A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Department Summary:

The University Career Center inspires and supports students to transition confidently beyond the University of Michigan by creating a dynamic space to gain clarity through their process of self-discovery. The University Career Center team of 21 staff serves about 17,000 unique clients annually, through appointments, workshops, events, career technology and its resources.

Position Summary:

With a focus on international graduate students, contribute in a comprehensive, service oriented career services office with duties related to experiential learning, employer relations and a variety of career-related, and student development needs. Scope of role includes an engaging mix of individual work with graduate students (self-discovery and reflection, understanding the world of work, networking, and job/internship search issues) as well as developing and leading experiential learning opportunities and stewarding relationships with both external employers/partners and internal university partners (including close collaboration with the International Center, and Rackham Graduate School colleagues).  Share knowledge of current employment trends in a range of fields/sectors, and of key skills graduate students will need to demonstrate to be competitive with employers.  Utilize knowledge of theory, current research, and best practices in student development, career development, multicultural counseling, leadership, evaluation/assessment tools, social media tools and job search processes.
 

Position Responsibilities (primary responsibilities and duties expected in this position totaling 100% allocation):

Leadership 30%

• Provide leadership for the career and experiential learning needs of international graduate students  in a large, comprehensive, fast-paced career services office.
• Exercise autonomy in managing the assigned area of responsibility within the office.
• Recommend and implement policies, procedures, and programs that allow students to develop self-knowledge by translating their educational experiences into career choices that are congruent with their skills/competencies, interests, values, and the role they wish to play as contributing members of a diverse society.  Help students develop lifelong learning skills to prepare them to manage their careers.
• Liaise with Rackham Graduate School, faculty, the International Center, and the postdoc office to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.
• Comply with and educate others on career-related legal, regulatory policy, and ethical guidelines, including
• Federal regulations and laws (e.g., affirmative action and EEOC standards, FERPA), hiring practices, and safety programs. Maintain confidentiality in work with students and student records.
• Manage effective and efficient use of program or service resources, including proposing realistic budget projections and anticipated expenses.
• Manage and demonstrate expertise in multiple career tracks, which will involve some employer relations and development.  
• Establish strong liaison relationships and work collaboratively with Rackham Graduate School, university departments, academic units, student organizations, employers, and external constituents to promote awareness and encourage use of career services.
• Lead and serve on committees and task forces within the unit and represent the unit on Division-level committees.
• Active involvement in the profession at the local, regional, and/or national level. Includes committee work, conference presentations, and contributing to the literature.
• Forward the mission and goals of the unit and division within an established set of organizational values.
• Promote the highest standards of the profession in accordance with the principles, ethics, and standards of ACPA, NASPA, NACE, and CAS, and establish good practice in Student Affairs.

UCC Employer Relations Team 30%

Employer/Alumni Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with international and domestic employers, research institutes, think tanks, and alumni who can provide doctoral, graduate-level experiential opportunities.
• Develop strategies with employers to better to align research/analytical skills with organizational needs.
• Track market trends on PhD and Mister's and/or international student hiring, career pathways, and experiential program models (versus traditional undergrad recruiting).
• Developing infrastructure for supporting international/and graduate students via employer connections, experiential education, and mentorship through both existing and new (to be created) initiatives.  

Experiential Learning    

• Design and expand experiential opportunities tailored to graduate students (e.g., research internships, policy fellowships, industry immersion programs).
• Lead development of new doctoral-level experiential learning initiatives (e.g., industry challenges for PhD researchers, cross-sector immersion programs, short-term applied research projects). Grow immersion opportunities relevant to Master's students in tandem with these efforts.
• Build cross-campus partnerships with Rackham, academic departments, and research centers to integrate experiential learning into doctoral and master's training.
• Assess outcomes and iterate programming to meet evolving doctoral and master's (and international graduate) student career needs.

Career Coaching 30%

• Provide tailored coaching to graduate students on leveraging academic research, teaching, and leadership experiences into experiential opportunities.
• Support graduate students in identifying transferable skills for diverse career paths.
• Design programming on how to prepare for and maximize internships, fellowships, and project-based learning experiences.

Supervision 5%

• Supervise a graduate intern or staff member who helps coordinate PhD experiential learning programming.

Data Management/Assessment/Reporting 5%

• Systematically use data to manage by fact (i.e., includes data gathering, best practice benchmarking, and program assessment). Keep accurate records and statistical information on clients using the University Career Center platform.
• Provide written reports and other communications to educate the university, Rackham, and other members of the community on current issues and national trends in employment, specifically, as they relate to graduate students.
• Ensure compliance and impact of the (NEW) Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Act (October 2023) on graduate student outcomes and partner across UCC and Rackham to ensure appropriate measurement.
   

• MA in student affairs, counseling or related field with an understanding of theories that assist in supporting students' career development.
• 2 years of experience in program design.
• 2 years of experience establishing priorities and exercising sound decision-making on relevant issues
• 1-2 years of experience with coaching advanced degree students
• Experience partnering with student organizations to meet mutual goals
• Demonstrated success in relationship building with external partners
• Experience bridging collaborations between Student Life, faculty, and academic services
• Experience with heterogeneous student populations, including but not limited to: first-generation students, veterans, students with disabilities, and international students
   

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. and/or an understanding of the process of attaining a terminal degree.
• Experience managing a program or service within an office with evidence of strong customer service, team orientation, intentional planning, and continuous improvement.
• 1-2 years of experience organizing larger-scale events with multiple components
• Experience with administration and interpretation of career assessment tools/tests (certification preferred).
• Experience in a large, selective institution.
   

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):

• Demonstrated knowledge of identity theories.
• Demonstrated skill and 2 years of professional-level experience coaching/advising and group programming.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and efficiently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills including verbal, writing and listening skills and the ability to relate well to others.
• The ability to contribute to, and learn from, a diverse environment of colleagues and students representing diverse populations
• The ability to effectively integrate technology into service delivery.
• Ability to set expectations and achieve results, autonomously.
• Demonstrated focus on building a culture that supports understanding and enabling equal access for all.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

This role will be responsible for administering and tracking the work hours of graduate student employees, as well as authorizing and reconciling expenses related to immersions or other events.

Working Conditions:

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid schedule (on campus and remote) and may require occasional evening and weekend work, occasional travel, and the ability to work with a wide range of student concerns.

Physical Requirements:

This position may be required to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while staffing conferences or larger events.

Direct Reports:

This role will supervise student workers such as GSSAs and/or graduate student interns.

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

#studentlife
 

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.