Colorado Nonprofit Association

Career Advisor

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – very high research activity as a Doctoral/Research University. Financial Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and The Princeton Review have consistently ranked DU among the nation’s top 100 universities and among the top three universities in the state of Colorado.

The University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world.

About DU Advancement

The University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence of our great institution. Advancement efforts at DU have a tremendous impact through our relationships with DU’s remarkable students, dedicated donors, inspiring alumni, engaged families, and wonderful friends. DU is committed to building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our institution as we implement the DU IMPACT 2025 vision. The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. You can learn more about inclusive excellence at the University of Denver by visiting The Cultural Center’s digital home. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of collaborative, curious, results-oriented, and mission-driven advancement professionals who value inclusivity and who possess a deep respect for one another and for our shared profession.

About Career and Professional Development

Career and Professional Development (CPD) is a part of the Global Networks team within DU’s Advancement office. CPD is one of five offices on campus providing career development services to a diverse community of DU students and alumni. CPD serves all the undergraduate programs, University College, multiple graduate programs, and alumni not served by the other career services offices on campus. We provide a full range of services including one-on-one career advising, class presentations and course integration, programming/events, career fairs, on-campus recruiting, access to thousands of jobs, internships and alumni and employer connections. Career & Professional Development is a very fast-paced, busy office that connects with students, faculty, staff, a wide variety of departments and divisions across campus, employers, families, and the community. CPD is implementing a strategic plan for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion that includes six bold goals to achieve by 2025 based on feedback from stakeholders including students, alumni, and employers.

Position Summary

The Career Advisors provides direct comprehensive career services for undergraduate students and first-year alumni. The Career Advisor is the primary liaison to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and the Ritchie School of Engineering & Computer Science (ECS) with a primary responsibility to NSM. The Career Advisor conducts regular outreach to their respective faculty and staff and acts as the CPD representative in meetings with college partners. The Career Advisors will partner closely with the Associate Director of CPD to develop and implement career programming and events, including new initiatives, to grow the engagement of students in their corresponding areas, as related to the mission of DU IMPACT 2025. As an outward-facing role, this position will also include presenting career education concepts in classes, for student organizations and other similar requests from units across campus. The Career Advisor will demonstrate advocacy of the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in their work including in student professional development and employer relationship management. This position reports to the Associate Director, Career & Professional Development.

Essential Functions

Career Advising

• Provide comprehensive career development to individuals and groups of undergraduate students and recent alumni in majors within STEM
• Serve as a Career Advisor Liaison to the 1GenU program; provide presentations and events to support students in the program.
• Deliver 1:1 career advising through in-person, phone and virtual appointments including resume/CV/cover letter reviews, internship/job search strategy, informational interviews & networking guidance, career exploration, interview practice and coaching, and salary/offer negotiation assistance.
• Practice a market-based approach in career planning and advising students and understand the degrees and programs offered in respective areas.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships and communication with appropriate student populations.
• Accurately track student interactions and engagements in PCO (CPD’s career management system).
• Utilize engagement data in Tableau to develop reports for department leadership and organize a strategy for increasing engagement for their student population.

Program & Event Development

• Develop and implement tailored career education/class presentations, career programs and events (i.e. alumni networking events, panels, etc.) for assigned student population.
• Develop virtual and online engagement opportunities such as career education videos and webinars engaging students and alumni in conversation and networking.
• Collaborate with Alumni Engagement to develop relationships and connect alumni to students. Encourage the hiring of DU students and engage alumni for programs, events and activities on campus (such as networking and panels).
• Work with the Employer Connections team to identify potential employers for programs and events. Encourage the hiring of DU students and alumni and engage employers for programs, events and activities on campus (such as networking and panels).
• Work with Advancement Marketing & Communications to create and disseminate marketing materials, promote events to relevant campus partners and departmental marketing and communications staff.
• Create and track events in PCO.
• May have the opportunity to teach career courses offered to all undergraduate students.

Career Development Collaboration

• Establish and maintain effective relationships and communication with appropriate college faculty, staff and administration.
• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based Advancement and Career & Professional Development functions and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative career and professional development practices.
• Model “One DU” leadership.

Special Projects

• Act as a mentor to the Peer Advisors as part of the Peer Advisor Program and graduate student employees who serve the STEM students within CPD.
• Serve as a liaison to other campus partners.

University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative work.
• Model “One DU” leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong service orientation, excellent interpersonal and advising skills, and sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations.
• Knowledge of career development challenges and opportunities for undergraduate students and first-year alumni.
• Cultural competency and the ability to understand and appreciate cultural differences that affect student experience and to communicate effectively across cultures.
• Ability to identify and analyze employment trends impacting students in assigned areas. Knowledge of local, national, and international job markets.
• Ability to speak effectively and credibly to a wide range of students, alumni, faculty, staff and employers.
• Proficient in understanding the degrees and programs offered and practice a market-based approach in career planning and advising students.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Must have strong spelling and grammar skills to provide feedback on cover letters, resumes, networking communications, mock interviews, etc.
• Familiarity with a range of career assessment instruments.
• Strong ability to partner with faculty, staff alumni for the development of innovative career programs.
• Desire to define problems, establish facts, and provide solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education or work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification)
• 2 years of related professional experience in developing and planning programs, career advising, or coaching

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree, preferably in higher education, counseling, or industry-related field
• Experience in a higher education, or similar complex environment such as the military, government or non-profits
• Experience developing and planning career-related programs
• Experience working with college students or other job seekers
• Experience teaching or assisting with career courses or similar student success courses
• Experience assisting clients in using effective personal branding techniques such as resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, interview preparation
• Familiarity with a range of career assessment instruments such as StrengthsFinder, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory

Working Environment

1. Open office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions often occur, and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.
4. Eligible for hybrid work with supervisor approval.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required

Application Deadline

For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 5, 2023.

Salary Grade Number:

The salary grade for the position is 7.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $50,000-$55,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.