Career Specialist

Department: S3C • Location: Abilene, Texas • Employment Type: Full-Time • Minimum Experience: Mid-level

About the role

The Career Specialist develops and administers scaffolded experiential learning opportunities for students and assists students, current and past, in developing skills and gaining experiences they need for success in academic and work settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop programs for First Year students focused on Discovery and Exploration, including strengths assessment, personality traits, and career discovery.
• Develop programs for Sophomore students focused on Building Essential Skills and Readiness, including aligning personal and professional goals and creating experiential opportunities such as shadowing and micro-internships.
• Coordinate internship experiences for students by working with faculty, students, and sponsors to provide necessary resources for successful experiential learning opportunities.
• Research, identify, recruit, engage, and sustain opportunities for students’ internships and postgraduate job placements.
• Conduct individual career counseling with students, including assessment of interests, values, and skills, experiential learning opportunities, major exploration, and post-graduate planning.
• Maintain student records and communicate with faculty advisors (e.g., student tracking).
• Develop and implement internship and career-related workshops, programs, fairs, etc.
• Maintain accessible resources for students and faculty (in career library and online via the Globe and website).
• Conduct program evaluation and assessment, including articulating goals, objectives, and outcomes; data collecting and benchmarking; and report writing.
• Develop policies, forms, and publications as needed.
• Design and provide faculty development opportunities related to experiential learning and career development.
• Develop and monitor departmental budgets.
• Oversee management of accessible database for students, alumni, and faculty.
• Participate in determining the marketing of programs and communicate student experiences to the campus community.
• Stay current on job trends, job search techniques, etc., and provide input on new program development that aligns with trending opportunities.
• Serve on campus committees as appropriate and represent the college to off-campus groups, businesses, and agencies.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in counseling, student services administration, higher education, human resources, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Previous experience in college career services or similar experience in career development in a business environment.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of student development and career development.
• Experience building partnerships with businesses, agencies, and schools.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, especially in collaboration, conflict resolution, problem solving, and decision making.
• Strong organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and constituents.
• An inclusive, student-centered philosophy of providing services and resources.
• Ability to work well without close supervision.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office, Jenzabar or other student information systems).