Assistant Director of Career Development/Arts, Creativity and Media

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page.

Colgate University, a premier liberal arts university of approximately 3,100 students, seeks to hire an energetic, student-focused career advisers. Assistant directors of career development coaches students on general career development topics as well as in an industry cluster. To understand students' needs and be well-versed in the breadth of potential opportunities, this adviser will engage with faculty, alumni, employers, and members of professional associations to build a community of support. This position will report to the associate director of career development. This is a distinctive opportunity for a student-focused professional with a strategic approach to career development.

It is an exciting time for the University as Colgate enters its third century. President Brian W. Casey is leading the campus through a comprehensive Third-Century Plan to raise the institution's profile as a distinctive and strong undergraduate liberal arts institution to even-higher levels of achievement. Under the leadership of Vice President and Dean of the College Paul J. McLoughlin II, there has been tremendous growth. The energy on campus is palpable as four Residential Commons living-learning communities have been developed over the last five years, and long-term goals have been established for further developing the residential college system through the creation of an upper-level residential system, career services, and integrated wellness.

Career Services benefits from strong institutional support, reinforced by a clear commitment from Dr. McLoughlin. Under Colgate's Third Century Plan, Career Services is committed to achieving best-in-class preparation to launch liberal arts graduates into a global, ever-changing workplace. By carefully harnessing Colgate's assets and providing extraordinary opportunities, the Career Services team ensures that all students build core, practical skills and gain competitive experiences that prepare them for a lifetime of success. The career adviser would join this highly-motivated team of 15 professionals at a particularly exciting moment. In fall 2021, the team launched Colgate's four-year career development plan. This plan knits together many of the existing and successful initiatives for which the office is known, in addition to providing further opportunities for self-assessment, exploration, and networking in a developmental pathway.

Learn more about Colgate University and the Dean of the College Division by reviewing A Candidate's Guide to Colgate. In 2021, and again in 2022, the Dean of the College Division was acknowledged by Diverse Issues in Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs.

Responsible for conducting effective advising of students and young alumni (in the first five years post-graduation) that results in the student's ability to articulate the value of a rigorous Colgate liberal arts education in relation to opportunities of interest. This career adviser will possess positive excitement about helping students explore a variety of professional options beyond what they may have previously experienced. Candidates should have a passion for engaging with a diverse student body, a strong team orientation, and a deep commitment to student development.

Responsibilities include:

Establishing connections with an assigned campus population or cohorts with unique needs (i.e. first-generation students, international students, etc.) to build support structures for students.

Demonstrated ability to understand career development models and concepts sufficient to effectively execute goals for the career development team, aligned to Career Services goals.

Demonstrated ability to apply career counseling and advising skills sufficient to applying career development theory, resources, tools in day-to-day practice.
Demonstrated ability to understand students' and alumni's interests, requirements, and goals and build ongoing trusting relationships sufficient to guide clients through the transition from college to the workplace, and in transitional steps 0-5 years post-graduation.
Expertise in coaching and evaluating clients' execution of job search skills: e.g.: career research, resume and cover letter writing, networking, interviewing, personal statement writing, job search strategies.

Demonstrated understanding of the world of work. Demonstrated ability to differentiate between industries and occupations, premier organizations and entry points sufficient to provide students with accurate information.
Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of graduate and professional school admission standards and process. Demonstrated mastery of graduate education within industry domain sufficient to effectively advise students on preparation and strategies for success.
Ability to quickly learn and apply comprehensive knowledge of hiring practices of targeted industries and/or professional school admissions process sufficient to effectively guide pre-professional students.

Demonstrated ability to create, deliver, and facilitate workshops and presentations that achieve strategic learning outcomes.

Demonstrated ability to set goals, develop programs, and to implement strategic initiatives and programs.

Demonstrated ability to understand and follow procedures and established operational processes.

Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and openness to feedback.

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to diverse audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university's commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university's sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws or Executive Orders.

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS

The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.