Career Advisor

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Career Advisor to join the Career Center. The RISD Career Center educates, advises and empowers all students and alumni to effectively translate their education into fulfilling professional experiences.

The Career Advisor provides career counseling to students and alumni as they apply their knowledge of art and design in the pursuit of fulfilling careers, emphasizing the acquisition of skills and abilities, and encouraging career exploration, goal setting and decision making. The role works to support a Career Center which recognizes principles of social equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and the work of our staff. We understand these principles to require ongoing attention to differential embodied experiences. This position will engage with RISD departments, faculty, and students to support professional development within the departments through consistent communication, presentations, and programming. The Career Advisor will research and create compelling presentations to educate students about the varied and expansive career paths that apply art and design skills and thinking to a broad range of professional environments. Proactively engages with the Careers staff to periodically develop new career programs and initiatives while also providing critical input on the execution of existing programming to meet the Career Center’s learning outcomes. The Career Advisor supports the activities of the office and the logistical needs and coverage of major career programs and other presentations including annual Career Center Portfolio Reviews, recruitment events, conferences, seminars, workshops, and departmental studio visits. The Career Advisor must treat RISD community members across all group memberships, perspectives and circumstances with respect, fairness, and dignity while developing effective working relationships with people who have different group identities, perspectives, and circumstances than themself.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

Essential Function #1: Career Advisement

• Provide individual and group career advising for students and alumni. Employ sensitivity and understanding to a diverse population of RISD students and alumni through an inclusive and caring environment. Offer guidance, support, and resources in consideration of the unique and varied career paths of artists and designers.
  
  

• Research and identify fields, markets, and opportunities related to all disciplines at RISD as well as areas encompassing the environment, social justice, community, sustainability, science, technology, government, non-profits, and medical, among others. Encourage students to explore and understand opportunities in order to make informed decisions pertaining to their career path.
  
  

• Review and edit career materials including resumes, cover letters, portfolios and grant proposals. Work with students and alumni to develop and implement strategies to help them achieve success in their career pursuits and prepare them for a diverse world and broad range of professional environments.
  
  

• Educate students about networks of alumni and professionals so they will feel confident in developing and utilizing these networks to enhance their professional opportunities beyond RISD.
  
  

• Advise students and alumni on grant, fellowship, and residency applications through the review of proposals, materials, and portfolios. Provide guidance to students applying to various RISD Managed Awards and other grant and fellowship opportunities which may include Fulbright and Maharam Fellowships. Serve on the internal selection committees of various RISD Managed grants and awards.
  
  

Essential Function #2: Career Program Development & Support

• Proactively engages with the Careers staff to develop new career programs and initiatives while also providing critical input on the execution of existing programming to meet the Career Center’s learning outcomes. Secure speakers, present programs and moderate panels. Ensures programming is focused on expanding skills, interests, and experiences so students can evaluate how these connect to their professional lives.
  
  

• Engage with RISD departments, faculty, and students to support professional development within the departments through consistent communication, presentations, and programming. Research and create compelling presentations to educate students about the varied and expansive career paths that apply art and design skills and thinking to a broad range of professional environments.
  
  

• Support the activities of the office and the logistical needs and coverage of major career programs and other presentations including annual Career Center Portfolio Reviews, recruitment events, conferences, seminars, workshops and departmental studio visits.
  
  

Essential Function #3: Data & Opportunity Research

• Research, identify, collect and disseminate information on markets, fields, companies, organizations, artists and designers who provide professional opportunities for our students and alumni in their career development.
  
  

• Update and maintain information in the RISD Career Center employer database and ensure accuracy for future strategic outreach through emails, phone calls and site visits. Evaluate the potential for employers and organizations to offer internships, jobs, freelance, grants and other career opportunities and determine future roles in career workshops, portfolio reviews and other career events. Support the Career Center’s job board, ArtWorks, by adding internships, jobs and opportunities when necessary.
  
  

Additional Functions:

• Complete other related duties as required, including participation in divisional and college meetings and committees as required.
  
  

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor degree in counseling, higher education/college personnel or related area or equivalent education and experience required.
  
  
• Minimum two years of experience in a college advising center, career center, or student success center, or similar environment or experience in a related field required.
  
  
• Knowledge of art and design fields, markets, and professional applications is preferred.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience in assessing student and alumni needs and effectively interacting with students and alumni from diverse backgrounds and academic interests.
  
  
• Ability to demonstrate cultural competencies in all interactions with students, alumni, faculty and staff while communicating belonging, access, and fairness.
  
  
• Knowledge of advising techniques and theory and understanding of current trends in career development and higher education: including an understanding of career assessment, job seeking skills, drafting cover letters and resumes, and interviewing techniques.
  
  
• Strong and effective communication skills in providing information about jobs, internships, opportunities, networks and professional resources.
  
  
• Experience interacting effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and employment communities in an inclusive and collaborative manner.
  
  
• Ability to work independently and with a team of colleagues.
  
  
• Willingness and ability to share learnings and ideas with others.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred.
  
  
• Experience in an art and design school.
  
  

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt; Regular

Grade:

530EX

Work Modality

On-campus; Hybrid Eligible

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

For internal use only - Job Family:

Career Services