What are the responsibilities and job description for the Career Coach position at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
This position is 100% Grant Funded for up to four years through the Department of Education
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Career Services & Employer Relations, the Career Coach serves as a key member of the Career Services & Experiential Learning team at Harrisburg University, with a primary focus on delivering comprehensive career counseling and outreach to students. This role supports students, including underrepresented and low-income groups in identifying, developing, and achieving their career goals through individualized coaching, programming, and access to experiential learning opportunities.
The Career Coach works collaboratively with internal departments and external partners, including employers and alumni, to create and sustain career pathways that align with students’ academic and professional aspirations. The ideal candidate brings a strong commitment to equity and inclusion and demonstrates the ability to effectively support a diverse student population.
Key Role Accountabilities
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Career Services & Employer Relations, the Career Coach serves as a key member of the Career Services & Experiential Learning team at Harrisburg University, with a primary focus on delivering comprehensive career counseling and outreach to students. This role supports students, including underrepresented and low-income groups in identifying, developing, and achieving their career goals through individualized coaching, programming, and access to experiential learning opportunities.
The Career Coach works collaboratively with internal departments and external partners, including employers and alumni, to create and sustain career pathways that align with students’ academic and professional aspirations. The ideal candidate brings a strong commitment to equity and inclusion and demonstrates the ability to effectively support a diverse student population.
Key Role Accountabilities
- Provide one-on-one and group career coaching to students, including career exploration, job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, and interview preparation
- Deliver workshops, classroom presentations, and career-related programming to support student career readiness
- Assist students in identifying and pursuing internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning opportunities
- Proactively engage students through targeted outreach strategies to increase utilization of career services
- Establish and maintain relationships with employers, alumni, and community partners to expand career opportunities for students
- Collaborate with faculty and program leads to align career development initiatives with academic programs
- Partner with faculty and program leads to assess gaps in internship availability and proactively engage employers and community partners to co-create opportunities that align with program-specific workforce needs
- Assist in tracking student engagement and outcomes related to career services and experiential learning
- Helping to create "streamlined programming in addition to existing services" by connecting key personnel on collaborative initiatives
- Applies best efforts and full capability each day to the work assigned by own manager.
- Advises manager when:
- An assignment is not understood.
- An assignment conflicts with knowledge of the circumstances, current skills or available time/resources.
- Obstacles to completing the assignment exist or are likely to occur.
- Opportunities to better complete or improve the assignment exist or may occur.
- Understands and demonstrates our cultural expectations.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, leadership, human resources or related field or the equivalent work experience in career services, corporate recruitment and/or corporate/external relations preferred
- Experience in career coaching, advising, student services, or workforce development
- Excellent writing, presentation, project management and interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated ability to develop strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, and employers
- Proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Office computer systems, experience with computer-based integrated student databases and receptive to the use of new technology while also able to utilize web and social media platforms for recruitment; knowledge of LinkedIn, Handshake, customer relationship management (Slate) and a student information system (Jenzabar or Stellic)