Position Summary
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a fixed-term Specialist-Advisor position in the division of Academic Programs. This 12-month, 100% appointment focuses on career advising, career education, and student success for first- and second-year engineering students. The position may be renewed annually based on continued funding availability, positive annual performance reviews, and mutual agreement between the employee and the College of Engineering.
The Career Advisor serves as a primary resource for students seeking career development guidance, experiential education opportunities, and professional readiness support. Approximately 70% of this position is dedicated to direct student advising and the development and delivery of career programs and events. Additional responsibilities include using technology and data to improve services, collaborating with academic and campus partners, and supporting employer engagement.
The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in student advising or career development, program and event management, and the effective use of technology. This position requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy, student-centered environment. The advisor will work collaboratively with colleagues, faculty, employers, alumni, and campus partners to integrate career development into the engineering student experience.
Regular evening and weekend work is required to support career fairs, networking events, employer activities, and student programming. Regional and national travel may be required for employer visits, recruiting activities, conferences, and professional engagement.
Primary Responsibilities
Student Career Advising and Education
Support the career development and success of engineering students through individualized advising, career education, employer engagement, collaborative programming, and College-wide student initiatives.
- Provide individualized, holistic, and proactive career advising to engineering students, with particular emphasis on first- and second-year students.
- Help students explore engineering career pathways, establish professional goals, and develop personalized plans for building career readiness throughout their undergraduate experience.
- Advise students on internship, cooperative education, and job searches; networking; professional branding; and graduate school exploration and preparation.
- Review and provide feedback on resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, and other professional materials.
- Conduct mock interviews and help students prepare for employer conversations, interviews, and recruiting events.
- Develop and deliver career education presentations, workshops, classroom programs, and resources that address students’ developmental needs.
- Help students identify experiential education opportunities and understand how those experiences connect to their academic and professional goals.
- Connect students with appropriate academic and campus resources when needs extend beyond career advising.
- Maintain accurate advising records and document student engagement and follow-up.
Program and Event Management
Advance student success by developing and delivering programs, resources, and partnerships that strengthen students’ professional skills, career readiness, engagement, and overall engineering experience.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement career fairs, employer information sessions, networking events, workshops, and career readiness programs.
- Manage program and event logistics, communications, registration, budgets, and coordination with participating partners.
- Collaborate with employers, alumni, faculty, academic staff, and campus partners to develop programming relevant to engineering students and industry expectations.
- Develop initiatives that help students build confidence, professional skills, and readiness for internships, cooperative education, and employment.
- Support New Student Orientation, commencement, recruitment, and other College of Engineering events and student initiatives.
- Assess program effectiveness using participation data, student and partner feedback, and outcome measures; use findings to improve future programming.
- Support evening and weekend programs and events as required.
Technology, Data Management, and Assessment
Utilize career services technology, data analysis, and emerging tools to track student engagement, assess outcomes, and improve programs and services.
- Use career services platforms, relational databases, CRM systems, and relevant student information systems to manage advising records, student engagement, employer activity, and career outcomes.
- Maintain accurate and consistent data in accordance with institutional policies and reporting requirements.
- Develop reports and dashboards using Power BI, Tableau, or comparable tools to monitor participation, identify trends, and support program planning and assessment.
- Analyze engagement and outcome data to identify student needs, evaluate services, and recommend improvements.
- Apply emerging technologies, including generative AI and productivity tools, to support career education, student communication, advising workflows, and program assessment.
- Help students understand appropriate and effective uses of AI in career preparation and professional settings.
- Stay current with technology and workforce trends affecting career development and engineering employment.
Collaboration and Campus Engagement
Partner with faculty and academic departments to integrate career development and experiential education into the engineering student experience.
- Work closely with colleagues to coordinate services, develop programs, and respond to student needs.
- Participate in team meetings, planning, assessment, and shared College initiatives.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors and colleagues to coordinate outreach, partnerships, and program activities.
- Contribute to a supportive and inclusive environment where students and colleagues are respected and valued.
- Work independently while contributing to shared priorities and a collaborative team culture.
Employer and Stakeholder Engagement
Support employer engagement initiatives that connect engineering students with internships, cooperative education, employment, and other professional opportunities.
- Develop and maintain relationships with employers, alumni, and industry partners in coordination with the team’s employer engagement efforts.
- Help employers connect with students through career events, educational programming, and recruiting activities.
- Represent the College at employer visits, career-related events, conferences, and professional association meetings.
- Travel as needed to support partnerships, outreach, and professional development.
Other Duties as Assigned
Perform other duties as assigned in support of career development, experiential education, and College student success priorities.
Work Environment and Expectations
- Frequent interaction with students, faculty, academic staff, employers, alumni, and campus partners.
- Regular evening and weekend commitments to support career fairs, networking events, recruiting activities, and student programs.
- Regional and national travel as needed.
- Ability to manage a combination of scheduled advising, student outreach, program responsibilities, and shared team initiatives.
- Commitment to accessible services and a respectful environment that supports students from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Masters -Student affairs administration, counseling, career development, higher education, engineering, or a related field at the time of appointment.
Minimum Requirements
- Master's degree in student affairs administration, counseling, career development, higher education, engineering, or a related field at the time of appointment.
- At least three years of relevant professional experience in career services, student affairs, advising, workforce development, recruiting, human resources, experiential education, or a closely related field.
- Experience providing individualized advising, coaching, career education, or professional development support.
- Experience planning, coordinating, and delivering programs, workshops, events, or educational initiatives.
- Knowledge of career development practices, career readiness, professional skill development, and employment preparation.
- Experience using databases, career services platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, or comparable technology to maintain records and support services.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and technology used for communication, organization, and data management.
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, work independently and collaboratively, and respond effectively to student and program needs.
Desired Qualifications
- Background in career advising or career education within higher education, particularly supporting engineering, technology, or other STEM students.
- Knowledge of internships, cooperative education, experiential learning, or employer recruitment initiatives, including relevant industry experience.
- Demonstrated success in planning and coordinating career fairs, employer engagement activities, networking events, or large-scale student programs.
- Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with employers, alumni, faculty, and campus stakeholders to expand career development opportunities and integrate career education into academic programs.
- Proficiency with career services and CRM platforms such as Handshake, Symplicity, 12Twenty, Salesforce, or comparable systems.
- Ability to use data analysis and reporting tools, including Power BI, Tableau, or comparable applications, to assess engagement, measure outcomes, and improve services.
- Familiarity with generative AI and emerging technologies and their practical applications in career education, student engagement, communication, or program management.
Required Application Materials
- Resume
- Cover letter describing relevant experience in career advising, program and event management, and the use of technology and data to support students and services.
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
Special Instructions
We will begin reviewing applications on November 23, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
Review of Applications Begins On
11/23/2026
Website
https://engineering.msu.edu/careers
Department Statement
Community of Respect and Innovation
At Michigan State University’s College of Engineering, we believe that education and innovation are strongest when built on mutual respect. Guided by MSU’s land-grant mission, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge, expanding access to education, and creating solutions that serve the common good. We are committed to a community where each person is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive—engineering with respect, innovating with purpose, building with trust, and growing through resilience. Learn more about our Community of Respect and Innovation.
About The College of Engineering
For more than 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges. Guided by MSU’s land-grant mission, the College is committed to preparing students for academic, professional, and lifelong success through high-quality education, meaningful experiences, and connections that extend beyond the classroom.
The College’s eight departments offer programs spanning a broad range of engineering and computational disciplines. Through collaboration among faculty, academic staff, employers, alumni, and campus partners, the College provides students with opportunities to explore career pathways, gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and prepare for successful careers. Academic Programs plays an important role by supporting students throughout their undergraduate experience and creating programs and resources that help them thrive at MSU and beyond.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
