Assistant Director of Career Programs and STEM Internships

Position Title: Assistant Director of Career Programs and STEM Internships

Department: Office of Career Programs and Employer Relations

Reports To: Senior Director of Career Curriculum and Employer Relations

Location: On campus, River Forest, IL

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Career Programs and STEM Internships will work in collaboration with the Senior Director of Career Programs and Employer Relations, the Career Programs team, and various campus offices to provide career and internship advising to undergraduate students and support career programs at Dominican University. This support requires regular monitoring and support of students' progress in meeting core curriculum career and vocation graduation requirements and supporting students in securing internship placements to meet the core curriculum career practicum graduation requirement as well as supporting students' successful post-graduation outcomes (employment, graduate school enrollment, full-time volunteer service). The Assistant Director of Career Programs and STEM Internships will use a standardized system for internship management that involves creating student and employer internship agreements to support internship success and facilitate enrollment into required career practicum courses. Internships may be managed through on- or off-campus placement, including Non-Employment Based Opportunities (NEBO) and contract work. The Assistant Director of Career Programs and STEM Internships will monitor, communicate with, and manage students during their internships. With the Career Programs team, the Assistant Director of Career Programs and STEM Internships will also support the marketing and management of Office of Career Programs and Employer Relations programming, including career fairs, employer visits on and off campus, job shadow visits, mock interview events, the senior showcase, on-campus employer recruiting efforts, and other programming that supports students' career and vocation exploration and success.

Note: This position supports the implementation of the federally funded Title III-F project designed to enhance STEM career readiness and expand work-based learning opportunities for undergraduate students, especially those from Hispanic and first-generation/low-income backgrounds. Title III-F funds 80% of the position through September 30, 2026. After that date, the position will be fully funded by the institution.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor and advise students on the completion of STEM-focused core curriculum career requirements and vocation-based graduation milestones.
• Provide one-on-one coaching for STEM resumes, cover letters, personal statements, and job or graduate school search strategies.
• Assist students in locating and securing STEM internships, contract work (NEBOs), and career-building opportunities.
• Implement and manage a streamlined STEM internship registration process, including employer agreements and course enrollment.
• Ensure the completion of all necessary STEM internship documentation and paperwork within management systems.
• Track, maintain, and produce comprehensive reports on student participation in STEM programs, placements, and employer agreements.
• Oversee and manage funding and logistics for STEM-related NEBOs and contract work in collaboration with campus stakeholders.
• Identify, build, and maintain strategic relationships with STEM employers, alumni, and professional organizations to create job and internship pipelines.
• Lead and coordinate STEM career-focused events, including career fairs, employer visits, job shadow programs, and mock interviews.
• Utilize Handshake or 12Twenty to approve STEM-related job postings and manage the student-facing job board.
• Collaborate with faculty and university departments to develop and deliver innovative STEM career development programming.
• Develop marketing communications and manage website content to promote STEM career programs, recruitment events, and opportunities.
• Identify and communicate targeted STEM career opportunities to students based on academic programs and professional interests.
• Manage event logistics, including timeline development, budget management, outreach, and feedback collection for STEM initiatives.
• Deliver internal and external presentations regarding STEM career programs and student preparation initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM field or related area
• Experience working with and creating programming for the professional and career development needs of Hispanic, low-income, first-generation, and/or other under-represented students.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills preferred to support engagement with diverse populations
• Experience utilizing assistive technologies and digital resources to support diverse learning needs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced degree in STEM field, higher education, or equivalent professional experience
• Advanced knowledge of career development theories, counseling processes, career decision making, learning styles and job search strategies
• Proficient in Canvas, 12Twenty, and other online career search tools
• Knowledge about STEM majors, industry and agency employers, employment trends, and internship and research opportunities
• Strong commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to develop strong relationships with internal (e.g. students, faculty, staff, and administrators) and external (e.g. employer partners, diverse professional associations, and executive-level corporate leaders) stakeholders to create robust career opportunities for STEM students
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently with creativity, professionalism, and a positive attitude
• Ability to develop, organize, and independently manage a variety of projects simultaneously and meet all required deadlines
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Applicant Tracking systems (ATS), Learning Management systems (LMS), Career Management systems (CMS), and Customer Relations Management systems (CRM)
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to spend long durations of the workday sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Note: accommodations will be made for candidates who do not meet these physical demands

SALARY AND FLSA STATUS

• Salary Range: $64,000-69,000
• FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-time (37.5 hours)

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependents
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Generous paid time off (PTO)

Employment at Dominican University is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation.

About Dominican University

Dominican University is a Catholic, comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with an additional campus in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Dominican University offers associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. It is highly regarded for its academic rigor, thoughtful accompaniment of students, intentional affordability, and values-based, relationship-centered learning environment.

Dominican currently enrolls over 3,800 students, including 2,690 undergraduates and 1,114 graduate students. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of undergraduate students identify as Latinx, 5% as Black or African American, and 3% as Asian. Under-represented minority students comprise 77% of the undergraduate enrollment and 38% of the graduate enrollment. Over 90 percent of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. Nearly half of all undergraduates are first-generation college students; over half are federal Pell Grant recipients, illustrating their families' level of income; and 58% are eligible for low-income MAP grants from the State of Illinois.

Recognized since 2011 as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, Dominican is committed to expanding and enhancing educational opportunities for Latinx students and all students from historically underrepresented groups. For more information, visit www.dom.edu.

Expectations for all Dominican Employees:

To support the University''s mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building. This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.

Institutional Statement

Dominican University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, and candidates from diverse backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need accommodations due to a disability, you may contact us at opc@dom.edu for assistance.