Job Description: The Career Specialist will provide one-on-one and group career advising and coaching to undergraduate students who are planning for graduate and professional school after graduation. Career advising and coaching will include but is not limited to resume and CV writing, cover letter and personal statement writing, mock interviews, class presentations, career and major exploration, graduate/professional school search strategies, shadowing/job/internship search strategies, and professional career transition topics. Career Specialists will be trained to provide general career advising to all majors but will have liaison areas focused on outreach and relationship building with students, faculty, and academic advisors to reach students who are planning to attend graduate or professional school.
Advising
Advise and coach students in one-on-one and group settings (including workshops and class presentations) to include but not limited to resume reviews, mock interviews, career and major exploration with a particular focus on incoming students identified as pre-professional and majors often focused on graduate school, professional career transition topics, graduate and professional school search strategies, and shadowing/internships/job search strategies. Stay current on trends, resources, research, and recruitment activities that impact students who are applying to graduate and professional school. Research career information and resources to assist students with career decision-making.
Liaison
Serve as a liaison with academic departments, student services offices, and student organizations to support students who are preparing for professional or graduate school. Liaison duties include communicating about programs, graduate and pre-professional school planning services, and student needs. Outreach to student organizations preparing for graduate and professional school. Work closely with academic advisors to help students plan for prerequisites and other academic qualifications for continued education.
Collaborate with academic advisors and faculty on discipline specific advising teams. Work with Counseling Services, Disability Services, and other Student Affairs areas to increase awareness of this service for students interested in graduate/professional school. Work with Career Center Team to disseminate information to all career advisors on graduate and professional school preparation and make appropriate referrals.
Programming
Includes but is not limited to developing and presenting to classes and student organizations on topics related to graduate and professional school planning; assist with implementation of career fairs, networking events, and information sessions with graduate admissions representatives visiting campus; assist department with additional programming efforts that support career planning for all majors and career interests.
Collaborate with Career Center team to assess and identify needs of students and develop career advising and programming strategies. Collaborate with Internship Coordinators to coach students and connect them to related practical experience opportunities. Plan and present workshops and class presentations. Review career assessment information with students and develop career exploration plans and strategic career plans. Collaborate with academic advisors and faculty informally as well as on discipline specific advising teams.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field; and previous work experience in career services, academic advising or related functional area with one-on-one advising interactions within a college setting.
Assessing student needs and working with them to develop career action plans to prepare for graduate and professional school; Knowledge of employability skills and ability to help students see connection between graduate/professional school preparation and future employability; Identify, select, and implement career coaching/advising/counseling interventions and techniques appropriate to student goals;
Written and verbal communication skills; Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and internet research; Workshop/program planning and presentation/execution skills; Interpersonal and relationship building skills; Knowledge of student and career development theories and their application in practice; Creative, conscientious, and dedicated; Capable of multi-tasking and setting priorities within a team environment.
Experience advising college students and delivering career planning related programs within within a higher education environment; Ability to use and learn career management and career development technology to assist students and contribute to departmental assessment plan; Research and use career, occupational, graduate/professional school, and employment information for guiding students; Strong technology skills related to the area of career counseling/advising including: career planning, occupational search, and graduate/professional school search tools and resources and/or career assessments (e.g., LinkedIn, Holland Self-Directed Search, MBTI, StrengthsQuest, computerized career guidance systems such as Focus2, career management systems such as Handshake, social media, etc.); Using and learning technology for the purpose of administrative duties, accessing online career resources, and using departmental career management tools; Demonstrated experience creating and presenting educational workshops/programs; Experience with building and maintaining successful working relationships with students/alumni, faculty/staff, and employers; Ability to travel for professional development; Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment supportive of a public liberal arts mission.
Preferred Qualifications: Completed or currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field; A candidate should also have at least one year of experience working in a college career services, academic advising, or related university department with one-on-one advising responsibilities. Candidates should have experience in and an understanding of career advising at a collegiate level and knowledge of the professional and graduate school application process, educational programming, counseling, advisement, and ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff. Candidates should also have a commitment to student success and to diversity in an educational setting.