Career Coach

State of South Carolina; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation and sick leave

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC seeks a Career Coach within the CDI to support students and alumni through coaching, resources, and career planning.

You will conduct regular coaching sessions, assist with resumes, search strategies, interviews, and use Handshake to track progress. The role partners with faculty and staff to develop workshops and promote the Alumni Mentoring Program.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Business, or related.
• Experience with career assessments and counseling/coaching techniques.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to relate to students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers and families.
• Ability to use technology and career services systems (e.g., Handshake).
• Commitment to working with diverse populations.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Handshake.
• Experience applying AI ethically in student coaching.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular career coaching appointments and drop-ins for students and alumni.
• Assess student needs and provide resources, including resume assistance, job search, interviews, and career planning.
• Guide students through assessments and develop individualized career solutions.
• Utilize Handshake/Big Interview to support development and document progress.
• Promote the Alumni Mentoring Program through coaching interactions.
• Conduct career readiness presentations and workshops.
• Collaborate with CDI colleagues to tailor content for different audiences.
• Coordinate and facilitate workshops on resume prep, interviewing, networking and professionalism.
• Oversee Career Closet operations and organize Pop-up events.
• Plan on-campus career fairs and related events; support events and employer interactions.
• Travel and work flexible hours as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Career counseling

AI ethics coaching

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Handshake

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Career Coaching

• Provides a regular schedule of individual career coaching appointments and drop-ins for students and alumni. May at times provide group career coaching sessions.
• Evaluates student needs and provides appropriate resources and support, which might include career assessments and interpretation, resume assistance, job/internship search and interview preparation, and/or assistance developing a career plan.
• Guides students through career assessments and offers understanding and resources to help them research and develop individualized solutions as they make life-changing decisions.
• Utilizes online career management systems (e.g., Handshake, Big Interview), to support student career development and helps students navigate complex challenges in their career development efforts. Documents appropriate notes and records to track students’ engagement and progress.
• Promotes Winthrop’s Alumni Mentoring Program through coaching interactions.

Career Readiness Presentations and Workshops

• Conducts career presentations and workshops in the classroom by faculty invitation, at campus conferences and events, and to student organizations.
• Develops, coordinates, and facilitates training and skill development workshops, to include resume preparation, job/internship search strategies, interviewing, experiential learning preparation, networking, LinkedIn, and professionalism.
• Collaborates with other CDI colleagues on customizing and tailoring content, activities, and materials for different student audiences and desired learning outcomes. Co-plan and co-present certain programs when appropriate, with CDI colleagues as well as other campus colleagues.
• Utilizes a variety of delivery methods: workshops, lectures, presentations, meetings and e-learning.
• Represents the CDI at other Winthrop events, such as Admissions events, Study Abroad Fair, Orientation, etc. typically via tabling but can include presentations to students, families and guests.

Paraprofessional Engagement:

• Hires, trains and supervises Peer Career Advisor(s) who meet(s) with students 1:1 for front‑line assistance with resumes, CDI services and resources, and Career Closet support.
• Manage the recruitment, hiring, basic training, and timesheet approvals of students for the Literacy Intervention Team (FWS program). Ensure Winthrop has at least one student in this role to maintain the entire FWS program.
• Create or foster relationships with schools and organizations that serve as work sites for the LIT tutors.
• Collaborate with Administrative Specialist to implement new student employee training; assign work to student employees and co‑evaluate their performance.

Career Events:

• Contributes to the team activities during the coordination of on‑campus career fairs and related events, including networking events, industry meet‑ups, etiquette dinners and receptions, and so forth. Activities include set up and breakdown activities, greeting employers, managing student and alumni check‑in stations, collecting student and employer surveys, and assists where needed when other CDI team members are unavailable.
• Supports the Associate Director and Director with the implementation of tailored career and competency‑building events, such as resume and mock interview days, career panels, and networking after‑hours.
• Communicates with campus departments, employers, alumni, and students and works with the career center team to increase student awareness and engagement in events.

Career Closet Management

• Oversees the Career Closet to track and maintain inventory, responsibly allocates donated funds under the fiscal oversight of the Director, and manages donations of used attire.
• Promotes the Closet to ensure student awareness of and access to professional attire options, including developing flyers and other marketing materials.
• Cross‑trains staff on operating procedures for assisting students, accepting donations, etc. Documents standard operating procedures in a Career Closet manual and updates documentation when changes are implemented.
• Serves as point person for planning Pop‑up Career Closet events, at least one campus‑wide per semester. Based on bandwidth and collaborative opportunities, organize other pop‑ups or related programs (e.g., Graduate Students, Senior Week, etc.). Collaborate with the entire CDI team and delegate activities and roles.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• Master’s degree, preferably in Counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development/Communication or related.
• Working knowledge of career assessments and counseling/coaching techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships that build rapport with all constituents (students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, parents and families).
• Ability to use community knowledge, research, benchmarking, and networking skills to grow and connect students with experiential opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, train, facilitate and conduct presentations.
• Ability to use technology, including career services systems and social media platforms, to increase efficiencies/enhance effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize AI ethically and effectively, and to coach students on the same skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, and Handshake or similar career services management system.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to work successfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in student counseling, career coaching, career services, higher education or placement services.
• Training, experience, and certification career assessments (e.g., Myers‑Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory) and computer‑guided career assessments.

Additional Comments

Travel/Overtime Requirements: Ability to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

License/Certification: Certification in Myers‑Briggs (MBTI) and/or Strong Interest Inventory preferred.

Telecommuting: Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12‑month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.

Benefits For State Employees

• The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work‑life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

• State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

• State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time‑limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.