2026 - 2027 College Access Mentor

Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) and AmeriCorps 

Hiring Now: Position start August 2026 through January 2027

Overview: 

You aren’t just looking for a job, you’re looking to make an impact. At IYT, we’re dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and replacing it with a college-to-community pipeline. We’re looking for leaders, big brothers and sisters, and change-makers to join our Mentor Fellowship Program. 

How You’ll Make An Impact 

• Be the Blueprint: Guide 25-50 boys and young men of color as they navigate middle, high school and college. 
• Open Doors: Help students crush their college applications and secure financial aid 
• Lead the Vibes: Run workshops on civic engagement, life skills, and “Brotherhood” activities 
• Connect the Dots: Keep parents in the loop and bridge the gap between home and school 

Is This You? 

• You are passionate about social justice and equity in education  
• You can vibe with teenagers and command a room  
• You’re organized enough to handle data (we use Salesforce, and we’ll teach you) 
• You can commit to the mission (Monday-Friday 1-2 Saturdays a month) 

The Hiring Timeline 

• Apply: 5-10 minutes 
• Screening Call: 15 minute vibe check within 7 days of applying 
• Interview: 45 minute deep dive into your passion and skills 
• Offer: Within 48 hours of your final interview 
• Start Dates: Rolling start dates run from August 2026 to January 2027 

Your First 90 Days: The Roadmap  

Learn how we invest in your growth, giving you the foundational support you need to hit the ground running.  

• Days 1-30: Complete your Pre-Service Orientation where you’ll learn the IYT secret sauce, meet your cohort, and get assigned to your school site.  
• Days 31-60: You’ll begin managing your caseload of students. You’ll lead your first workshop and start building those “Brotherhood” bonds 
• By Day 90: You’re now a pro. You’ll be advising on FAFSA, planning college tours, and seeing real progress in your students' grades and confidence.  

Perks That Actually Matter: 

• Health & Wellness: Medical benefits (if eligible) mental health workshops
• Student Loan Relief: Defer your loans while serving earn the Segal Education Award to pay them off 
• Flexibility: While we follow school hours (8am-5:30pm), we prioritize a culture of wellness and support 
• Network: Get direct access to our IYT Alumni Network and professional career advising  
• Professional Development opportunities
• Near Peer Mentorship 

Benefits of Service: 

IYT Mentors receive a bi-weekly stipend, medical benefits (if eligible), loan deferment (if eligible), professional development, career advising, access to Alumni Network and much more! Upon the successful completion of the service term, IYT Mentors receive a monetary educational award. Please see more details for your region below.

• Earn an Education Award upon completion of program requirements
  • Earn up to or between $1,565.08 to $10,000  Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be applied towards qualified student loans and college expenses (pending hourly commitment). Contingent on the number of years served. 
• Eligible for Student Loan Deferment and Student Loan Forgiveness (for all loans that qualify)
• Gain Career Readiness, Leadership Development training, Access to Alumni Network and Career Resource counselor and that prepare you for your career path and to be leader
• Participate in Wellness workshops designed to support  mental health, wellness, and personal empowerment.
• Access to Guaranteed admissions (only available to previous IYT members).

Terms of Service: 

Terms of Service for 20 and 40 hours per week begin August through January 2027. 

Bay Area 

• 40 hours per week: $1,275.00
• 20 hours per week: $528.26

Central Valley

• 40 hours per week: $1,250.21
• 20 hours per week: $517.99

Sacramento

• 40 hours per week: $1,250.21
• 20 hours per week: $517.99

More Information 

The Mentor Fellowship Program serves youth during the 2026-2027 school year with service terms beginning August 2026, 

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages individuals in community service addressing education, public health, disaster response, environmental conservation, and more. IYT partners with AmeriCorps to provide service opportunities focused on increasing college access for disadvantaged youth. Through this partnership, IYT Mentors serve as role models, leaders, and advocates for students and families.

Additional Requirements

•  Must pass National Service Criminal History Check
•  FBI fingerprinting 
• National Sex Offender Registry 
• State background check 
• Attend Pre-Service Orientation 
• Attend Mentor Fellowship Training 
• IYT provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

IYT provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other protected status 

Salary : $1,034 - $2,550