US-Remote, Washington, DC Preferred
Troy, Michigan
Moore, Oklahoma
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Posted: 06-Jan-25
Location: Merced, California
Type: Full Time
Salary Details:
Internal Number: 75053
The Career Specialist for the School of Engineering provides student professional development activities and implements career readiness education, such as internships, career development programs, and employer engagement in order to support and facilitate the academic, professional and personal development of students within the School of Engineering. The core responsibility of this role is to provide career readiness programming and career coaching to students and alumni, including assessment of student/alumni goals and interests, resume review, interview preparation, networking techniques, self-branding and effective job/internship search tactics to ensure market- and employer-readiness. This position uses coaching techniques and conducts practice interviews (behavioral and technical). This position also plays an integral role in the design, delivery and management of career and professional development programs, seminars and sessions (online and in-person), in order to educate Engineering students on effective career management, and also assists with the collection and reporting of statistics on student employment outcomes. Additional responsibilities include providing relevant market insight to students, participating in career services events, and creating, developing, and maintaining relationships with industry-specific contacts. This position may also develop, deliver, and evaluate career development programs to build foundational career skills of students and alumni. This position reports to the Associate Director, Career Education in the Student Career Center, Office of Leadership, Service and Career.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Designs and delivers career programming, expert facilitation, presentations and direct service to enhance student career readiness throughout the student experience. Develops programs and interventions to assist students (first year through graduate students) in developing career pathways including self efficacy & career identity, employability skills, and professional brand development, networking, reflection and interviewing skills, project based, practical and applied experience and job search success.
- Integrates programming experiences for Engineering students into the academic and broader student experience with a focus on providing context for culturally diverse first generation students at a growing research university. Consults and builds collaborative partnerships with academic department leaders, key faculty, student affairs and advising staff.
- Develops, oversees and incorporates career readiness initiatives as part of a broad and complex campus and external community. Convenes alumni, community professionals and employers in the career exploration, professional development and advancement of students from first year to graduate students and alumni. Develops and facilitates unique career exploration and professional development platforms such as career meet ups, virtual sessions, panels and employer treks. Researches and develops online content delivery methods and collaborates in professional skills course design development with faculty and staff where needed.
- Provides expertise on experiential education models and guides, monitors, and supports students pursuing and completing internships or practical/applied experiences. This includes on-campus internships as well as off-campus internships and digital badges.
- Establishes a robust strategic communication, outreach strategy, and referral network with engineering academic units, key faculty, professional student organizations, academic advisors, and campus collaborators. Develops creative, relevant, and scalable strategies to inform, coach, motivate, and engage engineering students in building and pursuing their career pathways. Oversees the delivery of broad and highly complex career-focused programs and events that incorporate the needs of organization partners/constituents.
- Creates and implements strategic communication strategies to inform campus stakeholders of trending career readiness competencies, job market dynamics and relevant pre and post graduate opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Constructs and administers program assessment to determine learning outcomes and track student engagement in services along with internship and employment and/or graduate school outcomes. Uses data in program design and decision making. Develops reports from that data as requested by the Schools, Director and Executive Director.
- Develops thorough knowledge of career program technical and information systems, processes and protocols.
- As a professional member of the Office of Leadership Service and Career and directly serving the School of Engineering, supports broader team and campus initiatives related to student success, advising, campus community collaboration, equity, and access. Manages projects/events and performs other duties as assigned.
- Provides content expertise as appropriate in support of key initiatives within the School of Engineering.
- Research, identify and outreach to employers offering internship and employment options well aligned with the interests, knowledge and skills of UC Merced Engineering students and alumni.
- Facilitate employer information sessions during on campus and virtual visits and develop in-depth knowledge of organizations and opportunities available to students in Computer Science Engineering, Mechanical, Environmental, Civil, BioEngineering, Materials Science and related disciplines. Make recommendations to employer relations team for new organizations to engage on behalf of UC Merced students.
- Plan and facilitate student introductions and referrals to employers of interest, facilitate student preparation for job and internship applications and assist in marketing engineering students and graduates to potential employers.
- Support special initiatives developed with corporate partners to further enhance career readiness and talent pipelines.
- Support employer relations team efforts by actively communicating to engineering students about internship and employment opportunities and engaging students. Conduct needs assessments and obtain feedback from employers regarding results of candidate referrals and job performance of interns and graduates.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited university. (Required)
- Advanced degree Masters degree in field related to human services, educational administration, business development, or other relevant background Required Work Experience. (Required)
And
- Minimum 5 years of directly related experience, or equivalent experience/training. (Required)
CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
- Demonstrated expertise in program development, career coaching, and relationship management, such as recruiting; human resources; talent development, or career services activities is required.
- Experience working with faculty, staff, and students at all levels (particularly with First Generation Students) in Engineering and Computer Science. (Preferred)
- Advanced communication skills, including outreach, group facilitation, coaching, presentation and/or teaching experience, and written skills.
- Experience in the use of online tools, including recruiting tools, CRMs, and social media, to communicate and match employers with students and alumni. Strong ability to design and modify computer applications to meet program needs. (Preferred)
- Strong ability to work with people from diverse cultures.
- Advanced knowledge of academic programs, career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, and employment trends. (Preferred)
- Advanced knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice; project and program design. (Preferred)
- Qualified candidates should demonstrate the proven ability to lead in a highly collaborative environment, possess excellent relationship-building, organizational, planning, and analytical skills, and be self-motivated.
- Ability to travel to corporations, conferences, job fairs, and other events on occasion. Ability to work evening and weekend hours when needed.
Background check is required.
HOW TO APPLY
An online application is required for each position to apply. The Career Specialist, School of Engineering position and application link are listed on the University of California, Merced website here: https://jobs.ucmerced.edu/n/user/main.jsf under job number 75053.
The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact [email protected].