Career Consultant - Alumni Focus

Wilfrid Laurier University•Waterloo, ON

1d•CA$47 - CA$54•Hybrid

About The Position

The Career Development Centre, reporting jointly to Student Affairs and Teaching & Learning, engages students and alumni in their career development as an integral part of the Laurier experience. This encompasses delivery of comprehensive programs and services that support experiential learning, career decision-making, employment preparation, facilitation of connections with the employer community, and pursuit of further education opportunities. The Career Consultant – Alumni Focus is accountable for co-ordinating the provision of career development programs and services for Alumni including the assessment of client needs; specialized and diverse expertise in career management strategies; awareness of the stages of career development based on individual client needs; career education research and staying current on career development theories and approaches; development and delivery of career planning and employment preparation programs through individual appointments (in-person, phone, and virtual) and workshops to address the unique needs of alumni; the development of print, webinar, social media and resources; and the establishment and maintenance of relationships with internal and external stakeholders and staff. This consultant will support alumni career situations, e.g., challenges securing employment right after graduation due to unique circumstances, organizational downsizing and/or underemployment challenges, performance management and work culture issues as well as mid-career transitions. Specifically, this includes assessment of needs, building relationships with alumni seeking career services and helping them leverage immediate employment opportunities. The incumbent is responsible for designing career modules to support The Laurier Alumni Career Hub (LACH) with deliverables including: the Career Strategies Certificate, collaborating on the 10K Coffees platform for events and office hours, and host panels, roundtables and employer events to support networking and connections. This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Requirements

Graduate degree (preferably with training in counselling, assessment, Human Resources and or/education) with four years of related experience (career consulting).
Knowledge of career development theories/practices, academic programs, and job search strategies and techniques.
Experience and certification (as required) in the use and interpretation of standardized tests including interest and personality assessments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CliftonStrengths, Strong Interest Inventory, CareerLeader).
A sound knowledge of Laurier’s institutional profile, strategic plan, faculties and departments.
Knowledge of employment standards, and labour market trends with the ability to interpret and communicate these trends to clients.
Awareness of job search resources, strategies and recruitment practices in the domestic and global context.
Strong facilitation and presentation skills in both formal and informal settings with experience in the development and delivery of programs, presentations, on-line modules, seminars, the facilitation of groups and organization and management of events.
Excellent ability to manage multiple priorities with strong organizational skills.
Experience with project and program development, co-ordination and implementation.
Ability to work independently and in teams as well as the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of stakeholders.
A strong commitment to achieving challenging objectives and a willingness to be flexible in rearranging work schedules and priorities.
Expertise in transitional and career preparation services for graduate students.
Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to provide guidance and detailed feedback using email and other web-based tools, the ability to compose effective resources, information articles, announcements, and promotional materials.
Strong computer skills in MS office required, excellent IT literacy and web research skills, knowledge and experience in the use of social media, webinar and on-line learning technology.
Awareness of current issues in higher education, strategic enrollment management, retention and transition from post-secondary to employment or further education.

Nice To Haves

This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Responsibilities

Support students in developing their career strategy by communicating various tools and frameworks to help them develop focus in terms of career goals and a feasible action plan.
Provide one-on-one career and employment consulting consistent with the needs of undergraduate and graduate students, and with the philosophy of the career consulting unit including the administering and interpretation of personality and interest inventories and incorporate these results into career consulting and job search. This role also includes providing same-day appointments, where students and alumni can have a shorter appointment concerning a career-related question.
Assist clients in developing effective employment/job search techniques including skills identification, employer research and networking, professional brand development, resumé and cover letter writing, interview preparation, salary negotiation and career management strategies. This would include the ability to identify information about global employment trends and job search strategies including working/volunteering abroad.
Support clients in making meaningful career choices through assessing their values, interests, personality and skills; and relating these to opportunities for employment, further education and/or training. The consultant assists clients in making informed decisions, develops strategies to carry out career plans and advises on how to present themselves effectively throughout the employment planning process.
Identification of individual client needs (including, but not limited to, students experiencing crisis, grief, potential barriers) and referral to appropriate student support services (i.e., Wellness Centre, Study Skills and Course Support, Accessible Learning, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).
Responsible for gathering and communicating relevant professional information and acting as a resource for other staff and student volunteers in their distinct portfolio area of expertise. The incumbent will be required to prepare resource materials for students on various topics related to career planning and job search, in hardcopy and electronic formats.
Research, develop and deliver presentations on career planning and employment preparation including topics related to the Canadian labour market, workplace culture, and job search practices utilizing a variety of media.
Co-ordinate career-related programs involving external speakers such as professionals in the field, co-ordinate mock interviews sessions with recruiters, host coffee chats and networking sessions.
Develop resource materials, including print and multimedia resources. This could include writing articles and creating (planning) materials such as brochures and career education and professional development handouts. This role requires extensive knowledge of diverse career-related information including, but not limited to industries, professional associations, regulations, and certifications; further education option, entrepreneurship and the possibilities of setting up a business. Regularly contribute postings to department's social media channels.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in defining the needs of undergraduate and graduate students and in the development of relevant programs; liaise, build and steward relationships with university departments and academic staff in order to integrate career development.
Design career modules (or elements within them), deliver modules to classes; integrate career development into the student experience. Career consultants work with academic colleagues to promote the employability of undergraduate and graduate students, including career education within the curriculum.
Advocate and advise for incorporation of career relevant integrated learning (experiential including strategic volunteerism, summer and part time employment opportunities, internships, appropriate projects).
Research, design, co-ordinate and deliver career development and employment preparation curriculum and programming for workshops and delivery in person and virtually.
Responsible for gathering and communicating relevant professional information and acting as a resource and subject matter expert for other Career Centre and Laurier staff. The consultant will be required to prepare resource materials for alumni on various topics related to career planning and job search, in hardcopy and electronic formats.
Build relationships with students and alumni in mid and senior level positions and facilitate networking opportunities among students and alumni/contacts in industry.
Proactively seek and research industry and career related resources to ensure that students and alumni have current information about specific job markets and industries.
Make relevant recommendations on how best to leverage corporate partners, alumni, resources and peers within the department and the school to support program development and networking (i.e., panels and speakers).
Familiarity with the use and interpretation of standardized testing procedures such as career interest surveys and personality assessments, knowledge of theory and practice in the field of career development; training in counselling theory and practice, knowledge of educational programs, knowledge of labour market trends and the interpretation and communication of these to individuals making career decisions, expertise in transitional and career preparation services and awareness of job search resources and strategies in the global context. The Career Consultant has ongoing responsibility to keep current with emerging developments in the profession.
Ongoing knowledge acquisition through conferences, collegial networks and professional/academic literature on emerging theories and practices in the field of career development and practice across Canada and internationally.
Contribute to the setting and attainment of departmental goals by participating as a team member, attending regular meetings and contributing professional information to other Career Centre staff.
Act as a subject matter expert in distinct portfolio providing knowledge to team members, colleagues, and other staff. Contribute professional knowledge for professional development within the Career Consulting unit.
Participate in departmental activities at the Career Centre, i.e., staff meetings, Convocation, Further Education and Job Fairs.
Participate as a team member within the department, e.g., assisting in other departmental areas as required, participating in departmental professional development activities and departmental special events.