College Success Associate

EPIP; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated College Success Associate to support students in their transition from high school to post-secondary education. This role involves conducting one-on-one meetings, building relationships with local colleges, and ensuring students have access to necessary resources. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and organizational skills, along with a passion for helping underserved students succeed. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of students as they navigate their educational journeys. If you are committed to equity and eager to contribute to a meaningful mission, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years experience working with underserved students.
• Knowledge of college admissions and financial aid processes.

Responsibilities

• Support students transitioning to post-secondary education.
• Connect students to campus resources and oversee alumni engagement.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management

Data Analysis

Knowledge of College Admissions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Bachelor’s degree in School Counseling

Bachelor’s degree in College Advising

Job description

Breakthrough Greater Boston is currently seeking a highly motivated and talented College Success Associate. This person will support students transitioning from high school to post-secondary education opportunities by conducting one-on-one meetings to review academic progress and financial aid stability. The transition from high school to post-secondary education is often challenging for students and families. The goal is to assist students in navigating this transition and helping them reach their career goals. The College Success Associate will work closely with the Senior Director of College Success.

Position Outcomes

A successful College Success Associate will work closely with the Senior Director of College Success to:

1. Oversee the student transition from high school to post-secondary education. This includes but is not limited to 4-year colleges/universities, community college, trade programs, and military.
2. Serve as the point person for college students, in helping them navigate the challenges of post-secondary education.
3. Build connections with local colleges and key administrators to better support and understand the resources available on various campuses.
4. Build strong relationships with students and families to provide a safe environment to conduct one-on-one meetings.
5. Be an active member of the Breakthrough community by being an active participant in Breakthrough events.

Your Contribution

Student Support

1. Connect college students to resources on their campus that will support their academic and financial needs.
2. Meet with students virtually and in person during key times of the year to provide individualized support that aligns with the student’s goals.
3. Oversee alumni engagement and manage events that bring the alumni community together.

Partnerships

1. Build relationships with key administrators at local colleges to be able to seamlessly connect students to campus resources.
2. Participate as a member of the Breakthrough Greater Boston Alumni Committee.
3. Collaborate with the College Access team during key events to build rapport with future caseloads.

Data Management

1. Oversee the collection of data and maintain accurate records on student progress towards graduation.
2. Be able to properly analyze data and report trends within your caseload to identify areas of growth.
3. Maintain detailed notes on meetings with students and families to provide consistent and individualized supports.

Requirements

1. Valid driver’s license with access to transportation to travel between college campuses.
2. Bachelor’s degree in education, school counseling, college advising, or related field.

YOUR BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

As the incoming College Success Associate, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

1. Passion for the mission of BTGB, closing opportunity gaps and training the next generation of urban teachers.
2. One to two years of experience working directly with underserved students, preferably in grades 11 through first year of college, ideally supporting students who will be first generation to college.
3. Knowledgeable about college admissions and financial aid processes.
4. An unwavering commitment to equity, in deepening your personal understanding and in advancing our collective work.
5. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
6. Superior organization and project management skills.
7. Ability to work on multiple projects, adjust quickly to shifting priorities, meet deadlines, exercise good judgment and handle high-pressure situations.
8. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with a variety of audiences.
9. Team player who demonstrates a positive attitude, sense of humor, energy, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to collaboration.
10. Prior experience with Breakthrough model highly desirable; familiarity with partner schools and colleges a plus.
11. Flexibility that allows for periodic work on Saturdays and evenings.
12. Candidates of color and those from low-income backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply as are those with fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Amharic, Somali, Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Tigrinya or Urdu.

If you are interested in learning more about how your passion and experience can help Breakthrough meet its mission and grow its impact, please submit your resume and a thoughtful and targeted cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity. Applications can be submitted to Diane Gomes, Senior Director of College Success at [e-mail]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more about Breakthrough Greater Boston at www.breakthroughgreaterboston.org.