CAREER ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

About the Role

The Career Engagement Specialist provides comprehensive career coaching and planning services to students and alumni, with a primary focus on career planning and development. This role involves creatively designing and facilitating workshops on career-related topics while coaching students and alumni from diverse backgrounds, interest areas, and abilities.

The specialist guides individuals through career exploration and goal setting, assists in creating and enhancing professional application materials, internship and job search techniques, graduate school search and application processes, professional branding and networking strategies, and interviewing and salary negotiation preparation.

The position advances the professional image of students through strategic outreach, expanding visibility to alumni and employers by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting alumni and employer involvement. The specialist designs and implements professional development programs, experiential learning opportunities, and internship initiatives that enhance student professional development and learning, while coordinating industry guest presenters for career development programming.

Additionally, the role provides guidance to students and faculty in developing strategies for successfully engaging in experiential learning, including internships, undergraduate research, and other learning opportunities, while developing partnerships and opportunities to support and guide student professional development.

Supervision and Reporting Structure

The Career Engagement Specialist reports directly to the Director of the Center for Career Exploration & Development. This position will provide primary support to one of the career communities and secondary support to an additional career community. The specialist works collaboratively with other members of the Center for Career Exploration & Development as well as faculty, staff, students, alumni, and employers within the assigned career community framework to deliver targeted career planning and development services.

Responsibilities

• Provide career coaching for students and alumni through individual appointments, group sessions, and classroom presentations.
• Creatively design and facilitate workshops on career-related topics relevant to the assigned career community, coordinate related events and career development programs, and collaborate with stakeholders on programming needs.
• Coach students and alumni from diverse backgrounds, interest areas, and abilities on career goal setting, internship and job search techniques, graduate school search and application techniques, professional branding and networking, interviewing, and salary negotiations.
• Provide feedback on career-related documents, conduct practice interviews, and administer career assessment instruments where applicable.
• Refer students to other services and resources as appropriate.
• Implement strategies to advance the professional image, expand outreach, and increase the visibility of students to alumni and employers.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni and employer involvement within the assigned career community.
• Develop and implement marketing and outreach strategies to engage students, alumni, employers, and faculty.
• Develop opportunities and administer programs to enhance student professional development and learning.
• Coordinate industry guest presenters for career development programs relevant to the career community focus area.
• Provide guidance to students and faculty in developing strategies for successfully engaging in experiential learning opportunities, including internships, undergraduate research, and other professional learning experiences.
• Facilitate connections between academic learning and career pathways within the designated community.
• Develop strategic partnerships and opportunities to support and guide student professional development within the assigned career community.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, alumni, and industry professionals aligned with community focus areas.
• Collaborate with career services team members, faculty, and campus partners to deliver integrated career planning and development services.
• Share best practices and contribute to continuous improvement of career services programming.
• Maintain accurate records of student interactions, program participation, and outcomes using career services management systems.
• Prepare reports and assessments to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic planning.
• Stay current with trends, best practices, and emerging issues in career development, higher education, and the specific industries represented within the assigned career community.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and apply learning to enhance service delivery.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission of the Center for Career Exploration & Development and advance career outcomes for students and alumni within the designated career community.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, higher education, student personnel, career development, or related field required.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in career services, counseling, advising, or related student development role in higher education or comparable setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of career development theories, job search strategies, and current trends in the employment marketplace.
• Strong understanding of experiential learning, internship development, and employer relations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Proven ability to design and deliver engaging workshops and presentations.
• Experience with career assessment instruments and career counseling techniques.
• Proficiency with career services technology platforms and student information systems, such as Handshake, LinkedIn, CareerShift, and Big Interview.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion in career services delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, career counseling, or related field.
• Professional certification in career development (e.g., Certified Career Services Provider, National Certified Counselor, or Global Career Development Facilitator).
• Experience working within one or more of the designated career communities.
• Familiarity with industry-specific career pathways, credentialing requirements, and employment trends within the assigned community.
• Experience with employer partnership development, internship program coordination, and alumni engagement initiatives.

Work Environment

Work environment includes a standard office setting within the Center for Career Exploration & Development with regular interaction with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and external partners. Position requires flexibility to attend occasional evening and weekend programs and events. Some travel may be required for professional development, employer site visits, or career fairs. The role involves extended periods of computer work, virtual or phone communication, and in-person meetings.

Physical requirements include the ability to sit, stand, walk, and communicate effectively in various settings including office spaces, classrooms, and event venues.

This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Pay

Hiring rate: $62,353.20

Benefits

• Healthcare including vision and dental
• Generous Paid Time Off Policies
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Work Plans
• Educational Benefits
• Career-Enhancing Trainings

About Us

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age. We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history.

We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements. We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small-town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.