Career Counselor, Office of Career Strategy at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

University OverviewThe University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job TitleCareer Counselor, Office of Career Strategy

Job Profile TitleAssociate Director C, Student Services, Advising

Job Description SummaryJob Description 2024


The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is one of the nation's oldest and most distinguished law schools. We offer a distinctive cross-disciplinary legal education, drawing on the depth and breadth of the University of Pennsylvania, and a supportive intellectual community for our scholars and students alike. The Office of Career Strategy is dedicated to helping students understand their professional goals and interests, learn about the exciting world of possibilities, chart their career paths and achieve their goals - during law school and throughout their professional lifetime.

Reporting to the Director of Career Counseling, the Career Counselor provides generalist career support to Penn Carey Law students and alumni through individual counseling, group programming, resources, events, and document review. Additionally, the Career Counselor supports government and public interest career programs and services and serves as Office of Career Strategy partner for the Leo Model Foundation Government and Public Affairs Initiative.


This is a regular full-time position and is hybrid work eligible.

Job Description

Responsibilities include:

Provide career counseling and support the development and delivery of career education and professionalism programs for Penn Carey Law students and alumni across legal sectors.

• Provide career counseling and job search support to students and alumni pursuing a variety of career paths, including public interest, government, and private sector careers.


• Review and provide feedback on application materials, including resumes, cover letters, and personal statements. Conduct mock interviews and develop educational resources.


• Working in collaboration with the Office of Career Strategy team, support the development and delivery of career education and professionalism programming across legal sectors.

Support government career programs and services, including serving as Office of Career Strategy partner to the Leo Model Foundation Government and Public Affairs Initiative.

• Identify, build, and maintain strong relationships with employers and alumni across local, state, and federal government.


• Develop government career opportunities and support government career related programs and services.


• Lead Office of Career Strategy partnership with the Leo Model Foundation Government and Public Affairs Initiative. Collaborate with faculty and student organization leadership to design and deliver programs that educate students about government careers, introduce them to experienced government legal professionals, and facilitate employment and related experiential opportunities within the government.


• In collaboration with other Government Initiative partners, leverage communication tools to maximize student participation, measure program success, and report on outcomes.

Support public interest career programs and services, incorporating public sector postgraduate fellowships.

• Identify, track, and communicate external public sector employment fellowship opportunities to students and alumni.


• Develop and deliver programs, services and resources to educate students and alumni on how to prepare to compete and succeed in highly competitive fellowship selection processes.


• In collaboration with the Director of Public Interest Career Strategy and Counseling, track student career interests to ensure optimal alignment between opportunities and student career goals. Identify host organization opportunities and build relationships to enable successful fellowship and other employment opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Qualifications:

• B.A./B.S. required; J.D. strongly preferred.


• At least two years of legal work experience or other relevant professional experience in a government agency, legal organization, academic institution, law firm and/or business environment.


• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and attention to detail.


• Strong written and oral communication skills, including comfort in making group presentations.


• Familiarity with Microsoft office suite and survey tools preferred.


• Commitment to innovation, fostering a kind and supportive work environment, and the Penn Carey Law ideal of collaboration is required.

A cover letter is required with job application.

Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / SchoolLaw School

Pay Range$51,824.00 - $100,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

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  Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

  
  


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  Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

  
  


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  Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

  
  


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  Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.

  
  


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  Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

  
  


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  Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

  
  


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  Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

  
  


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  University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

  
  


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  Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

  
  


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  Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

  
  


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  Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

  
  


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  Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

  
  

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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