FWS Peer Career Advisor (PCA)
Who are the Peer Career Advisors (PCAs)?
The Peer Career Advisors promote the importance of early and often engagement with VCU Career Services and serve an integral role as a first point of contact for VCU students with their career and professional development needs. Trained to be effective peer leaders on campus, Peer Career Advisors provide information on a diverse array of career development needs.
The Peer Career Advisors assist and advise students during weekly drop-in advising hours with resume and cover letter writing and critiques, job (part-time/full-time) and internship searching, strategies for finding volunteer and shadowing opportunities, as well as provide advice and tips on navigating different professional settings.
In addition to assisting students during drop-in hours (Tuesday-Friday, 11 am-2 pm), Peer Career Advisors engage in outreach by presenting in-person and virtually to student and campus organizations on a variety of career-related topics, further engaging with VCU students on a peer-to-peer level. Peer Career Advisors also help VCU Career Services by staffing career fairs, employer information sessions, recruitment and open house events, and other related events, as needed.
Position Description:
· Serve as a peer leader and role model within VCU Career Services by advising VCU students during drop-in hours with career-related questions and exploring experiential learning opportunities
· Collaborate with student organizations to conduct outreach, respond to program requests, and present on topics such as resume writing and cover letters, interviewing, job/internship search strategies, and how to utilize professional networks
· Build networking skills by participating in career fairs and events, employer information sessions, and interviews
· Other duties as assigned by Peer Career Advisors’ supervisor, faculty, and staff
Benefits:
· A peer leadership position on campus with the opportunity to foster the growth and development of all VCU students
· Gain a wide variety of valuable skills in career and professional development, leadership, facilitation, delivering presentations, advising, and interpersonal communication
· Receive extensive training in Career Services areas and become more knowledgeable about the career development process
· Participate in professional development opportunities and networking opportunities with employers
Qualifications:
· Enthusiasm and motivation surrounding career topics and the ability to represent VCU Career Services in an approachable and informative way
· Accountability, including the ability to work with minimal supervision and be flexible with your schedule, including both set weekly hours and evenings/weekends for events and presentations as needed.
· Ability to relate, interact, and build rapport with individuals of diverse backgrounds, both one-on-one and in group situations
· Willingness to work in a team setting with other PCAs and VCU Career Services professional and student staff
Requirements:
1. Must have some consistent availability between the hours of 11:00a.m -2:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday to cover drop-ins shifts (not all, but some). Some evening and weekend hours will also be needed based on campus events and program requests.
2. Looking for current sophomores or higher and must meet the minimum requirement of a 3.0 GPA or higher.
3. Interpersonal skills are a MUST and must possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal
4. Must be able to commit to serving in the position for the full academic year.
Peer Career Advisors are paid $12.50 per hour and work, on average, 8-10 hours per week, depending on availability. Currently accepting candidates for Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 academic year.
If you have any questions about the position or application please contact Skylar Gonzalez, gonzalezcr@vcu.edu.