Career Coach, College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Reporting to the Manager of Student Services, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences Career Coach serves as a member of the Student Services team for the LSU Olinde Career Center; provides career coaching to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences students and alumni; empowers students to explore their major and career, coaches through understanding themselves and gaining experience to complement their academic careers; guides students on how to prepare effectively for experiential opportunities, the job search, and graduate school. Works closely with professional staff and faculty to expand a culture of career throughout the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP:

Empower Students in Their Personal Definition of Success: Every LSU student has a unique vision of success after graduation, whether that involves graduate school, entering the workforce, or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Career Coaches play a pivotal role in helping students clarify their values, strengths, and goals while providing the tools and encouragement needed to pursue them. By equipping students with self-awareness and practical strategies, Career Coaches empower them to take ownership of their career journey and to graduate not just with a degree, but with a plan.

Develop Career Connections for Interdisciplinary Studies Programs: With the development of the new concentrations for Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major, the HSS Career Coach has the opportunity to build creative events and programs which showcase the career opportunities for students in these concentrations. Connecting faculty and employer partners will open new ways of disseminating career pathways for students in the IDS program.

Expand Proactive Student Engagement and Experiential Learning: In an effort to expand the culture of career within HSS, this Career Coach has the opportunity to develop creative approaches to engage students earlier and connect them with internships, research, campus involvement, and other experiences that complement their academic goals and prepare them for life after LSU.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

• Unequivocally student-centered in every aspect of decision-making. Is student-oriented even when it requires creativity or challenging the status quo.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships of trust and support with colleagues across the campus community.
• Committed to innovation, creativity, and outside-the-box thinking while being dedicated to high-quality work, professionalism, and results. Strives to be better tomorrow than yesterday.
• Effective communicator who has a genuine sense of respect and appreciation for the community we serve.
• Skilled project manager who can plan, organize, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Active learner who is in constant pursuit of building knowledge from known experts to best meet the needs of students.
• Ability to demonstrate effective customer service skills: kind, helpful, and easy to work with.

ABOUT THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS PRIORITIES:

In LSU Student Affairs, we create conditions that matter for student success. This priority guides how we approach our work, make decisions, and serve our students, their families, and our campus community. We pursue quality in all that we do. Students and staff deserve our best, every day, in every way. We consistently search for ways to always look to make it easy for students to succeed, whether by simplifying processes or removing barriers. We are LSU-centric as we think strategically and make decisions that advance LSU’s mission, priorities, and students. We lead with curiosity, explore possibilities, and remain open to better ideas, which means we always start with maybe. Finally, we prioritize relationships, collaborating intentionally and recognizing that people are our greatest strength.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Student Support (65%): Coach undergraduate and graduate students, along with alumni, individually on holistic career development topics, providing front line advocacy and support.

Programming and Academic Integration (20%): Develop and execute career-related programming and events. Collaborate with faculty and staff in an effort to embed career in all levels of student engagement inside the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Build relationships with student organization leadership to facilitate career conversations inside those organizations.

Quality Control (10%): Ensures every aspect of programmatic outputs including administrative tasks, implementation, and overall design exudes a high degree of quality. Translates department efforts, initiatives, and goals to students through interactions at programs, services, events and experiences.

Other Duties As Assigned (5%): Other duties as assigned by the Senior Director and direct supervisor. This includes but is not limited to: efforts that support broad division/institution efforts including at least 40 hours per year spent helping divisional initiatives such as Move-In Day, Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Disability Services Finals Testing, other special projects, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• One year of professional work experience (2 years of graduate assistantship qualifies).
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration or related discipline.
• Experience working in a college career services office.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS:

As with all LSU employees, due to this position title and/or responsibilities, this position has an obligation to assist students in the acquisition of necessary services. Should a student appear in need of or seek assistance with issues of an emotional, behavioral, or mental health related matter they should be referred to the proper service within the Student Health Center. In situations where the student creates an impression that they are a danger to themselves or others, the advisor should immediately contact the Care Team, the Dean of Students or the appropriate law enforcement agency. The employee outside of those rights contained within FERPA should create no impression of client or patient confidentiality.

NOMINATIONS, APPLICATIONS, AND INQUIRIES:

Applications will be accepted online on the LSU Careers website. Please direct all nominations and inquiries for the position to Megan Elliott-Smith Rainwater, Search Administrator, at 225-578-3868. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. However, to ensure the fullest consideration, candidates are encouraged to have complete applications submitted by November 2, 2026. Requested application materials include a letter of interest or cover letter; resume or curriculum vitae; and the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications.  An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.