Part-Time Pathfinder

About the role

The role supports young students within middle schools, empowering them to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans.

Responsibilities

• Hold office hours at an assigned middle school in the area
• Meet with middle school students in an academic advising/career coaching capacity
• Maintain student records and meet accountability standards for the middle school and VHCC
• Develop and market activities aimed at informing students, families, and staff members about services provided by the Pathfinder
• Collaborate with principals and counselors to identify appropriate opportunities for communication to increase awareness of Pathfinders in the middle school
• Build relationships with key stakeholders to provide a supportive environment for career development
• Represent VHCC at EO Hub events when respective middle school is present
• Facilitate transitional hand-off to high school Navigators through activities, meetings, and high school visits
• Facilitate field trip for 8th grade students to VHCC in spring semester of each year
• Provide career exploration services through career assessments, group activities, and individual activities/coaching to help align knowledge, skills, and abilities with personal interests to identify career opportunities
• Aid students in creating, reviewing, and revising academic and career pathways to serve as the basis for further career exploration and for planning high school and post-secondary career development opportunities
• Design and implement activities focused on setting goals for career, school, and life
• Introduce students and families to post-secondary educational planning utilizing a variety of resources such as the Virginia Wizard
• Aid students in developing their field of interest, steps necessary for pursuing post-secondary education and activities that increase students’ readiness for post-secondary education
• Introduce students to the concept of Dual Enrollment courses while in high school, to include the 1-1-2 plan
• Provide a week-long summer day-camp, held on the VHCC campus, for all interested students in coordination with other Pathfinders
• Aid students in developing and demonstrating workplace skills including collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and responsible citizenship
• Establish regular follow-up meetings with middle school students to assess effectiveness of actions taken and the need for revisions

Qualifications

• Aceess Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Valid driver’s license
• Expressed ability and willingness to travel to area high schools and to the VHCC campus
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with others
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated understanding of and belief in the mission of Virginia Highlands Community College

Skills

Experience in career development and/or advisement
Experience working with K-8 students
Experience working in a community college setting

Benefits

N/A

Pay

$20 per hr

Schedule

Must be able to work a flexible schedule up to 20-29 hours per week