Career Coach

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

• Career Coaching
  • Provides a regular schedule of individual career coaching appointments and drop-ins for students and alumni.
  • May provide group career coaching sessions.
  • Evaluates student needs and provides appropriate resources and support, including career assessments, resume assistance, job/internship search, interview preparation, and career planning.
  • Guides students through career assessments and offers resources to help them research and develop individualized solutions.
  • Utilizes online career management systems (e.g., Handshake, Big Interview) to support student career development and helps students navigate complex challenges.
  • Documents 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 classrooms, at campus conferences, events, and for student organizations.
  • Develops, coordinates, and facilitates training and skill development workshops on resume preparation, job/internship search strategies, interviewing, experiential learning, networking, LinkedIn, and professionalism.
  • Collaborates with CDI colleagues to customize content, activities, and materials for different student audiences.
  • Co-plans and co-presents programs with CDI colleagues and other campus partners.
  • Utilizes various delivery methods, including workshops, lectures, presentations, meetings, and e-learning.
  • Represents the CDI at Winthrop events such as Admissions events, Study Abroad Fair, and Orientation.
• Paraprofessional Engagement
  • Hires, trains, and supervises Peer Career Advisor(s) who assist students with resumes, CDI services, and Career Closet support.
  • Manages recruitment, hiring, basic training, and timesheet approvals for students in the Literacy Intervention Team (FWS program).
  • Ensures Winthrop maintains at least one student in the LIT role to sustain the FWS program.
  • Creates or fosters relationships with schools and organizations serving as work sites for LIT tutors.
  • Collaborates with the Administrative Specialist to implement new student employee training, assign work, and co-evaluate performance.
• Career Events
  • Contributes to team activities during on-campus career fairs and related events, including networking events, industry meet-ups, and etiquette dinners.
  • Assists with set up, breakdown, greeting employers, managing check-in stations, and collecting surveys.
  • Supports the Associate Director and Director with 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 to increase awareness and engagement in events.
• Career Closet Management
  • Oversees the Career Closet, tracking and maintaining inventory, allocating donated funds, and managing donations of used attire.
  • Promotes the Career Closet to ensure student awareness and access to professional attire.
  • Cross-trains staff on operating procedures for assisting students and accepting donations.
  • Documents standard operating procedures in a Career Closet manual and updates as needed.
  • Serves as the point person for planning Pop-up Career Closet events, including at least one campus-wide event per semester.
  • Organizes additional pop-ups or related programs based on bandwidth and collaborative opportunities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree, preferably in Counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development/Communication, or related field.
• 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 with all constituents (students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, parents, and families).
• Ability to use community knowledge, research, benchmarking, and networking skills to 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 and enhance effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize AI ethically and effectively and to coach students on the same skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Handshake or similar career services management systems.
• 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 in career assessments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory) and computer-guided career assessments.
• Certification in Myers-Briggs (MBTI) and/or Strong Interest Inventory.

Additional Information

Ability to travel and work flexible hours as needed. Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting at the discretion of the supervisor.