Career Advisor - Office of Academic Services - Penn Engineering

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Job Description Summary

The Career Advisor supports Penn Engineering's growing on-campus master's community by delivering high-quality, specialized career coaching and supports building a scalable career development program. Working closely with the Associate Director and a small team, this role supports daily service delivery, contributes to programming and employer engagement, and develops relevant and innovative resources that extend career learning beyond 1:1 appointments.

Roles and Responsibilities

1) Career Coaching and Student Support

• Provide 1:1 and small-group coaching for on-campus master's students, with a focus on career exploration, job/internship search strategy, networking, resume/LinkedIn development, technical and behavioral interviewing, offer negotiation, and professional communication.
• Support students navigating complex professional pathways, including international students, career switchers, and those targeting specialized technical roles.

2) Industry Cluster Programming and Career Education

• Co-design and deliver career programming aligned to an assigned industry cluster, in partnership with degree programs and cohort communities.

3) Employer and Alumni Engagement

• Support outreach and relationship management with employers, alumni, and professional associations connected to specific industries.

4) Evergreen Resources and Scalable Content

• Develop student-facing resources (digital guides, templates, short modules, FAQs) that enhance operational efficiencies and expand students' access to career learning.

5) Operations, Data, and Continuous Improvement

• Support day-to-day service delivery by maintaining accurate records, using shared platforms consistently (e.g., Handshake CRM, event tools, Asana).

6) Collaboration and Team Contribution (10%)

• Partner effectively with colleagues across OAS, Penn Engineering Office of Academic Innovation (OAI), academic program teams, and central Career Services.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2-3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to coach or advise students/clients on career development topics.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, technology-rich environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of international student hiring pathways (OPT/CPT, H-1B sponsorship landscape).

Preferred

• Experience supporting STEM or engineering students, graduate/professional students, and/or international populations.
• Familiarity with engineering and technology career pathways and recruiting cycles.