Student Catalyst Guides and Trainees
Position Overview
The mission of the University of Kansas School of Business is to advance and impart business knowledge while preparing students to be leaders who positively contribute to business and society.
Catalyst, a program of the KU School of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Area, supports students who have a venture or are developing a new idea by providing mentoring and other support. In Stage 1, participants attend cohort meetings focused on entrepreneurship and professional development through hands-on learning. These meetings are led by students who have progressed through the Catalyst program.
This posting is seeking students interested in training to lead Catalyst cohorts (Stage 2) or those ready to independently lead a cohort (Stage 3). As time allows, Stage 2 and 3 students may also continue working on their own venture ideas. Catalyst team members will expand their networks through meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and other partners.
Applicants should be prepared to represent the KU School of Business professionally. Reliability, responsiveness, and adherence to the School’s Code of Conduct are essential throughout employment.
Catalyst, a program of the KU School of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Area, supports students who have a venture or are developing a new idea by providing mentoring and other support. In Stage 1, participants attend cohort meetings focused on entrepreneurship and professional development through hands-on learning. These meetings are led by students who have progressed through the Catalyst program.
This posting is seeking students interested in training to lead Catalyst cohorts (Stage 2) or those ready to independently lead a cohort (Stage 3). As time allows, Stage 2 and 3 students may also continue working on their own venture ideas. Catalyst team members will expand their networks through meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and other partners.
Applicants should be prepared to represent the KU School of Business professionally. Reliability, responsiveness, and adherence to the School’s Code of Conduct are essential throughout employment.
Job Description
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
30% - Mentor Stage 1 Catalyst students by sharing insights from cohort topics and your own venture experience.
30% - Participate in leadership and mentor development activities to strengthen facilitation and coaching skills.
20% - Attend and actively engage in weekly Catalyst cohort meetings.
20% - Apply research and feedback to advance your venture or idea.
30% - Mentor Stage 1 Catalyst students by sharing insights from cohort topics and your own venture experience.
30% - Participate in leadership and mentor development activities to strengthen facilitation and coaching skills.
20% - Attend and actively engage in weekly Catalyst cohort meetings.
20% - Apply research and feedback to advance your venture or idea.
Required Qualifications
- Successfully participated for at least 10 weeks in Stage 1 of the Catalyst program.
- Must be available to attend regularly scheduled cohort meetings, mentoring sessions, and leadership development training as listed above.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrates curiosity and a willingness to learn as shown in application materials.
- Shows resilience and adaptability when facing challenges as shown in application materials.
- Ability to follow through on ideas and projects to completion.
- Strong interest in networking and building new professional relationships.
- Displays an opportunistic mindset and seeks ways to add value.
- Open to feedback and coachable for continuous improvement.
Position Requirements
During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).
Employment Conditions
(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.
(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Submit online application, resume, and cover letter outlining why you would like to be a Guide or Trainee, include the key items that you learned and/or experienced during Stage 1 in the Catalyst program.
To ensure consideration apply by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time 2/24/2026.
To ensure consideration apply by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time 2/24/2026.
Contact Information to Applicants
Ryan Rains
ryan.rains@ku.edu
ryan.rains@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Minimum $10.25 per hour
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday January 20, 2026