Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Career Success
Penn State University, University Park, TX, United States
Position Overview
The Office of Graduate Educational Engagement Programs (OGEEP) within the J. Jeffery and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School seeks a dynamic professional to serve as Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Career Success. The role leads the development and delivery of career readiness initiatives, professional development programming, and mentoring opportunities to support the diverse career goals of Penn State’s graduate students. Additionally, the Assistant/Associate Director aligns graduate career and professional development efforts with workforce trends, employer needs, and student aspirations, ensuring graduates are prepared for meaningful career success.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and deliver career programming for diverse pathways: academia, industry, government, and nonprofits.
Lead mentoring initiatives connecting graduate students with faculty, alumni, and professionals.
Cultivate external partnerships and secure funding for programs such as Accelerate to Industry (A2i).
Build employer relationships and coordinate internships, site visits, workshops, and panels.
Collaborate with faculty, career services, and university offices to align and share resources.
Assess student career needs and program outcomes for continuous improvement.
Advise graduate students on career planning, transferable skills, and job market navigation.
Promote inclusive, scalable models for career services across disciplines.
Represent the Graduate School in university and external career development discussions.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree preferably in higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, or a related field.
Experience in graduate education, student engagement, or related areas within a higher education setting.
Familiarity with corporate partnership development, advancement strategies, or fundraising within a university context.
Experience with platforms such as Handshake, Interstride, or other career development and tracking systems.
Demonstrated experience in creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that support diverse graduate student populations, including domestic and international students.
Proven ability to collaborate with academic and administrative units, and to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students across a complex institution.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including experience managing budgets and supervising staff or student employees.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
Commitment to promoting inclusive environments.
Preferred Qualifications
Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in higher education, student development, or a related field; or equivalent experience in senior‑level leadership roles in higher education.
Experience working directly with graduate student populations at a research‑intensive institution.
Familiarity with national trends in graduate education, international student support, and student success strategies around career and professional development.
Experience cultivating strategic partnerships, writing grant proposals, or leading campus‑wide initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to use assessment data to guide planning and decision‑making.
Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications If filled as Career Services Specialist – Senior Professional, this position requires: Master’s Degree and 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required Certifications: None.
If filled as Career Services Specialist – Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required Certifications: None.
Background Checks/Clearances Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Employment Eligibility Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Salary & Benefits The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $51,000.00 – $89,600.00.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Retirement plans.
Paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
Generous 75% tuition discount available to employees and eligible spouses and children.
EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Key Responsibilities
Develop and deliver career programming for diverse pathways: academia, industry, government, and nonprofits.
Lead mentoring initiatives connecting graduate students with faculty, alumni, and professionals.
Cultivate external partnerships and secure funding for programs such as Accelerate to Industry (A2i).
Build employer relationships and coordinate internships, site visits, workshops, and panels.
Collaborate with faculty, career services, and university offices to align and share resources.
Assess student career needs and program outcomes for continuous improvement.
Advise graduate students on career planning, transferable skills, and job market navigation.
Promote inclusive, scalable models for career services across disciplines.
Represent the Graduate School in university and external career development discussions.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree preferably in higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, or a related field.
Experience in graduate education, student engagement, or related areas within a higher education setting.
Familiarity with corporate partnership development, advancement strategies, or fundraising within a university context.
Experience with platforms such as Handshake, Interstride, or other career development and tracking systems.
Demonstrated experience in creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that support diverse graduate student populations, including domestic and international students.
Proven ability to collaborate with academic and administrative units, and to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students across a complex institution.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including experience managing budgets and supervising staff or student employees.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
Commitment to promoting inclusive environments.
Preferred Qualifications
Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in higher education, student development, or a related field; or equivalent experience in senior‑level leadership roles in higher education.
Experience working directly with graduate student populations at a research‑intensive institution.
Familiarity with national trends in graduate education, international student support, and student success strategies around career and professional development.
Experience cultivating strategic partnerships, writing grant proposals, or leading campus‑wide initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to use assessment data to guide planning and decision‑making.
Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications If filled as Career Services Specialist – Senior Professional, this position requires: Master’s Degree and 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required Certifications: None.
If filled as Career Services Specialist – Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required Certifications: None.
Background Checks/Clearances Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Employment Eligibility Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Salary & Benefits The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $51,000.00 – $89,600.00.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Retirement plans.
Paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
Generous 75% tuition discount available to employees and eligible spouses and children.
EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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