Career Counselor, Duke Law School

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary

The Career Counselor (Career Specialist, Sr.) will be responsible for providing career advice and counsel to Duke Law students and graduates regarding all aspects of career and professional development and employment searches, primarily in the private sector in law.  This role is an integral part of the Career & Professional Development Center and is central to pursuing our mission.  Our mission is to build strong and lasting relationships with our students and to empower them to pursue their unique career aspirations by acquiring professional skills, identifying and achieving individual goals, developing insight to adapt to a rapidly changing global market, and embodying the Duke Law Blueprint values.  

Primary Position Responsibilities
Student Career Counseling (65%)
This Career Counselor is one of the primary providers of career counseling and targeted advice to Duke Law students and graduates through one on one and other meetings.  The position coaches and counsels students in two broad areas – professional development and industry knowledge.  Professional development ranges from big-picture, long-term life, self-assessment and career planning, to detailed review of resumes and other written materials, and, critically, narrative development for interviewing; also covered are discussions of professional opportunities, guidance and advice on search strategies and techniques, networking, general professionalism and more.  

Student Programming and Professional Development Education (25%)
This Career Counselor will be responsible for creating and the producing career development-related materials in a range of media; the Counselor will lead video recording, editing and publishing for elearning educational modules as well as the creation of graphical hand-outs/PDF.  Content will generally be determined in conjunction with colleagues and will include researching and developing new student resources, updating current resources, and developing student programming. “Ownership” of certain programmatic areas is anticipated.

Career Center Support (10%)
Interact with alumni, employers and other professionals to deepen institutional and personal relationships.

Attend and/or support the execution of significant office, school-wide or community events. 

Serve as a liaison/mentor to one or more student groups, including keeping track of student group plans and programs and facilitating communication between groups and the Career Center. 

Support Duke Law alumni seeking career guidance.

Participate as an active team member in an extremely high-functioning and friendly office.  

Other duties as assigned.

Experience with as much of the above as possible is preferred, with a commitment by the Career Counselor to focus on continuous learning to complement existing experience and knowledge.

Qualifications

Education Required
•    Work generally requires communications, analytical and organizational skills required through completion of a master’s degree.

Experience Required
•    Work requires one year of experience in a placement or other student services function to gain considerable knowledge of career counseling and placement programs.

Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Education Preferred
•    JD degree
•    An advanced academic degree, certificate or formal training in counseling, psychology, coaching or related areas would be valued.

Experience Preferred
•    A minimum of 7 years of work experience.
•    At least 4 years of professional legal practice including some in a large law firm setting.
•    Experience in career development at a law school, legal personnel/professional development role at a law firm or consulting firm to the legal industry.
•    Work experience in government or public interest, as well as business, is also valued.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred
•    Ability to listen and reflect, to communicate clearly and empathetically, as well as to collaborate with people from all backgrounds.
•    Customer service orientation and demonstrated equanimity in complex situations.
•    Career or other coaching and counseling abilities.
•    Ability to use elearning related tools for video recording, editing and publishing, including Panopto, Warpwire, Zoom (of course) and similar.
•    Facility with on-line research tools, social media and LinkedIn, and the ability to learn new tools and programs including those for data and work-flow.
•    Experience administering self-assessment or comparable tests.
•    Ability to advise students about the practice of law in law firm and corporate settings; to be knowledgeable about specific law firms and businesses, including emerging companies; to have or develop relationships with practitioners; and to understand differences among current and emerging practice areas. In addition, familiarity with opportunities in a range of fields including government and public interest, judicial internships, working abroad and others, is expected.
•    Success in the role will be built on a collaborative, energetic, and positive personality.

All candidates must apply through the Duke University electronic recruiting system. Please go to http://www.hr.duke.edu/jobs/apply/index.php and enter requisition number _____________.  In addition, please e-mail a cover letter and resume to Kelly Briggs at [email protected]. 

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Work generally requires communications, analytical and organizational skills acquired through completion of a master's degree.

Work requires one year of experience in a placement or other student services function to gain considerable knowledge of career counseling and placement programs. Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.