Career Navigator

Overview

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after February 6, 2025.
• The wage for this position is $31.25 - $33.66 per hour. 

Function of the Unit

San Diego State University (SDSU) is a premier public research university renowned for its commitment to preparing leaders for the future and serving as a global hub for innovation. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and cutting-edge research, SDSU fosters a culture of discovery and collaboration that addresses the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The university is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in the workforce of today and tomorrow. Through innovative programs, global engagement, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, SDSU continues to shape the next generation of leaders while driving economic and social progress both locally and globally.

SDSU Career Services is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader in career development and industry relations, setting new standards for excellence for university career centers. By prioritizing student employment outcomes and earnings as its key success metric, the department is reshaping the role of career services in higher education and challenging traditional approaches. Through bold regional and statewide initiatives, SDSU Career Services drives workforce development, fosters strong industry partnerships, and serves as a catalyst for economic mobility. The department cultivates a culture of innovation, empowering its staff to push boundaries, embrace new possibilities, and develop transformative strategies that ensure student success. With a relentless focus on student achievement and dynamic industry engagement, SDSU Career Services remains at the forefront of redefining career readiness and workforce impact.

Purpose of the position

SDSU Career Services is seeking a forward-thinking, technology-friendly Career Navigator to lead the design and management of an interactive virtual community platform, foster industry relationships, and support career development for students across diverse postsecondary pathways, including certificate programs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. This role emphasizes the integration and leverage of cutting-edge technologies and concepts to transform the career development process and deliver impactful, scalable services.

The Career Navigator will spearhead the creation and management of a dynamic online platform that provides personalized and group career support, facilitates meaningful networking with peers and industry professionals, and hosts engaging career development events, skill-building activities, and experiential learning opportunities. Central to this role is leading eWorks! Career Leagues, a groundbreaking grant initiative inspired by the eSports model. This innovative program harnesses technology to guide students through the career development process, using interactive elements and virtual engagement to deliver immersive, impactful experiences at scale.

Working closely with cohorts of students, the Career Navigator will focus on designing and implementing experiential work opportunities, including apprenticeships and internships, ensuring students have access to meaningful, real-world experiences that prepare them for successful transitions into the workforce. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of career services by integrating cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking concepts into workforce development.

The Career Navigator will deliver personalized career coaching and support, aligning guidance with current labor market trends. In this role, the Navigator will help students explore their career interests and values while fostering the development of essential skills and confidence for success. By tailoring support to each student's unique goals, the Career Navigator empowers them to take meaningful, actionable steps toward realizing their career aspirations.

Responsibilities

The Career Navigator is responsible for but not limited to:

Innovation & Technology Integration 40%

• Research and implement emerging tools and platforms to enhance virtual career development services for students across various educational levels and institutions (e.g., certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees).
• Stay informed on trends in career development technology (AI, AR, VR, spatial computing) to ensure ongoing innovation and service improvement.
• Leverage technology to scale and enhance services such as virtual coaching, program management, and student engagement.
• Collaborate with the career services team to manage software and virtual event platforms that connect students, employers, and staff.
• Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of program outcomes to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with student needs.

Industry Relations 30%

• Implement a registered apprenticeship strategy that aligns with the Department of Labor (DOL), Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), and other relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong industry partnerships to gain insights into workforce needs, labor market trends, and relevant workforce policies, shaping the strategic direction of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
• Conduct employer consultations to identify potential pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship sites, ensuring alignment with industry needs and creating opportunities for students.
• Design and implement pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and internship programs that align students at various educational levels (certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, etc.) with employer demand and local workforce trends.
• Collaborate with regional community organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development offices (EDCs), SBDCs, and educational partners to create work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for students.
• Support career services programs and events such as career fairs, workshops, classroom presentations, and networking events to connect students with employers.

Career Development 20%

• Create a positive and welcoming environment that encourages students to enhance their skills through education and career readiness.
• Provide one-on-one career coaching and develop personalized career plans using student career development frameworks to clarify goals, navigate the job market, and explore employment opportunities.
• Research industry trends to stay current on job market demands, and create, update, and maintain career development resources to support student success.
• Design and implement tailored career readiness programs for students at various educational levels (e.g., certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees).
• Collaborate with the career services team to facilitate workshops and group sessions on resume writing, interview preparation, work-based learning (WBL) search strategies, and career exploration.
• Partner with campus stakeholders to create equitable pathways for career success and provide tailored support to ensure student success.
• Track student progress and provide ongoing guidance, resources, and follow-up support to help students achieve their career goals.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 10%

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices or programs.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 3-years of progressively responsible experience in an office or administrative environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 years designing or implementing pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, internship, or job development programs.
• 5 years collaborating with industry partners (e.g., community organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development offices, SBDCs).

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer.

Salary : $31 - $34