Catalyst Student Ambassador: Spring 2025
Catalyst Student Ambassador Spring 2025
Southern Research, a non-profit institute in Birmingham, Alabama, has a storied 80-year history of pioneering chemotherapy and developing seven FDA-approved cancer drugs. Recently, Southern Research launched Catalyst by Southern Research, a statewide research program that seeks to provide access to precision medicine throughout the state of Alabama. The Catalyst Student Ambassador Program invites college students in Alabama to promote Catalyst through their unique skills and interests. Ambassadors receive training, professional development, and can earn school internship hours while making a positive impact. Ambassadors are compensated $15 per hour. This application is for Spring 2025.
Program Goals
- Program Promotion and Engagement – Catalyst Ambassadors are expected to share the program with students, researchers, and community members around their communities. The ambassadors receive training in promoting the program and also receive talking points to answer questions from their community. Student ambassadors encourage participants to learn more about enrolling in the Catalyst program.
- Engaging Diverse Partners – Ambassadors are intentional about promoting the program among providers, community members, and students who are interested in participating in precision medicine, free genomic sequencing, and clinical trials. As a result, students will meet with community members who could actively benefit from utilizing the Catalyst platform.
- Promoting Partnerships – As Catalyst Ambassadors, students are expected to seek out collaborations and partnerships with student organizations, community organizations, and key faculty members who may be beneficial in Southern Research’s Catalyst program. Students will report on the program every month and discuss any collaborations they have championed.
Qualifications/Skills
- Leadership experience in your student organizations, community groups, or other networks
- Strong communication and writing skills with an ability to connect with diverse audiences.
- Passion for a unique program that has statewide support promoting access to healthcare, particularly for underserved, minority, and rural populations.
- Desire to work with promoting a unique program that has statewide support and influence.
- Applicants should be undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled and attending an academic institution in Alabama.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA Completion of application, letter of recommendation, two references, resume/CV, and an unofficial transcript.
Responsibilities
- Community Engagement: Design and implement creative strategies to recruit participants for the Catalyst program within your community.
- Event Planning & Execution: Organize and carry out events, workshops, and networking opportunities to promote Catalyst and educate community members about genome sequencing and precision medicine.
- Collaborative Networking: Build partnerships with local organizations, student groups, healthcare providers, and key community leaders to broaden Catalyst's outreach.
- Outreach & Education: Serve as a resource for community members, providing accurate information about the benefits of genome sequencing, precision medicine, and clinical trial participation.
- Strategy Development: Tailor recruitment and engagement plans to address the specific needs and characteristics of your community, with guidance from Southern Research.
Benefits to You
- Hands-on experience in a cutting edge research study, community outreach, recruitment, and event management. As a student ambassador, you will be trained in promoting the program and will receive talking points to answer questions from your community. You will encourage potential participants to learn more about enrolling in the program and meet with community members who could actively benefit from utilizing the Catalyst platform. Students will also grow in familiarity with research principles and learn how to discuss research-related topics in professional settings.
- Mentorship and leadership development from Southern Research staff and Catalyst Board Members. Catalyst Ambassador students will be mentored by SR staff as they promote the program. Ambassadors receive feedback in their public speaking, event planning, and program management. At the beginning of the ambassadorship, students will work with SR staff to plan their goals and objectives for the semester. This is an excellent opportunity to understand the fundamentals of program planning, as well as how to quantify success and provide metrics.
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community by promoting cutting-edge healthcare.
- School internship credit for a wide array of majors/minors. Catalyst Ambassadors can receive school required internship hours for their participation in the program. The number of hours will depend on the level of engagement and activities completed by the ambassador. An SR representative can work with you to tailor this experience for your academic needs (if applicable/desired).
Schedule
Catalyst Ambassadors will work up to 12 hours/week. Your schedule will be discussed upon acceptance with your supervisor.
Location
Anywhere in Alabama
Apply Today
If you are interested in becoming a Catalyst Ambassador, please fill out the application HERE. If you have questions concerning the application process or the program, please send them to catalyst@southernresearch.org.