The Coordinator of Career Development Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for the university’s career development initiatives, working closely with students, faculty, and community partners to align academic pursuits with workforce opportunities. As part of the university’s broader engagement with employers, the Career Development Specialist will develop relationships with industry partners to expand internship and experiential learning opportunities. This position plays a central role in guiding students through career exploration, supporting their preparation for employment or further study, and facilitating valuable connections with employers.

This position requires the ability to be highly organized, work independently, take initiative, maintain confidentiality, provide excellent customer service, and possess excellent writing skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• 2-4 years’ experience leading student career development and or similar initiatives, including advising/leading students in internships and other workplace experiences and developing community partnerships
• Ability to articulate an understanding of the higher education landscape and the trends related to career competitiveness in higher education
• Knowledge of current issues and best practices in career development
• Understanding of the university’s mission, goals and strategic priorities
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including tact and diplomacy, as well as organizational and planning skills, with attention to detail and follow through
• Strong relationship-building, networking and leadership skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills

Primary Responsibilities

Career Development

• Serve as the point of contact for the university’s career development initiatives; work with students, faculty and community partners to develop career opportunities that align with degree studies and workforce skills.
• Counsel students on career planning and preparedness. Identify students’ needs regarding career planning, employment, and graduate school and adapt services to meet those needs.  Provide students with career assessment services to evaluate interests, strengths, and preferences.
• Assist students with career exploration, job search strategies, resume writing, and interview preparation.
• Create, manage, and provide career development content for Averett 110 (IDS 110) freshman seminar course.
• Manage the CareerGenie career platform to share both on and off campus career opportunities among students, alumni and employers.
• Partner with the Office of Financial Aid to support Averett’s work-study program to best impact student’s skill development and career goal alignment.
• Manage and coordinate the University’s career and graduate school fairs. Collaborate with various academic departments to provide targeted fairs as needed.
• Create, manage and deliver an annual calendar of career and graduate school fairs, dynamic workshops and events that develop students as professionals and provide opportunities for students to network with community leaders. Work with university stakeholders (Alumni Relations, Student Life, faculty, etc.) to develop workshops and events.

Internships and Employer Engagement

• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers to expand internship and experiential learning opportunities that align with student career goals through close collaboration with both faculty and staff in the new continuing education center.
• Collaborate with employers to understand industry trends and workforce needs, and relay this information to students, faculty and appropriate staff.

Secondary Responsibilities

Data Reporting and Monitoring

• Work with Institutional Research office to help manage the collection of data and data analysis of results relevant to the career planning and placement of students and alumni. Administer the NACE First Destinations survey to students at the time of graduation.  Provide annual career outcomes data to the Office of Institutional Research for reporting to various third-party reporting sites.
• Track credit-bearing and non-credit bearing workplace experiences including: internships, field study, etc.

Submit Letter of Interest, Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), and 3 Professional References to: [email protected]

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2025. 

Please note:

• Background checks are required for all positions.
• An applicant must have an unrestricted right to work in the U.S.
• Averett University’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, published in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, can be found at https://www.averett.edu/wp-content/uploads/9.30.21-ASR-for-2020.pdf.
• Averett University’s policies, programs and activities, including hiring practices, comply with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression and veteran status. Inquiries related to the University’s compliance with Title IX should be directed to Averett’s Title IX Coordinator, Amanda Estabrook, at [email protected]. Additional contact information, reporting options, and the University’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy can be found at https://www.averett.edu/about-us/title-ix/. Inquiries may be made externally to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights: https://www.ed.gov/ocr.
• Averett University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.