Career Coach

Job Details

Department: Shocker Career Accelerator

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range begins at $49,000/yr adjusted with qualifications

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8a - 5p; occasional evenings and weekends

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

Do you find energy in empowering others and helping them navigate life’s most pivotal decisions? At the Shocker Career Accelerator, we are looking for a proactive problem-solver and student-centered career coach. We need a team player who thrives on the success of others and is motivated by the challenge of helping students achieve their goals.

As a Career Coach, you join a collaborative team focused on one mission: ensuring every Shocker develops the skills to navigate their career journey with confidence. You won’t just provide answers; you will empower students to build their own path by:

• Guiding students from "undecided" to "confident" through individualized, relationship-based coaching.
• Helping students from all walks of life navigate the unique hurdles between enrollment and their first professional career.
• Connecting students to applied learning experiences and post-graduation opportunities.

If you are a forward-thinking leader who is passionate about helping others realize their potential, this is your opportunity. Join us in a high-energy environment where your work directly impacts student lives and the broader community. Be the spark that helps the next generation of Shockers achieve their dreams.

Job Summary

Coordinates and delivers career development programming, resource materials, and/or career coaching to students, alumni and/or community members. Provides professional development opportunities, and maintains participant relationships to enable successful career planning.

Essential Functions

Educates or advises program participants individually, or in groups through various mediums to enable career exploration and professional development. Administers and interprets career inventory assessments, materials development, and career decisions. Provides expertise in one (1) or more areas including, but not limited to, resume development and interviewing skills, career readiness and decision-making, career coach referrals, and/or job search techniques. Responds to questions and provides information regarding student services, policies, procedures, and/or employment preparation. Presents professional development workshops as well as coordinates and participates in career outreach such as job fairs. May lead staff as assigned. Provides input to leadership regarding the development of coaching and/or co-curricular programming across the University.

Job Duties

• Provide student-centered, proactive coaching to assist students from all walks of life in navigating career exploration, professional branding (resumes, LinkedIn, interviewing), and job search strategies.
• Empower students by helping them identify and secure high-impact applied learning experiences and post-graduation opportunities.
• Leverage career management systems to track student progress, coordinate appointments, and provide asynchronous feedback to maximize service efficiency.
• Serve as a dedicated liaison to assigned academic colleges, building strategic partnerships with faculty and staff to integrate career-readiness resources into the curriculum.
• Participate in WSU recruitment activities showcasing WSU’s strengths in applied learning and the career success of Shockers to prospective students and families.
• Proactively research and stay current on evolving labor market trends, emerging technologies, and industry-specific competencies to provide students with relevant, forward-looking career advice.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• One (1) year of experience in related field

Required License/Certifications/Training

Credentials in one (1) of the following: any career-related assessment (Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Clifton Strengths, etc.) or from a career-related professional association (NCDA, NRWA, NACE, etc.), or complete one (1) career assessment certification or credential from a career-related professional association within two (2) years of hire date.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Will occasionally speak in front of groups.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with a team.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of people including students, faculty and staff.
• High level of service orientation with outstanding customer service skills and attitude; responsive to diverse student needs.
• Organize information/tasks in an efficient manner, meet established deadlines, and be adaptable in a changing work environment.
• Ability to research industry best practices and stay updated on current labor market trends.