POSITION SUMMARY

Grinnell College’s nationally recognized Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) is seeking a passionate, student-centered professional to join our team as an Exploratory Adviser.

The Exploratory Adviser plays a critical role in Grinnell’s holistic approach to student success and career development. With all first-year students assigned an Exploratory Adviser, this individual serves as a welcoming, trusted partner as students transition and acclimate to Grinnell. The adviser supports students in building self-awareness, confidence, and direction during their earliest stages of college life. 

The primary focus of the Exploratory Adviser is providing high-quality advising to first- and second-year students as they:

1. assess their values, strengths, and interests;
2. explore academic, personal, and professional pathways while gaining skills through high-impact experiential learning opportunities; and
3. connect and network with alumni, employers, faculty, and peers to begin building professional relationships.

Additionally, the Exploratory Adviser provides general career advising to second-year and upper-division students. Advising may include, but is not limited to, career exploration; resume and cover letter development; internship and job searches; interview preparation; graduate and professional school exploration and application; post-graduate service opportunities; and offer evaluation and negotiation.

The Exploratory Adviser will conduct outreach and programming with campus constituents, including first-year tutorial course faculty members, develop and refine resources to support students’ professional, personal, and civic development and exploration, and perform general duties that advance the mission of the CLS.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking, nationally recognized center that partners closely with students from their first semester through graduation—and beyond—to prepare them for lives of purpose, adaptability, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise Students
• Provide Campus Outreach and Programming
• Research and Develop Resources/Materials
• Support CLS projects and priorities

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must possess a master’s degree in counseling, student development, higher education, or related field.
• At least one year of work experience in career development, higher education advising, or a similar field (must possess demonstrated experience in advising or one-on-one individual coaching).
• Candidates must be interested in working with a diverse learning community (students, faculty, and staff) and promoting the tenets of equity and inclusion.
• Candidates for this role must have experience delivering presentations and workshops.
• Exploratory Advisers must possess exceptional communication (verbal and written) skills and can interact and collaborate effectively with all levels of the College community, including students, faculty, alumni, staff, and administrators. This individual should also demonstrate a commitment to professional and ethical standards as they relate to advising and counseling.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of career development, career exploration processes, and student development.
• Familiarity with identifying and applying for experiential learning opportunities, including internships and research opportunities, and knowledge of résumé and cover letter writing standards.