About PAL Consultants
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Consultants are trained undergraduate students from a variety of majors and minors. Their job is to be a collaborator and co-learner alongside Furman students as you engage with and work through course content. Our mission is to not only help you learn class material, but to help you become a more effective learner overall.
We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them whenever we have open positions.
September 3, 2026: We are hiring tutors for the 2026-27 academic year!
Our highest priority is to hire tutors for:
- Biology (BIO 110: Molecules, Genes, and Cells; BIO 120: Form and Function of Living Systems; and BIO 130: Populations, Ecosystems, and Global Change)
- These are new courses – feel free to email [email protected] if you’re interested in tutoring but have questions!
- Chemistry (CHM 220)
- Earth & Environmental Science (EES 111, EES 112, EES 113, and EES 115)
- Mathematics (MTH 120, MTH 145, 150, and 151)
- Physics (PHY 111 and PHY 112)
- Sociology (SOC 101)
However, we are also open to applications for:
- Anthropology
- Economics (ECN 111)
- Philosophy
- Religion
Frequently Asked Questions
The application asks you for some basic information, such class year and major(s)/minor(s). We also ask:
- Why do you want to be a consultant?
Then you can choose which one of these prompts you want to respond to:
- Describe a learning experience that left an impression on you; OR
- Describe a time you taught someone a new concept or skill.
Next, you can choose whether you are applying just for PAL or for WML, too. Did you know that you can apply for BOTH programs?! Learn more about the Writing & Media Lab (WML) if you’re not familiar with it.
Finally, the PAL part of the application will ask you about which subject area(s) you want to help with.
Applications for Fall 2024 are due May 1, 2024.
If you’ve never tutored or taught before, don’t worry! We will provide you with onboarding and training before your first official work shift. And great news – all consultants get paid for their training time!
Onboarding Topics
- policies and procedures
- how to manage student sign-ups
- setting up a regular schedule of work hours
- how to log work hours so you get paid
Training Topics
- teaching and learning theories
- tutoring methods for individuals
- how to manage group tutoring
- effective study methods
- test preparation techniques
- metacognitive learning strategies
Some training will be in-person and some will be asynchronous and online via a Moodle course.
Once you’ve been hired and the semester starts, you’ll be responsible for consistently working your scheduled hours.
Consultants:
- are paid $10/hour
- usually work between 4-8 hours per week depending what you tutor
- attend between 2-3 required staff meetings each semester
- are provided with paid time to prepare and review tutoring topics
- can get help with any problems or training needs from one of our Lead Consultants who serve as student leaders on our team
Staff Meetings:
- give you a chance to share feedback and suggestions to improve the PAL Program
- provide you with professional development opportunities so you can learn and grow as consultants
PAL Groups:
- are either for a specific class or are a general study hall for a subject (in a study hall, you work with students on general study skills and test preparation instead of content)
- usually meet every week during the following days: Sunday – Thursday, 5:00 pm-10:00 pm
- usually meet 1-3 times per week, not every night
Still have questions? Email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to answer them!