Peer Career Advisor

Position Title: Peer Career Advisor 

Salary: $16/hour

Overall Program Mission 

RPI’s Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) is seeking energetic, positive, proactive students to fill up to six Peer Career Advisor (PCA) positions. The Peer Career Advisors program is a new initiative in the CCPD focused on assisting RPI students with career-related topics such as resumes and cover letters, LinkedIn, and internship and job search basics. PCAs will also participate in individual peer advising, campus outreach, event programming, and marketing. Candidates must have a proven record of professionalism and will receive regular training on career planning.

·       Critique student application materials, providing positive, honest, and actionable feedback

·       Assist with social media and outreach efforts, including creating digital content, monitoring social websites, and tabling across campus

·       Schedule and hold consistent office hours to meet with students on career-related topics

·       Meet periodically with CCPD staff to discuss program feedback and progress

·       Assist career counselors in the creation and implementation of career workshops and presentations to classes and student organizations on an as needed basis

·       Inform students and campus community about employer recruiting activities, such as information sessions, interviewing opportunities, and online job postings

·       Take initiative in learning to utilize all resources on CCPD webpage, including Handshake, CareerShift, Wizco, and more

·       Promote CCPD services throughout campus by participating in RPI events such as career fairs, activities and resource fairs, orientation, and other campus events

·       Provide ideas and feedback to the Associate Director of Career Development in regard to student needs and requests for services, programs, workshops, etc.

·       Maintain accurate daily records and monthly reports of all student appointments/contacts and services

·       Adhere to FERPA and student privacy standards

·       Provide support for additional programs and services as they develop

Time Commitment 

The overall commitment would be roughly 6 hours per week over the academic year 2023-2024. Schedules are flexible but we prefer at least 12 weeks each semester with time off given for finals, finals prep week, mid-terms, and a floating week per the student’s schedule/holidays. Final schedule arrangements need advanced approval. Candidates must be available for in person and virtual trainings and orientations.

Qualifications 

·       Students do not need direct career advising experience; we are looking for a values and personality fit, including a willingness to be trained and receive feedback on career planning and support

·       Must be a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at the start of 2023-2024 academic year

·       Must be available for occasional evening or weekend hours, scheduled in advance

·       Students must be in good academic and not on disciplinary probation

·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

·       Willingness to join warm and fun office presence to assist in the creation of a collaborative and positive working environment

·       Knowledge of RPI student organizations and campus resources

·       Ability to work both in a team and independently 

·       Adaptable and flexible 

·       Interest in career theory and overall openness to learning new techniques and strategies from staff on positive student interactions

·       Gain experience in a professional office setting while developing personal career preparation skills

·       Improve writing, editing, and public speaking/presentation skills

·       Learn to network and collaborate with staff, faculty, and other professionals including employer partners

·       Build communication and interpersonal skills and develop community

·       Expand and improve leadership skills, teamwork abilities, and overall confidence

·       Gain a professional reference to use in future career endeavors

·       Opportunity to develop relationships with alumni and employers that could generate future opportunities

To Apply 

Please submit: 

·       Resume 

·       Letter of Interest addressing: 

o  The reason you are interested in the program 

o  Your experience or skills working one-on-one with students

o  What you hope to learn in this role and how it applies to your personal and professional interests

o  Estimated availability for Fall 2023 semester (include a potential availability work schedule, i.e. what days and times you are free outside of class and other obligations for AY 2023-2024). Do you currently hold any other work positions, and if so, how many hours per week? Are you part of any academic, extracurricular commitments, student organizations, Greek Life, internships, leadership positions for the 2023-2024 AY? This can all be included at the bottom of your Letter of Interest.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit applications by: March 13th, 2023. Applicants will interview in late March and be notified of a decision by April 15th.

RPI is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.