About the Department:

University Career Services (UCS) prepares and connects career-ready students for post-graduate success. UCS is a unit within the Division of University Life (UL), it is the centralized career center for George Mason University, serving 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students. UCS is dedicated to helping students identify and pursue opportunities where they can make a positive impact in a complex and quickly evolving world. In partnership with our strong network of employers, alumni, and faculty we are able to break down barriers and successfully connect students with meaningful opportunities in their industries of interest to help them reach their full potential and advance not only themselves socioeconomically, but their families too. Existing services and programs include one-on-one appointments, career exploration, industry specific programs, career fairs, experiential learning opportunities and graduate school preparation.

About the Position:

Provides career advising virtually and in-person for students/alums on all aspects of their career development including goal setting, career planning, and internship/job searching to increase students' career readiness and post-graduation outcomes. Includes career counseling in complex areas that require specialized expertise, such as career assessments, mid-life transitions, balancing work and family, imposter syndrome, international student hiring in the US, etc. Incorporates depth of knowledge in the assigned career fields to educate students/alums about industry-specific recruiting/hiring trends, top employers, application processes, and changing workplace norms.

Responsibilities:

Comprehensive Career Advising

• Provides career advising to students and alums representing a broad range of career concerns including choosing or changing majors, choosing or changing careers and planning for graduate school;
• Interprets and advises on vocational assessment instruments to help students better understand their interests, strengths, and career goals; 
• Assists students in exploring career options and identifying sources of experiential learning to further clarify their career and industries of interest and to develop necessary skills and knowledge;
• Advises students and alums interested in the assigned career fields and educates students on how to research employers, network, and engage in the internship job search process using current technology; 
• Serves as center specialist on assigned industry areas, maintaining current information on recruiting practices, timelines, and industry trends, to maintain best practices and to better support students;
• Educates and prepares students on the specifics of their job and internship search strategy, including document review, networking techniques, interview preparation, and salary negotiation, to better equip students in preparing for employment; 
• Coordinates, organizes, updates, and presents annual outreach workshops and presentations for various campus audiences; 
• Educates students in leveraging social media and other technology tools to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their search strategies; 
• Complies with protocols for student data tracking by utilizing the career management system (e.g., Handshake) to track all interactions with students and alums and track their progress;
• Compiles and understands data to evaluate and address students’ needs in a timely fashion; and
• Creates and delivers engaging workshops, panels, and training for students and alumni to build career knowledge, skills, and confidence in navigating the world of work. 

Supporting Student Career Readiness and Engagement

• Serves as a key liaison to critical stakeholders, to build partnerships, enhance career development opportunities, and ensure alignment with student and institutional goals;
• Collaborates with Director of Career Advising to identify and prioritize essential offices and relationships to advance strategic collaborations that support career development goals;
• Leverages virtual technologies and resources to expand access to career services and effectively support students’ career development;
• Actively collaborates and engages with faculty, academic units and advisors to create campus-wide support for promoting a culture of career-readiness; and
• Close collaboration and consultation with academic stakeholders to identify gaps in career education and provide relevant content. 

Career Development and Employer Insights & Trends Awareness

• Researches, designs, coordinates and presents career programs and contributes content to large-scale events (e.g., Career Weeks) to enhance student learning, build career competencies, and connect students with professional opportunities; 
• Regularly engages with Employer Engagement Consultants and Program Managers to stay up to date on industry and market trends, particularly within assigned industries, by attending at least five (5) employer-related events per semester; 
• Researches and monitors career development trends, employer expectations, relevant technologies, and campus and community resources;
• Uses the career management system to analyze hiring patterns and anticipate future employment opportunities; and
• Develops and cultivates effective cross-campus relationships to gather insights on employer expectations, share industry trends, and increase awareness of UCS services and resources. 

Unit and Division Support/Service 

• Serves as a key team member in the staffing needs for large-scale events (e.g., career fairs, orientation), delivered in person and virtually to ensure smooth operations and a positive experience for students and employers; 
• Contributes to UCS strategic plan development and implementation to align departmental efforts with institutional goals and ensure continuous improvement of career services;
• Actively and effectively serves on division/university committees to ensure UCS perspectives are integrated into institutional planning and decision-making;
• Serves as liaison to university departments as appropriate to foster collaboration, enhance communication, and promote integration of career services across campus; and
• Participates in all-staff meetings, trainings, and symposium for UCS and the Division of University Life, to stay informed, support professional development, and contribute to a cohesive and effective team environment. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field, (e.g., Counseling, Higher Education, Human Resources, etc.) or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience;
• Experience typically obtained in 1 year in a higher education setting counseling/advising students on academic, career, internship, and job search issues, or in human resources/talent acquisition working in college recruiting;
• Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with complex career development needs, including those related to mental health, career transitions, and workforce reentry;
• Experience designing and delivering presentations and training materials in varying settings and audiences that effectively communicates learning outcomes to recipients;
• Knowledge of career development theories and job search strategies;
• Demonstrated proficiency in designing and delivering presentations, virtually and in-person;
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively on a team projects/initiatives; and
• Ability to effectively collaborate with varied internal and external stakeholders to support student success and operational goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Related work experience typically obtained in 3+ years;
• Demonstrated experience building effective relationships and partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., students, alumni, faculty, employers and administrators);
• Experience working with international and contemporary students;
• Knowledge of academic majors/careers in various fields - such as Healthcare, Education, Government, Law & Criminal Justice, Hospitality and the ability to guide exploratory students who are undecided about their major or career direction;
• Knowledge of career management systems (e.g., Handshake);
• Demonstrated proficiency in using career assessments (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Skillscan Drive, Clifton Strengths); and
• Ability to research and quickly develop knowledge of employer recruiting strategies, and job market trends.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Career Advisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: October 24, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  November 7, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes