Career Coach-Accelerate U

Who We Are:

National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.

What We Offer:

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Benefits.

Job Summary:

In July 2021, NLU launched a new initiative called Accelerate U focused on workforce training for local, upwardly-mobile jobs and careers. A path-breaking "job first higher education" model, Accelerate U works closely with employer partners to build affordable (Pell-eligible) academic and training pathways that 1) bridge to an in-demand job in about six months, 2) lead to an industry-recognized credential, 3) focus on technical and "durable"/career readiness skill development, 4) include coaching, wraparound supports, and a meaningful cohort-based experience, and 5) allow participants to earn up to 30 college credits that seamlessly "stack" into a bachelor's degree.

The Career Coach will provide essential coaching and mentoring directly to Accelerate U learners as they complete their training courses and through their externship as they prepare for work. The Career Coach will work directly with learners, serving as a "navigator" to help them build a professional peer network of support, as well as apply, interview for, and ultimately secure a job. This individual will support learners across Accelerate U training tracks as learners prepare to enter careers in healthcare, behavioral health, or technology. They will serve as a guide to the learner experience for the rest of the Accelerate U team and will play an essential role in creating exceptional, cohort-based learning experiences for participants. The Career Coach will report to the Director of Career Coaching. NLU seeks applicants that reflect the diversity of its student body and the city of Chicago.

Coach 3-6 cohorts of learners a year through the training, field-based externship, and job placement process of the Accelerate U program.
• Facilitate and teach the cohort coaching sessions, using the Accelerate U/coaching curriculum once a week to each cohort.
• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly individual check-ins with each learner to provide individualized support as they complete the program.
• Problem-solve with learners to create a personalized Accelerate U success plan and identify appropriate university and community resources and supports to address challenges and ensure completion of the training experience.
• Serve as the first point of outreach for learner concerns using a variety of advising and interviewing methodologies to support program participants as they overcome barriers.
• Work closely with Accelerate U instructors to identify areas for additional support from program kick-off through full-time hire in new job.
• Build community virtually (and in-person where possible) among learners to motivate and build networks.
• Support learners in completing all necessary enrollment requirements.
• Track learner progress towards a job, completing externship requirements, certification completion, job applications, and other key metrics indicating program completion.
• Communicate regularly with Accelerate U staff and instructors regarding learner progress throughout the program.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
• Three (3+) years professional experience in Education, Social Work, Career Coaching, or Counseling
• Proven track record of success coaching and mentoring others, especially in supporting individuals across diverse backgrounds to succeed in careers.
• Ability to build trusting connections and hold learners to high expectations, with empathy.
• Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills, including active listening, compassion, and clear communication.
• Proven experience using relevant technology and leading group sessions online with Zoom, Slack, Google Suite, and other learning management systems.
• Ability to perform well under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude and building effective relationships with multiple stakeholders. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Building and Sustaining Key Relationships: Recognizes the need to build and sustain relationships beyond the classroom. Reaches out effectively to individuals and groups who also have a stake in the outcome of the educational experience (e.g., parents, internal and external colleagues), gaining their trust and support. Sustains key relationships by treating others as partners, staying connected, soliciting suggestions, listening attentively and demonstrating appreciation for multiple perspectives and various points of view.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows genuine sensitivity to the needs, feelings and capabilities of other people. Deals with others in a pleasant manner. Treats others with respect and consideration.
• Fostering and Maintaining a Respectful Environment: Communicates a clear expectation that everyone (including each student) is responsible for maintaining a respectful school environment. Consistently advocates and models respect for each person (or group). Takes timely and appropriate action to address any situation in which someone's words or behavior fails to demonstrate respect for others, leaving no doubt about personal commitment to this principle.
• Knowing Students as Individuals: Spends time learning about each student, assessing current interest level for learning in general and for the subject matter in particular. Notices which learning activities tend to engage each individual the most. Assesses each student's general learning capabilities, performance level and apparent level of confidence. Looks for evidence of unmet special needs and other obstacles to learning. Learns about each student's life outside the classroom (e.g., personal interests, cultural background, level of family support, potential sources of distraction, etc.).
• Flexibility: Adjusts quickly and effectively to changing conditions and demands. Discusses change as a necessary and inevitable aspect of organizational life as well as an opportunity to learn new things. Has a similar view and approach to potentially stressful situations. Invests personal energy toward accepting and adapting to change that others use toward resisting or resenting it.
• Handling Difficult Issues: Handles sensitive or difficult issues with grace and confidence. Remains clear-headed and focused and inspires others to do the same. Remains objective in the face of strong emotions. Can acknowledge strong emotions without being unduly influenced by their intensity.
• Listening Skills: Tends to listens more than talk. Leaves others with the impression that their thoughts, opinions, feelings and needs are important. Helps others understand their feelings and their needs.
• Building Trust: Builds and maintains trust with members of his or her team, as well as with stakeholders outside the team. Accomplishes this through open and honest communications and by following through on all commitments made. Has earned the respect of team members and other stakeholders.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.