Career Coach

Career Coach

Reporting to the Director of the Center for Career Development and Internships, the Career Coach assists students with all phases of the career development process.

Career Coaching:

• Provides a regular schedule of individual career coaching appointments and drop-ins for students and alumni. May at times provide group career coaching sessions.
• Evaluates student needs and provides appropriate resources and support, which might include career assessments and interpretation, resume assistance, job/internship search and interview preparation, and/or assistance developing a career plan.
• Guides students through career assessments and offers understanding and resources to help them research and develop individualized solutions as they make life-changing decisions.
• Utilizes online career management systems (e.g., Handshake, Big Interview), to support student career development and helps students navigate complex challenges in their career development efforts. Documents appropriate notes and records to track students' engagement and progress.
• Promotes Winthrop's Alumni Mentoring Program through coaching interactions.

Career Readiness Presentations and Workshops:

• Conducts career presentations and workshops in the classroom by faculty invitation, at campus conferences and events, and to student organizations.
• Develops, coordinates, and facilitates training and skill development workshops, to include resume preparation, job/internship search strategies, interviewing, experiential learning preparation, networking, LinkedIn, and professionalism.
• Collaborates with other CDI colleagues on customizing and tailoring content, activities, and materials for different student audiences and desired learning outcomes. Co-plan and co-present certain programs when appropriate, with CDI colleagues as well as other campus colleagues.
• Utilizes a variety of delivery methods: workshops, lectures, presentations, meetings and e-learning.
• Represents the CDI at other Winthrop events, such as Admissions events, Study Abroad Fair, Orientation, etc. typically via tabling but can include presentations to students, families and guests.

Paraprofessional Engagement:

• Hires, trains and supervises Peer Career Advisor(s) who meet(s) with students 1:1 for front-line assistance with resumes, CDI services and resources, and Career Closet support.
• Manage the recruitment, hiring, basic training, and timesheet approvals of students for the Literacy Intervention Team (FWS program). Ensure Winthrop has at least one student in this role to maintain the entire FWS program.
• Create or foster relationships with schools and organizations that serve as work sites for the LIT tutors.
• Collaborate with Administrative Specialist to implement new student employee training; assign work to student employees and co-evaluate their performance.

Career Events:

• Contributes to the team activities during the coordination of on-campus career fairs and related events, including networking events, industry meet-ups, etiquette dinners and receptions, and so forth. Activities include set up and breakdown activities, greeting employers, managing student and alumni check-in stations, collecting student and employer surveys, and assists where needed when other CDI team members are unavailable.
• Supports the Associate Director and Director with the implementation of tailored career and competency-building events, such as resume and mock interview days, career panels, and networking after-hours.
• Communicates with campus departments, employers, alumni, and students and works with the career center team to increase student awareness and engagement in events.

Career Closet Management:

• Oversees the Career Closet to track and maintain inventory, responsibly allocates donated funds under the fiscal oversight of the Director, and manages donations of used attire.
• Promotes the Closet to ensure student awareness of and access to professional attire options, including developing flyers and other marketing materials.
• Cross-trains staff on operating procedures for assisting students, accepting donations, etc. Documents standard operating procedures in a Career Closet manual and updates documentation when changes are implemented.
• Serves as point person for planning Pop-up Career Closet events, at least one campus-wide per semester. Based on bandwidth and collaborative opportunities, organize other pop-ups or related programs (e.g., Graduate Students, Senior Week, etc.). Collaborate with the entire CDI team and delegate activities and roles.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Master's degree, preferably in Counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development/Communication or related.
• Working knowledge of career assessments and counseling/coaching techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships that build rapport with all constituents (students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, parents and families).
• Ability to use community knowledge, research, benchmarking, and networking skills to grow and connect students with experiential opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, train, facilitate and conduct presentations.
• Ability to use technology, including career services systems and social media platforms, to increase efficiencies/enhance effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize AI ethically and effectively, and to coach students on the same skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, and Handshake or similar career services management system.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to work successfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in student counseling, career coaching, career services, higher education or placement services.
• Training, experience, and certification career assessments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory) and computer-guided career assessments.

Additional Comments

Travel/Overtime Requirements: Ability to travel and work flexible hours as needed. License/Certification: Certification in Myers-Briggs (MBTI) and/or Strong Interest Inventory preferred. To apply go to Telecommuting: Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.