Career Advisor

Career Advisor

Linfield University | McMinnville, Oregon

Department: University Advancement – Center for Career and Life Design

Reports to: Senior Manager of Career Partnerships

Join Our Team at Linfield University!

Linfield University is seeking a personable, student-focused, and collaborative Career Advisor to join our Center for Career and Life Design within University Advancement. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and recent alumni by helping them explore career possibilities, develop professional skills, and confidently navigate their career journeys.

The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic relationship-builder who enjoys working directly with students, mentoring peer advisors, and connecting members of the Linfield community to valuable career resources and opportunities.

Position Summary

The Career Advisor plays an essential role in supporting the career development and professional success of Linfield University students and recent alumni. As the primary point of contact for the Center for Career and Life Design, the Career Advisor welcomes students, assesses their individual career needs, and connects them with appropriate counseling, programs, and resources.

The position focuses primarily on providing personalized career advising, including resume and cover letter development, career exploration and planning, interview preparation, and job and internship search strategies. The Career Advisor also oversees the student peer career counseling program, providing training, mentorship, and ongoing support to student employees.

Working collaboratively with the Senior Manager of Career Partnerships, the Manager of Experiential Learning Opportunities, and the Senior Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, the Career Advisor helps strengthen connections among students, alumni, parents, employers, and other university partners. This includes supporting career-related events, volunteer engagement, communications, and initiatives that expand professional development and experiential learning opportunities for students.

Key Responsibilities

Career Advising and Student Support (55%)

• Provide individualized career advising to students and recent alumni, including resume and cover letter reviews, career exploration and planning, interview preparation, and job and internship search strategies.

• Serve as the Center's primary intake coordinator and first point of contact, assessing individual needs and connecting students and recent alumni with appropriate staff, programs, and resources.

• Coordinate and provide drop-in advising hours, manage appointment scheduling, and ensure students receive timely and responsive support.

• Refer students to other Center staff for experiential learning opportunities, specialized advising, and additional career development resources, as appropriate.

• Assist with career development workshops, classroom presentations, and other educational programming.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of advising interactions using the Center's career management platforms, including CatConnect/Handshake.

Peer Career Counseling Program (15%)

• Recruit, train, supervise, and schedule student peer career counselors who provide career development support to fellow students.

• Provide ongoing mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities to strengthen peer counselors' skills and effectiveness.

• Monitor the quality and consistency of peer advising sessions, providing constructive feedback and guidance to ensure a positive student experience.

Alumni and Parent Engagement (10%)

• Recruit, onboard, and engage alumni, parents, and other volunteers to support student career development through mentoring, mock interviews, career panels, job shadowing, and related activities.

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement to coordinate career-related outreach with broader university engagement initiatives.

• Help cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and other university supporters to expand career exploration, networking, and professional development opportunities for students.

Career Events and Communications (10%)

• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Career Partnerships and the Manager of Experiential Learning Opportunities to coordinate and support career-related events, including job and internship fairs, networking opportunities, alumni panels, and mock interview programs.

• Partner with Strategic Communications to develop and distribute event invitations, newsletters, and other communications targeting students, alumni, parents, employers, and university partners.

• Provide logistical coordination and on-site support for career events and engagement activities to ensure a welcoming and successful experience for participants.

Data Management and Reporting (5%)

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date student, alumni, volunteer, and engagement records in CatConnect/Handshake and other applicable databases.

• Track and report career advising activity, event participation, volunteer engagement, and other program outcomes.

• Support data collection and reporting efforts to evaluate services, identify opportunities for improvement, and demonstrate the Center's impact on student career development.

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Center for Career and Life Design, University Advancement, and Linfield University's mission and strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, higher education, or a related field.

• One to two years of relevant professional experience in career services, counseling or coaching, student services, alumni relations, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong individual coaching and advising skills, including experience with resume development, interview preparation, and career exploration.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, mentor, and support student employees or peer advisors.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, alumni, parents, employers, faculty, staff, and other constituents.

• Strong written communication, editing, and proofreading skills, with exceptional attention to detail.

• Familiarity with databases, email communication platforms, and other technology used to manage records, track engagement, and communicate with constituents.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative, goal-oriented team.

• Commitment to providing welcoming, inclusive, and student-centered career development services.

• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support university events and activities.

• Possession of a valid driver's license, a satisfactory driving record, and the ability to obtain and maintain authorization to operate Linfield University vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college or university environment, particularly in career services, student affairs, student services, or university advancement.

• Experience supervising student employees, peer advisors, or peer educators.

• Experience using career assessments, mentoring programs, or volunteer management platforms.

• Familiarity with career services technology, including Handshake or similar career management systems.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position is primarily performed in an office environment and involves extended periods of sitting, computer use, verbal communication, and repetitive hand and wrist movements.

The position also requires frequent standing, walking, and navigating stairs, particularly when attending meetings, supporting events, or traveling between campus locations. Occasional travel to meetings, conferences, and university-related activities may be required, along with exposure to outdoor weather conditions when moving between campus buildings.

The ability to occasionally push, pull, carry, or lift materials weighing up to 40 pounds is required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join Linfield University?

At Linfield University, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom and that meaningful career preparation is an essential part of the student experience. The Center for Career and Life Design helps students connect their academic experiences, personal interests, and professional aspirations with opportunities that prepare them for life after graduation.

As a Career Advisor, you'll have the opportunity to work directly with students during important moments in their personal and professional development while collaborating with a supportive team committed to student success. You'll also help strengthen the connections among students, alumni, parents, and employers that make the Linfield community special.

Join us in helping Linfield students discover their potential, build confidence, and take the next steps toward rewarding careers and fulfilling lives.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Linfield University is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, identities, and experiences. We believe that an environment of mutual respect, academic freedom, and meaningful engagement enriches the educational experience and strengthens our university community.

We encourage applications from individuals whose experiences, perspectives, and professional contributions will support our commitment to student success and an inclusive campus environment.