University Counselor I/II – College to Career Specialist Position Overview

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced University Counselor I/II – College to Career Specialist Position Overview at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Position Overview

The University Counselor I/II – College to Career Specialist plays a crucial role in guiding students in a variety of career-related and student development practices including self-discovery and reflection, understanding the world of work, experiential learning, tapping into social networks, advanced education, on-campus employment, part-time and full-time jobs.

The University Counselor I/II – College to Career Specialist will utilize knowledge of career theories, current research, and best practices in the knowledge domains of student development, career development, student learning, decision making, learning styles, social identity development, leadership, identity development, counseling processes, evaluation tools, social media and AI tools, and job/internship search processes.

Additionally, the University Counselor I/II – College to Career Specialist will support the goals of Wayne State University's Strategic Plan, the College to Career (C2C) Initiative, and Student Success 2.0 through the delivery of career development services that promote student engagement, career readiness, experiential learning, and post-graduation success.

The University Counselor I/II – College to Career Specialist will work closely with the Manager of Student Engagement and the Manager of Employer Engagement to increase student participation through programming, career readiness initiatives, experiential learning opportunities, and employer engagement activities.

Position Description

Career Counseling/Coaching (50%)

• Serve as a Career Services liaison for WSU schools and colleges as assigned.
• Contribute to student learning, development, and enhanced educational experiences through working closely with students to help them better understand the process of making thoughtful career decisions. Engage in counseling, advising, and coaching with clients at all phases of their career development.
• Demonstrate excellence in career coaching by helping students develop career readiness competencies, connect academic experiences to career pathways, and successfully transition from college to career.
• Knowledge of Handshake and promotion of the platform as a recruiting and career engagement tool that connects students with employers, enables appointment scheduling with University Counselor I/II College to Career Specialists, and facilitates participation in networking and career development events.
• Create and implement activities and events that support the College to Career student journey model and advance the goals of the College to Career Initiative, Student Success 2.0, and Wayne State University's Strategic Plan.
• Use and develop resource expertise to educate students regarding access to career information to aid their career planning and job/internship search.
• Work with students to identify experiences that are meaningful to them and encourage participation in student organizations, community service, employment, research or creative projects, and experiential learning opportunities across multiple sectors.
• Develop innovative ways of bringing the world of work to students to help inform their career thinking and planning.
• Use current technology such as LinkedIn and Generative AI to demonstrate to students how to effectively leverage these tools. Stay informed about emerging technologies and assist Career Services in remaining at the forefront of innovation.
• Assist students in understanding and reflecting on the transferability of their academic coursework as they explore career and educational pathways.
• Support students in implementing their career and educational choices through resume development, interviewing strategies, job-search techniques, networking, employer and graduate school selection, and offer negotiation.
• Promote the highest standards of the profession in accordance with the principles, ethics, and standards of NACE, Midwest ACE, ACPA, NASPA, and established Student Affairs best practices.
• Help students understand the importance of self-awareness and reflection in translating educational experiences into meaningful career pathways and lifelong career management.
• Design and implement initiatives utilizing the College to Career Initiative mission and research to maximize participation among students, campus partners, employers, and community stakeholders.

Workshop Facilitation and Events (15%)

• Create and present interactive programs and workshops that engage diverse student populations across the Schools and Colleges.
• Utilize technology and presentation/facilitation best practices to engage audiences and ensure workshop objectives and learning outcomes are achieved.
• Facilitate small-group dialogues around identified career topics, demonstrating effective group facilitation and leadership skills.
• Support Career Services events such as Career Fairs, Career Treks, Etiquette Dinners, and related initiatives.

Career Technology and Student Engagement (20%)

Career Readiness Technologies (e.g., Big Interview)

• Develop and implement strategies to increase student engagement with career readiness technologies and online career preparation resources, including the current platform, Big Interview.
• Manage account access and user support for career readiness technology platforms.
• Serve as the primary liaison with technology vendors and product support teams to address operational needs, platform enhancements, and service issues.
• Monitor platform utilization and prepare semester-based reports on engagement, usage, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with Career Services staff and campus partners to promote effective use of career readiness technologies that support interview preparation, job search strategies, and career development.

Career & Workforce Insights (e.g., Steppingblocks)

• Develop and implement strategies to increase student, faculty, and staff engagement with career data, workforce intelligence, and career outcomes technology platforms, including the current platform, Steppingblocks.
• Promote the use of labor market information, career outcomes data, workforce trends, and analytics to support career exploration, informed decision-making, and career readiness initiatives.
• Support university-wide collaboration with academic colleges, departments, and campus partners to leverage career and workforce data in advancing student success, retention, career readiness, and post-graduation outcomes.
• Develop presentations, reports, dashboards, and educational materials utilizing career outcomes data, labor market intelligence, and workforce analytics.
• Monitor technology utilization and prepare semester-based reports assessing engagement, impact, and student outcomes.
• Participate in vendor training and remain informed regarding emerging trends, platform enhancements, and best practices in career technology and workforce analytics.
• Train and support Career Services staff, campus partners, faculty, and students in the effective use of career data and workforce analytics tools and resources.
• Support institutional initiatives, including Career-to-Career (C2C) and other strategic workforce development efforts, through the application of career outcomes data, labor market intelligence, and technology-enabled solutions.

Data Management (15%)

• Maintain accurate and timely records and statistical information on clients using Handshake and other relevant tools.
• Analyze and communicate data trends that support operational effectiveness and student success outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field that includes the study of career development, student development, counseling, multicultural counseling, research, and assessment.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience counseling, coaching, or advising college students in one-on-one and/or small-group settings, preferably in career development-related areas (including graduate assistantships, internships, or related experiences).
• Experience utilizing technology, social media platforms, and information management systems for service delivery.
• Experience presenting, facilitating, and teaching both small and large groups.
• Broad understanding of the world of work and current industry and workforce trends.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in a fast-paced office environment.
• Experience administering and interpreting career assessment instruments (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, MBTI, CliftonStrengths).
• Three or more years of professional experience in career services, academic advising, counseling, student affairs, workforce development, or a related field preferred.

School/College/Division:

H92 - VP Student Affairs

Primary department:

H9203 - Placement Services

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Academic/Faculty

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

Working conditions:

Office environment

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.