Career Center - Peer Career Advisor-in-Training Work Study
Union College
Location
Schenectady, New York
Salary
$15 / HOUR
Quick overview
Provide one-on-one career advising to students regarding resumes, cover letters, and job search strategies. Serve as a Career Center ambassador by leading workshops and promoting resources to campus groups.
Requirements summary
Must be a first-year student with work-study eligibility and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Requires completion of the U Ready Career Accelerator and the ability to work approximately 7 hours per week.
Job description
This job is only available to students who qualify for Work-Study. If you are unsure whether you have been awarded Work-Study, please contact the Financial Aid office at finaid@union.edu. The Peer Career Advisor (PCA) role has two primary functions: (1) providing one-on-one advising to students and (2) serving as an ambassador for the Becker Career Center through workshops, programs, and outreach. PCAs support students in developing career documents, navigating internship and job searches, and effectively using career resources.
Department
- Becker
- Career
- Center
- Location:
- Becker
- Hall
- Supervisor:
- Pete
- Fowler
- Work available:
- Days
- Monday-Friday
- Rate of pay: $9.70/hr
- Eligibility: Open to first-year students (Class of 2029) To learn more about the role, attend an information session on April 27 or May 4 during Common Hour.
- Essential
- Responsibilities and
- Duties: Provide one-on-one advising to students, including support with resumes, cover letters, networking communications, and internship/job search strategies Guide students in effectively using career platforms and resources such as Handshake, LinkedIn, GarnetGrove, and the U Ready Career Accelerator Serve as a first point of contact for students and refer them to professional advisors for more specialized guidance when appropriate Teach strategies for creating strong application materials, including resume content, formatting, and overall impact Lead workshops and presentations (e.g., resume, LinkedIn, career exploration) for academic departments, student organizations, and campus groups Build and maintain relationships with assigned academic areas and student organizations to promote early engagement with career education Represent the Career Center at employer information sessions, admitted student events, and other outreach programs (some evening hours required) Plan and execute one event per term in collaboration with the
- Peer
- Career
- Advisor team
- Qualifications: First-year student graduating June 2029 Work-study eligibility Completion of the U Ready Career Accelerator (Nexus) Must maintain good academic standing (minimum GPA 3.0) Availability to work approximately 7 hours per week for at least two consecutive terms Willingness to participate in required training Demonstrated leadership and ability to work both independently and as part of a team Experience with networking and the internship/job search process Familiarity with Becker Career Center resources Strong interpersonal, written, and organizational skills Reliable, organized, and able to present information to a group setting
- Position
- Timeline
- Year 1: Peer Career Advisor in Training (PCAT) Sophomore Year | Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Participate in weekly training sessions led by Career Center staff Observe advising appointments and learn the structure and content of student meetings Complete training assignments focused on career advising methods and resource use Develop and maintain personal career materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, etc.) Must successfully complete a performance evaluation to advance
- Compensation: $9.70/hour Years 2–3: Peer Career Advisor (PCA) Junior & Senior Years | Fall 2027 – Spring 2029 Conduct one-on-one advising appointments to support students in developing career documents and search strategies Assist students with getting started with the Career Center and navigating available resources Document appointment notes in Handshake Lead workshops and contribute to Career Center programming and outreach Continue building relationships with campus partners to expand student engagement Plan one career-related event per term Represent the
- Career
- Center at events and employer programs
- Compensation: $15.00/hour
- Location:
- Schenectady,
- NY
- E-Verify
- Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar). Union College Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering. Accommodations If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at hr@union.edu or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process. Diversity at Union College Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations. Non-Discrimination Policy Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity.