate about USC, excited to meet new people, and eager to share stories, this may be the perfect role for you.
Applications for the 2023-24 cycle have unfortunately closed as of September 2023. However, applications will reopen before the first day of school in the 2024-25 year. For more information, check out our website.
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Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
