Career and Professional Development Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant

PeopleAdmin•Naperville, IL

About The Position

Position Summary: The Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant will enhance the Center for Career & Professional Development’s capacity to deliver high-quality, student-centered career education. In this role, the GA provides one-on-one coaching, staffs drop-in hours, leads tailored workshops, and supports core departmental operations. The GA also assists with the development of career resources, supports the Cardinal Career Closet’s operations, and represents the CCPD at campus events. Through these responsibilities, the GA helps ensure students have the guidance, tools, and confidence needed to explore career options, build professional skills, and prepare for internships, jobs, and post-graduate opportunities. Opportunities for Graduate Students: The Career and Professional Development Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant will begin in Fall 2026. Graduate students in the Higher Education Leadership program will gain hands-on experience in student support, coaching, and program development. This role provides meaningful opportunities to apply theories of student development and career coaching practice through direct support to students, workshop facilitation, and campus partnerships. Graduate students in the Organizational Leadership program will engage in designing and delivering training for student staff, supporting operational processes, and collaborating with campus offices. The role provides opportunities to apply leadership theories related to team development, organizational culture, communication, and student engagement. Graduate students in the MBA program will deepen skills in communication, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. They will contribute to program development, help refine resource materials, and participate in career-related initiatives that support student career readiness.

Requirements

Accepted into a graduate program at North Central College.
Strong interest in student development, career education, and/or higher education administration.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
Ability to provide direct service to students through one-on-one coaching, drop-in consultations, and workshop facilitation.
Demonstrated ability to support diverse student populations, with an awareness of identity-informed needs and a commitment to student engagement.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, projects, and student engagement initiatives simultaneously.
Familiarity with career development topics such as resume writing, job and internship search strategies, graduate school planning, interviewing, and LinkedIn/Handshake (training provided to successful candidate).
Proficiency in creating or updating student-facing resources such as handouts, slide decks, and worksheets.

Responsibilities

Consult with students during Drop-In Center hours to provide career-related guidance, including resume and cover letter reviews, Handshake and LinkedIn profile consultations, and internship/job search strategy sessions.
Host individualized, one-on-one career coaching appointments with students.
Develop and deliver career programming tailored for identity-based student groups (first-gen, students of color, LGBTQ+, commuters, international, students with disabilities, transfers, etc.).
Serve as a visible ambassador to help students navigate career resources and build confidence in the career preparation process.
Support and represent the Center for Career & Professional Development ( CCPD ) at various campus events (admitted student days, Rall Symposium, tabling events, etc.).
Support Associate Director with ongoing operations and student engagement efforts for the Cardinal Career Closet (inventory, marketing, outreach, and student usage tracking).
Build and pilot virtual drop-in hours to expand accessibility for commuter and graduate students.
Assist in developing training and professional development learning opportunities for Career Peer Advisor Team.
Create or update student facing resources (e.g. handouts, slide decks, worksheets) on topics related to resumes, cover letters, job/internship search, networking, and interviewing.
Provide administrative support for the College’s primary job and internship platform: Handshake.
Other duties as assigned.