Program Coordinator, Career Exploration

Position Summary:

The Program Coordinator of Career Exploration role is part of the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for assisting the career development team in administering student workplace supports, coordinating student career exploration and internship opportunities, and evaluating the program’s career development initiatives. 

Reporting directly to the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships, the Program Coordinator of Career Exploration will plan and develop career exploration and campus internship opportunities, provide individualized internship development supports for students and campus employers, teach foundational career development courses, support overall team marketing goals through career development social media and newsletter spotlights, and assist the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships in program initiatives. Additionally, this role will support the development and implementation of pre-Registered Apprenticeship Pathway (Pre-RAP) experiences aligning with the program of study. 

About The Work Unit:

Ranked as the #1 Special Education Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade, our department has long been a leader both in research and practice. 

The mission of the Department of Special Education is to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities through (a) the preparation of exceptionally competent teachers and researchers, (b) conducting research that informs and improves educational programs and behavioral interventions, and (c) leadership in professional associations and advocacy for persons with disabilities. We are committed to equipping students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and support to people with disabilities and their families.

About the Next Steps Program

Next Steps at Vanderbilt is the founding post-secondary education program in Tennessee. Based out of the nationally recognized Peabody College, Next Steps is an innovative postsecondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing individualized programs focused on academic, social, and career development. Our status as a Comprehensive Transition Program (designated by the U.S. Department of Education) recognizes the program’s merits and allows eligible students to apply for Federal Financial Aid for tuition assistance. We are committed to providing students with disabilities inclusive, transformational postsecondary education in academics, social and career development, and independent living, while honoring equality, compassion, and excellence in all endeavors. More information can be found at https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/nextsteps/. 

Duties And Responsibilities

Plan and develop career exploration opportunities for first-year students. This may include:

• In collaboration with the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships, the Program Coordinator will plan and develop career exploration opportunities each year that consist of job shadowing, job sampling, industry tours, informational interviews, and a culminating project for up to 12 first year students 
• The Program Coordinator will utilize networking, relationship building, and customer service skills to develop career exploration partnerships centered around students' interests and potential program pathways.
• The Program Coordinator will solidify an exploration schedule with partners, design student reflections, and coordinate the day-to-day management and execution of the exploration experience, in coordination with at least one graduate assistant.
• The Program Coordinator will use student reflections, employer partner feedback, program data, and discussions with the career development team to determine any necessary career exploration program updates each year.

Serve as an instructor for first year and sophomore foundational career development courses

• Utilize universal design for learning strategies for developing an inclusive course of study 
• Provide opportunity for students to reflect on their career development experiences and to build relevant skills within a classroom environment 

Support the development and integration of Pre-Registered Apprenticeship Pathways (Pre-RAP) experiences into the program of study. This may include: 

• Aligning program of study and career exploration activities to pre-Registered Apprenticeship Pathways 
• Recruiting pre-RAP sites and placements, especially those on campus
• Supporting sophomore students in applying for pre-RAPs that align with their career and academic goals and interests 

Lead underclass students in identifying and developing individualized internship/pre-RAP placements on a semester-basis. This may include:

• Providing support to students with internship/apprenticeship search activities (i.e., updating relevant employment documents, drafting, and sending interest emails to campus employers, completing online job applications, and preparing for interviews)
• Supporting students with any pre-hire paperwork and new hire orientation requirements prior to starting internships.
• Coordinating student internship/apprenticeship schedules based on the needs of the placement site and the student’s schedule.
• Monitoring progress on and providing feedback for internship/apprenticeship placements aligned with the career development scope and sequence, as determined by the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships.

Provide consultative support to students and campus employer partners. This may include:

• Delivering inclusive workplace training to campus employer partners, as needed.
• Developing individualized support tools and plans for natural workplace support with students and site supervisors. 
• Communicating with all parties, checking in with the student and internship supervisor to ensure support needs are being met.
• Evaluating the student’s workplace skills and independence through weekly evaluations, collecting data on their professionalism, communication, transferable job skills, and specialized skills.
• Supporting the student and supervisor in conducting pre/post-placement performance reviews as an opportunity to discuss feedback, goals, and expectations.
• Supporting pre-RAP and on-campus RAP partners as needed to ensure effective delivery of mentorship

Support the Next Steps team in implementing its marketing goals and plan through coordinating Career Development content. This may include:

• Developing weekly career development social media posts by collecting photos from career development programming and creating video reels.
• Writing up monthly newsletter articles featuring internship or employment success stories for the Next Steps monthly newsletter.

Perform additional Next Steps Staff Duties. This may include:

• Serving as an Advisor to students enrolled in Next Steps
• Collaborating with program staff on research and communication of best practices in career development for young adults with intellectual disability, particularly within higher education contexts including conferences and presentations

Supervisory Relationships:

At the direction of the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships, the Program Coordinator will support with the supervision of career coaches (graduate assistants) working with career exploration activities and internships. This includes supporting the Director of Career Development and Apprenticeships with the training of 3-4 career coaches, discussing additional coaching support needs, and addressing concerns as they arise in relation to career exploration and internships. Specifically, the Program Coordinator of Career Exploration will work closely with at least 1 career coach per year on project-based endeavors related to career exploration or early career development experiences. 

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, and experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred.

• Experience in education, job training, or related field is necessary.
• Experience with career exploration 
• Project development and implementation 

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.