Overview
The Centre for Career Development (CCD) is hiring for supportive student-facing roles that focus on one-to-one conversations with Waterloo students who are applying for work and/or seeking further education. We invite applications from undergraduate and graduate students in all University of Waterloo programs. The two roles on the team are as follows further education support career leader and employment support career leader. Role assignment (i.e. further education support or employment support) cannot be guaranteed. It is important to ensure that you are open to working either role if you apply, however you can note down a preference if you would like.
Qualifications
Essential skills
- Passion for supporting students in navigating employment/further education in post-secondary
- Empathetic, active listening skills
- Knowledge and interest in mental health and equity
- Ability to engage in non-judgemental, supportive conversations, centering the student’s agency and point-of-view
- Knowledge and understanding of how identity can shape someone’s experience
- Enthusiasm for continuous learning and growth
- Comfort with making decisions based on nuanced and sometimes ambiguous information
- Basic research and information gathering skills
- Registered University of Waterloo student status (full or part time)
Helpful skills
- Collaborating by drawing on others’ strengths and sharing yours
- Basic mentoring skills
- One-on-one advising, coaching, tutoring or peer support experience
Responsibilities
Employment Support
This role supports people who are applying for work or volunteer positions, including co-op positions. Many students applying for work have questions about preparing for a job or volunteer placement. In this role, Career Leaders will be attending to students’ questions and concerns about looking for work, as well as the application and interview processes.
Further Education Support
This role supports people who are considering educational pathways beyond an initial undergraduate degree. Many students and alumni applying to programs like Medicine, Law, Teaching, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Public Health, Social Work, etc., have questions about preparing for their further study. In this role, Career Leaders will be attending to students’ questions and concerns about planning for further education, as well as supporting with the application and interview processes.
There are two main components of these roles:
Student Support
- Provide support and guidance to students via flexible drop-in format (i.e., 20-minute appointment)
- Identify the needs and wants of students you are working with, taking their lead in navigating their concerns
- Teach basic research skills for a wide range of programs or employment options
- For Employment Support: application and interview conventions for a wide range of employment options
- For Further Education: admissions information for a wide range of professional and graduate school programs
- Help students navigate feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, nervousness, and insecurity
- Support students in reviewing their experiences and identifying their strengths
- Facilitate goal identification and articulation
Advisor Support and Admin Tasks
- Monitor intake systems for student appointment requests and bookings
- For Employment Support: monitor drop-in schedule and bookings
- For Further Education: monitor and triage the further education request form for student requests and reply by email
- Effectively refer students to appointments with Career Advisors and other CCA services Support Career Advisors by scheduling appointments, with students from drop-ins, in our online booking system (WaterlooWorks)
- Learn about supportive services offered at the University of Waterloo and in our community and refer students to them when applicable
- Chairing and notetaking at team meetings at least once per term
- Support events, initiatives, and outreach as needed throughout the term, such as resume review training for Teaching Assistants (TAs), campus fairs (e.g. further education fair), etc.
What you can gain from this role
- Mentoring and advising experience
- Knowledge of and referral experience with campus and community resources
- Experience being flexible and adaptable in your work
- Familiarity with higher education structures and processes
- Experience supporting students through ethical decision-making processes
Time commitment
- Full-term commitment (Spring 2024 term) with the possibility to extend contract in subsequent terms
- 3-12 hours of work per week (higher hours in the first month of term when there’s a stronger need; fewer hours in the remaining months of term)
- Flexibility to work from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST. (we will work around individual schedules)
- Mandatory Training Period: Must be available to attend 25-30 hours of virtual training from Monday April 29th until Friday May 3rd, 2024. Training will take place during the day between the hours of 10am-5pm EST.
- Must be available to attend 6 hours of drop-in virtual and in-person shadowing during the first two full weeks of May, happening sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST
- This is a hybrid position (combination of in-person and virtual work) therefore, you will need to be available for in-person drop-ins at the Tatham Centre, Davis Centre Library, and other campus locations, as well as have access to reliable internet and a suitable computer. If you need support accessing reliable internet or a suitable computer, we can facilitate options to access these resources – just let us know!
- You must be available to work at least one of the following in-person shifts: Mondays 5-7pm at Davis Centre Library, Tuesdays 12-2pm at Tatham Centre, and/or Thursdays 12-2pm at Tatham Centre.
Please submit one PDF document containing both your cover letter and résumé to Anika Williams-Hewitt, Career Leader Supervisor, at a47willi@uwaterloo.ca by no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that by accepting this position they would not compromise their enrolment status, visa conditions, or scholarship/award terms. If you are unsure, check with your department program coordinator.
The University of Waterloo respects, appreciates, and encourages diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, age, colour, gender, sexual orientation, ability or disability.