Counselor/Teaching Assistant, BEAM Discovery (Los Angeles)

About BEAM

The mission of BEAM is to create pathways for students from low-income and underserved communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. Led by staff with these same technical backgrounds, BEAM believes that pathways to STEM careers are created through community, individual support, and access to advanced work that typically lies outside most school curricula. We work to directly support students and to transition them to other supportive enrichment programs that enable their future success.

BEAM's model provides continuous support from middle school through college graduation, including intense academic summer programs for middle school students (after 6th and 7th grade), weekend classes and mentoring, and STEM-focused support through college. Our program includes not just access to learning advanced math but also support finding and applying to other opportunities, including support with college admissions and financial aid. In addition to our academic content, bringing students into community is a key part of our mission and all of our work is designed to support that goal.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 420+ students at six summer program sites and 600+ students in year-round programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition, our BEAM National pilot program now reaches over 500 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work.

With our strategic plan, our team has committed to transforming the organization from a successful startup to a more mature and scalable organization that can drive change across the country.

COUNSELOR/TEACHING ASSISTANT, BEAM DISCOVERY

This summer, be part of a transformative experience for students from low-income and historically marginalized communities with exceptional potential in math. Be a role model, guide, and friend to your students as they begin their path to advanced mathematics.

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a project of the Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc., is seeking undergraduate students or recent graduates to be counselors and teaching assistants for a summer program that gives everyone a chance to excel in mathematics. During summer 2026, we will run two programs: BEAM Discovery and BEAM Summer Away.

BEAM Discovery is a cornerstone of BEAM's 10-year Pathway Program, providing a residential math experience where students grow as problem solvers, learners, and community members. As a counselor, you will help students discover powerful mathematical ideas, build confidence, and see themselves as mathematicians.

Learn more about our 10-year program.

What You'll Do:

At BEAM Discovery, you'll create a vibrant social experience for kids who are discovering for the first time that there are other people who like doing mathematics. In this role, you'll also be a TA for classes on topics such as number theory, combinatorics, problem solving, and computer science. Courses taught at BEAM are designed by our faculty members and focus on topics in mathematics that they're passionate about and chosen by students based on what they are interested in. Be a role model and guide for students who are just beginning to set their educational path!

As a Counselor/Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Supervise students.
• Run social and community activities.
• Build a positive social environment.
• Work with students on mathematics, both one-on-one and as a teaching assistant.
• At Discovery, help students get to-and-from the program in travel groups.
• Support with preparing for student arrival and departure, such as morning greetings, setting up materials, and end-of-day cleanup.

Who You Are:

Counselors must be strong mathematically, be reliable, and take initiative. They should be charismatic and able to help the kids have fun. All counselors must be at least 18 years old by the beginning of the program . In addition, applicants must be authorized to work for an employer in the US . We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time. International students able to obtain CPT or OPT are welcome to apply.

For more information and program details, including examples of what a typical week would look like, please visit

What We Offer:

• Working with an awesome team, including a Site Director and Director of Student Life (who is an experienced counselor), and trained guidance counselor.
• Empowered as a leader – opportunity to exercise leadership skills in a fun environment.

LA Programs

During summer 2025, we will run math programs that serve Los Angeles middle schoolers. We run two programs: a residential camp at a college campus in Southern California, and a day program in central Los Angeles.

Application Process and Deadline:

• The initial step is to submit your application, including an unofficial transcript, resume, and responses to some short application questions, via our online portal.
• If you are interested in being considered for multiple locations, you only need to complete one application.
  • Candidates will be asked for their location preference.
• When your application is complete, we will follow up with next steps. The final step of the process is an interview with an experienced BEAM staff member.
• For accommodation requests related to the job application process, please contact HR at [email protected].
  

Details:

• Hours: Counselors will average around 7.5 hours on duty per day from 8:30-4:30
• Dates/Location: Central Los Angeles
  • All Staff Pre-camp Training: 06/16 - 06/18 (Juneteenth Observed)
  • Camp: 06/22 - 07/24
  • Staff Wrap-up: 07/27 - 07/28
• Compensation:
  • $19.50/hour
  • You are paid for travel time when traveling with groups of students to camp and back to their homes.
• BEAM Discovery does NOT cover housing
  

Benefits

BEAM provides a number of benefits, including:

• Lunch and snacks, with options for dietary restrictions on weekdays through all training and camp days.
• 2-3 staff dinners during camp to relax, connect, and celebrate together
• Limited, assigned parking is available (Los Angeles)

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Beyond a commitment to nondiscrimination, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

BEAM is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual's race (including traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protected hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), ethnicity, religion (including clothing or facial hair worn in accordance with the religious tenets), color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, breastfeeding, gender (including actual or perceived sex, gender identity, and gender expression including a person's actual or perceived gender-related self-image, appearance, behavior, expression, or other gender-related characteristic, regardless of the sex assigned to that person at birth), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran, active military service member, or uniform service member, marital or partnership status, familial status, caregiver status, age (18 or older), predisposing genetic characteristics, disability, creed, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, unemployment status, salary history, credit history, an individual's status as having a known relationship or association with a member or members of a protected category, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination.

All personnel decisions will be made in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and subject only to valid (job-related) requirements for employment, benefits, or promotional opportunities.