Career Specialist

Career Specialist

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020. Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title - Career Specialist

FLSA - Non-Exempt

FT/PT - Part Time

Hours Per Week - 25

Work Schedule - Monday-Friday

Position Salary Range - $25

The part-time Career Specialist serves as a member of the Career Services team, providing career advising and employment-related assistance to students, alumni, and community members. The Career Specialist supports individuals in exploring career options, establishing career goals, developing professional documents, and implementing effective internship and job search strategies. The Career Specialist helps students and alumni develop and demonstrate career readiness competencies through career advising, assessments, workshops, employer engagement, and experiential learning opportunities. This position serves as the primary coordinator for employer recruitment activities, including on-campus employer tabling opportunities. The Career Specialist promotes career readiness and student engagement through individual appointments, workshops, classroom presentations, outreach activities, and career-related programming. This position is based on campus in Columbia, Maryland, and requires a commitment of 25 hours per week.

Career Advising & Student Support

• Meet individually with students, alumni, and community members in person and virtually to provide career advising and job search assistance.
• Assist individuals with career exploration, career decision making, goal setting, and development of individualized career action plans.
• Administer and interpret career assessments, including Focus-2 and other approved career development tools.
• Utilize career assessments, career readiness tools, labor market information, and industry resources to help students evaluate career options and strengthen professional competencies.
• Conduct resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews.
• Provide interview preparation, including mock interviews and job search coaching.
• Assist students in identifying internship, employment, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Coach students in identifying, developing, and articulating career competencies as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
• Refer students to appropriate campus and community resources when additional support is needed.
• Maintain accurate records of appointments, services, and student engagement activities.

Employer Relations & Recruitment Coordination

• Serve as a liaison between Career Services and employers, community organizations, and workforce partners.
• Coordinate employer recruitment activities, including on-campus and virtual information sessions, interviews, and tabling events.
• Maintain positive employer relationships and assist employers in connecting with qualified students and graduates.
• Help collect and maintain recruitment, participation, and hiring-related data and reports.

Programming, Presentations & Outreach

• Develop and facilitate workshops and presentations on career exploration, resume development, interviewing, networking, job search strategies, career readiness, and professional skill development.
• Conduct classroom presentations and outreach activities to increase student awareness and utilization of Career Services resources.
• Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of career fairs, job fairs, employer networking events, and other Career Services programs.
• Support recruitment and coordination of volunteers for departmental events.
• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to integrate career readiness competencies into academic and co-curricular experiences.

Marketing & Communications

• Create and distribute promotional materials for Career Services programs, events, and resources.
• Develop social media content utilizing Canva and other approved marketing tools.
• Respond to inquiries from students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff through phone, email, and other communication channels.

Other Duties

• Participate in departmental meetings, training, and professional development activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required - Bachelor's degree

Experience Required - Bachelor's degree. Demonstrated knowledge of career development principles and job search strategies. Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral, and written communication skills. Ability to effectively work with diverse student, alumni, employer, and community populations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Outlook, and online career platforms. Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information. Regular and reliable attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling, Human Services, Higher Education, Business, Human Resources, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience providing career advising, workforce development, employment services, or career services in a higher education setting.
• Experience administering and interpreting career assessments such as Focus-2.
• Experience using Handshake, Career Launch, or similar career management platforms.
• Experience developing and delivering workshops, presentations, and student programming.
• Knowledge of labor market trends, employer recruiting practices, and career readiness competencies.