Career Coach

Department

Crown Career Services

About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff, and students focus on identifying solutions to complex social problems through research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. More than 10,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, in business, and at governmental agencies. The Crown Family School is the home of three academic centers: These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Kersten Institute for Urban Education, and the Center for Climate, Health, and Society (CHAS). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.

The Office of the Dean of Students supports students throughout their life cycle at the Crown Family School, in contribution to the school’s mission of working toward a more just and humane society. In our work with students, we believe in a student-first philosophy, an identity-conscious approach, and offer intentional and collaborative educational experiences that foster student success through career development, academic support, student engagement, and student advocacy efforts. Our office oversees: academic advising and support services, career development, leadership development, orientation, graduation, student organizations, and a host of administrative and community engagement opportunities for all students at Crown.

Job Summary

The Career and Leadership Development Office guides students toward meaningful careers and professional opportunities through strategic collaborations, innovative programs, and educational opportunities that foster knowledge, skills, and connections essential for career and leadership success. These include career coaching, career programming, workshops, events, and information sessions; career experiences and initiatives; career resources and support.

Reporting to the Director of Career and Leadership Development, the Career Coach plays a pivotal role in advancing students’ career growth and readiness. The Career Coach provides comprehensive career support to master's students, helping them explore career options, prepare job search materials, and navigate professional transitions. Through individual and group coaching, resource development, and drop-in sessions, the Coach fosters student engagement with career development opportunities in sectors such as clinical practice, social administration, policy, academia, and non-profits. The role also participates in the support of relevant career programming and workshops, and contributes to data tracking and reporting. The coach stays informed of industry trends and alumni outcomes, as an important member of the Career & Leadership team to deliver successful, impactful services for students’ career development and advancement.

The categories of job responsibilities and approximate percentages are as follows:

Career Coaching (60%)
Programming and Support (20%)
Communication and Technology (10%)
Operations and Admin Duties (10%)

Responsibilities

• Serve as a career coach/advisor to graduate students for master’s programs at the Crown Family School.

• Engage in one-on-one coaching/advising that assists students with career exploration, networking, job document preparation, and negotiation.

• Facilitate group career coaching/advising to connect students with career resources and content.

• Conduct drop-in career coaching sessions to provide flash career coaching /advising to students for quick career related questions. 

• Build knowledge, understand industry trends for clinical/direct practice, social administration, government and policy, academia, nonprofits, etc.

• In collaboration with the Director, participate in the development, content creation, and implementation of career programming, workshops, and special events to prepare graduates for a successful job search and planning.

• Assist in career programs, workshops, career conversations, licensure presentations and other professional opportunities appropriate for graduate students.

• Support in maintaining career resources and content that help graduate students navigate their career at Crown Family School and beyond.

• Support small, mid, and large-scale events run by Career and Leadership.

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of recruitment strategies, industry trends, faculty research, and alumni outcomes to better understand drivers of employment success.

• Acts an initial responder for all general Career & Leadership team inquiries.

• Generate content for office communications to students to be included in career digest newsletters, flyers, and email messages to promote career events, opportunities, and resources.

• Support and work with Career and Leadership platforms: Internal Job portal, Career Library Canvas Course page, Alumni Linked Group Page, etc.

• Supervise student staff and/or part-time support staff dedicated to career and leadership development.

• Follow up with students to track career coaching/advising progress and career outcomes via assessments, surveys, report outs.

• Assist in Career data collection, management, and quarterly report writing.

• Provides guidance and training to student career counselor interns.

• Advises and counsels students concerning employment opportunities and careers by acting as a liaison between students and prospective employers.

• Conducts mock interviews, reviews resumes and cover letters, and coordinates other interview related programming in both individual and group settings.

• Develops original content for career related publications and assists with the editing and distribution of Career Services communications materials.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree (Master’s degree).

Experience:

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, higher education, or related field.  

• Understanding of/experience with the wide variety of career paths for social workers. 

• Two or more years of experience in social work field, social sector field or higher education.

• Experience in Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity (I, E, & D) work in higher education and or related setting.  

• Experience in developing career and professional development programs to build community within the student population with an identity- conscious and intersectional critical lens.

• Demonstrated ability and sensitivity in working with diverse populations.

• Awareness of student, career and leadership development theories models.

• Experience working in a higher education research institution.

Preferred Competencies

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as G Suite.  

• Ability to work effectively independently and with a broad range of internal and external constituents including students, employers, alumni, faculty, and staff.  

• Training and/or workshop/webinar development and facilitation skills within a college/university setting.  

• Demonstrated project and event management skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while maintaining strong attention to detail.  

• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to multi-task on frequent and constantly changing demands.

• Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, graduate students, employer partners, staff and various administrative offices. All levels in the University (both internal and external).

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Analytical skills.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to resolve problems independently.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Knowledge of database management software.

• Knowledge, awareness, and skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• References (upon request)

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$50,000.00 - $60,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.