Join Our Team

+ What do Trip Leads do?

Trip leads are the backbone of Peaks - they make this whole org possible! By volunteering their time, Leads plan and facilitate our trips - from the professors to the hikes to all the logistics inbetween.

Your responsibilities include attending weekly meetings on Tuesdays at 8:30pm, leading 2+ trips every semester, co-leading other leads' trips, attending a weekend retreat every semester to cool SoCal locations, and generally representing Peaks well. (If you have some kind of conflict that prevents you from making it to our weekly meetings, no biggie - just let us know in advance.)

+ Why should I apply?

• Spread the joy of the beautiful California wilderness by bringing people into the outdoors!
• Develop your leadership skills by planning & facilitating trips
• Connect with other student leaders, faculty members, and professionals
• New friends! (We're cool, we promise.) The trip lead body is very close-knit and we do tons of fun social events like Peaks & Pints and Peaks Prom
• Weekend retreats to beautiful locations such as Joshua Tree, Mojave, Anza-Borrego, etc. every semester
• Freedom to create new initiatives within the org (Peaks & Patagonia, Peaks & Professionals, etc.) and learn new skills (graphic design, marketing, etc.)
• Broaden your intellectual horizons with engaging conversations in incredible places
• A perpetually propagating plethora of puns guaranteed, or your money back

+ Who is eligible?

Applications are open to currently enrolled USC students with a minimum of 3 semesters to go (not counting the current).

+ What are the requirements/what are you looking for in applicants?

Our leads are super diverse and represent a really broad spectrum of skills & backgrounds - there are no set requirements we're looking for other than being able to fulfil the minimum time commitments (attending meetings, leading trips, retreat, etc.). In fact, the more diverse the better - we want to know what makes you unique, and therefore what you can bring to Peaks that no one else can!

However, being a trip lead requires a level of responsibility and leadership far above that of a participant. We're looking for applicants who demonstrate the kind of leadership and initiative it takes to lead successful trips, as well as an understanding of and enthusiasm for spreading the Peaks mission.

Things you DO NOT need: any intense outdoors experience or formal trip planning experience.

Things you DO need: examples of leadership ability, desire to Think Outside, ability to be both professional enough to talk to professors & personable enough to talk to participants, MUST produce a plethora of puns.

+ Do I need to have participated in past Peaks trips/events?

No, you do not need to have participated in any past Peaks trips or have any outdoors experience to apply. Although we highly encourage you to come on some trips and to our information sessions to make sure you understand what Peaks is all about! (Plus we want to see your beautiful faces.)

+ What if I have no outdoors experience?

No worries! As long as you appreciate nature, we can train you and provide the resources/knowledge you may need for any kind of outdoors trip - no formal wilderness/trip leading experience of any kind is necessary.

+ I applied a previous year and didn't get in, can I apply again?

Absolutely! We unfortunately have to turn away qualified applicants who we love every year, due to the sheer number of applications we get - you are beyond welcome to re-apply a following year.

+ Who can I get in touch with if I have questions?

We have wonderful recruitment directors, Maya and Julie, who you can get in touch with via email at mbreddy@usc.edu and piccolo@usc.edu - or you can use our contact form here.

+ Other tips & tricks ;)

• Show us what it is about you that would make you a great LEAD, above and beyond a participant - how can you create the best possible experiences for your future participants when you're leading trips? What unique experiences/skills/passions do you have that would help Peaks continue to grow and best serve the USC community?
• Make sure you understand our mission and values, and have ideas on how we can further those on our trips & on campus.
• Be yourself (generic, we know - but it's truly what we're looking for).
• Puns & dad jokes are more than welcome.