Advising Specialist, Advising & Career Services

McLennan Community College; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

McLennan Community College is seeking an Advising Specialist to support student success by providing academic advising, educational planning, and career guidance. The role involves helping students navigate academic pathways, connect with campus resources, and create informed plans for degree completion and transfer opportunities.

The position emphasizes student engagement, retention, and completion through proactive support and student-centered services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• More than two years of work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising, educational planning, and career guidance to help students achieve educational and professional goals.
• Assist students in navigating academic pathways and connecting with campus resources.
• Develop informed plans for degree completion and transfer opportunities.
• Promote student engagement, retention, and completion through proactive support and student-centered services.

Skills

Student development theories

Academic advising principles

Career coaching strategies

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Active listening

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree

2+ years experience

Tools

Student information systems

Educational technologies

Job description

Communication: We will be open and courageous in our communication with students and with one another. We will communicate decisions and the reasons for them.

Excellence: We will strive for excellence in all that we do. We will actively plan for the future, seeking new and innovative ways to accomplish our mission.

Inclusiveness: We will seek to appreciate and understand our students and each other, actively seeking different viewpoints. We will work to create a welcoming environment where our diverse community of students and employees learn, teach, and work together.

Integrity: We will work with the highest level of integrity, taking responsibility for all of our actions. We will tell the truth and seek to be fair in our decision-making and actions.

People: We will be honest, humble, respectful, and gracious to our students and to each other. We best serve our students, colleagues, and community when we work as a team.

This position supports student success by providing academic advising, educational planning, and career guidance to help students achieve their educational and professional goals. The Advising Specialist assists students in navigating academic pathways, connecting with campus resources, and developing informed plans for degree completion and transfer opportunities. The position promotes student engagement, retention, and completion through proactive support and student-centered services. This position receives general direction from the Lead Advising Specialist and exercises no supervision.

NOTE: This is a security sensitive position and an appropriate background investigation will be made on applicants being strongly considered for this position.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The cover letter should address how the following knowledge, skills, and abilities were acquired:

Knowledge of:

• 1. Student development theories and evidence-based practices that support student engagement, retention, and success;
• 2. Academic advising principles and career coaching strategies that promote informed educational and career decision-making;
• 3. Higher education systems, degree requirements, and transfer pathways within community college and university settings;
• 4. College admissions standards, program requirements, and degree completion processes;
• 5. Institutional policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations related to student services;
• 6. Standardized testing practices, placement processes, and assessment interpretation;
• 7. Microsoft Office applications, student information systems, and other educational technologies used to support advising and student engagement services;

Skills in:

• 8. Planning, coordinating, and implementing student engagement and career development initiatives, including workshops, presentations, outreach events, and individualized student support;
• 9. Building supportive, professional, and inclusive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners;
• 10. Communicating effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing;
• 11. Practicing active listening and responding thoughtfully to diverse student perspectives and needs;
• 12. Collaboratively analyzing situations and resolving problems in a fair, student-centered manner;
• 13. Prioritizing responsibilities, managing multiple projects, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• 14. Demonstrating professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, and ethical decision-making in all interactions;

Ability to:

• 15.Advise and guide students in course selection, academic planning, and goal setting aligned with educational and career objectives;
• 16. Interpret academic records, placement scores, and standardized assessment results to support student success planning;
• 17. Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive student information;
• 18. Develop collaborative and supportive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries;
• 19.Assess individual student needs and connect students with appropriate campus resources, services, and support systems;
• 20.Provide caring, high-quality service by creating welcoming experiences, communicating clearly and proactively, addressing needs with professionalism and empathy, and ensuring individuals are thoughtfully connected to appropriate resources.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Sedentary-Desk work; occasional field trips e.g. for college or program activities. Minimal Hazard/Exposure-Standard office setting. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college oruniversity.

Experience: More than two years of work experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Work experience in higher education, student services, academic support, career coaching, or closely related field.

NOTE: Finalists may be asked to participate in an in-basket exercise. MCC uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. For more information visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• Online Employment Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter (See Selection Criteria)
• Copies of College Transcripts

MCC provides equal educational opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate against any individual regardless of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or other legally protected category in its educational programs, activities, or employment. https://www.mclennan.edu/employees/procedure-manual/docs/F/FA-II.pdf