Career Peer Intern (Student Assistant - FWS)

As a Career Peer intern at the USF Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD)- Tampa campus, you will serve as a student representative and a key support resource for fellow students navigating their career development. This role provides a unique opportunity to apply and develop NACE Career Readiness Competencies while assisting students with career-related services and resources.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Federal Work Study: Must have a current Federal Work Study (FWS) award for academic year 2026-2027. Proof of FWS award must be provided.
• Full-Time Enrollment: Must be a full-time, undergraduate degree-seeking student with good academic standing at the University of South Florida - Tampa campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Communication Skills: Strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Customer Service: Experience in customer service and student leadership roles.
• Experience with CCPD: Previous engagement with the center's events and programs.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in MS Office Suite and completion of Handshake profile.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must submit the following documents as one PDF file:

1. Updated Resume

2. Cover Letter (addressed to Chad Wallace)

3. Fall 2026 USF Class Schedule (screenshot from OASIS)- ensure that Name and U# is visible

4. Federal Work Study (FWS) Award Package- (screenshot from OASIS)- ensure that Name and U# is visible

For application assistance, visit: https://careers.usf.edu/

Contact Information:

For questions or follow-up, please contact Chad Wallace at ctwallace@usf.edu.

Key Responsibilities and Competencies:

Serve as a First Point of Contact- Staff Career Express and engage with students seeking assistance.

Competency Alignment:

• Oral/Written Communication: Demonstrate effective communication skills through interactions with students.

• Professionalism/Work Ethic: Exhibit a high level of professionalism and work ethic in all interactions.

Review and Provide Feedback on Professional Documents- Evaluate and provide constructive feedback on resumes, curriculum vitae (CVs), and cover letters.

Competency Alignment:

• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Apply analytical skills to assess and improve students'' professional documents.
• Career Management: Assist students in aligning their documents with career goals and industry standards.

Educate students on Handshake Platform- Guide students on using the Handshake platform and encourage the completion of their profiles.

Competency Alignment:

• Digital Technology: Utilize digital tools effectively to support students in managing their career information.
• Teamwork/Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the Career Development Team to enhance the usage of Handshake.
• Represent CCPD at Events-Support and represent CCPD at career fairs and other career-related events.

Competency Alignment:

• Leadership: Take initiative and demonstrate leadership skills by representing the department at various events.

• Global & Intercultural Fluency: Engage with a diverse audience and provide inclusive support.

Attend Training and Team Meetings- Participate in scheduled team training and weekly meetings.

Competency Alignment:

• Professionalism/Work Ethic: Show commitment to personal and professional growth through active participation in training and meetings.

• Self-Management: Apply time management skills to balance training, meetings, and other responsibilities

Support Office Projects and Additional Duties

Required Attributes:

Desire to Lead: Demonstrates initiative and leadership potential.

• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for engaging with students and staff.
• Self-Motivated: Exhibits strong work ethic and time management abilities.
• Professional Judgment: Exercises maturity and professional judgment in all tasks.
• Team Player: Works effectively as part of a team.
• Tech-Savvy: Open to learning and utilizing technology, such as Handshake.

Learning Objectives:

• Career Peers will provide clear and constructive feedback on professional documents and engage in meaningful one-on-one interactions with students, demonstrating effective verbal communication. NACE Competency: Oral/Written Communication
• Career Peers will consistently exhibit punctuality, professional demeanor, and adherence to ethical guidelines during all interactions at the center. NACE Competency: Professionalism/Work Ethic
• Career Peers will apply critical thinking to review and critique students' resumes, cover letters, and CVs, ensuring alignment with best practices, industry standards and career goals. NACE Competency: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
• Career Peers will instruct students on the effective use of the Handshake platform and support them in managing their career profiles and platform usage. NACE Competency: Digital Technology
• Career Peers will participate in career-related events or initiatives and work collaboratively with team members on projects, events and other resources at the center. NACE Competency: Leadership, Teamwork/Collaboration
• Career Peers will engage inclusively with a diverse student population, ensuring cultural sensitivity in all career development services. NACE Competency: Global/Intercultural Fluency
• Career Peers will collaborate with their supervisor and other career center professionals to develop their own career strategies and professional documents, aligning them with industry trends and personal career goals, as demonstrated through reflective discussions and progress reviews. NACE Competency: Career Management

Key Responsibilities and Competencies:

Serve as a First Point of Contact- Staff Career Express and engage with students seeking assistance.

Competency Alignment:

• Oral/Written Communication: Demonstrate effective communication skills through interactions with students.

• Professionalism/Work Ethic: Exhibit a high level of professionalism and work ethic in all interactions.

Review and Provide Feedback on Professional Documents- Evaluate and provide constructive feedback on resumes, curriculum vitae (CVs), and cover letters.

Competency Alignment:

• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Apply analytical skills to assess and improve students'' professional documents.
• Career Management: Assist students in aligning their documents with career goals and industry standards.

Educate students on Handshake Platform- Guide students on using the Handshake platform and encourage the completion of their profiles.

Competency Alignment:

• Digital Technology: Utilize digital tools effectively to support students in managing their career information.
• Teamwork/Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the Career Development Team to enhance the usage of Handshake.
• Represent CCPD at Events-Support and represent CCPD at career fairs and other career-related events.

Competency Alignment:

• Leadership: Take initiative and demonstrate leadership skills by representing the department at various events.

• Global & Intercultural Fluency: Engage with a diverse audience and provide inclusive support.

Attend Training and Team Meetings- Participate in scheduled team training and weekly meetings.

Competency Alignment:

• Professionalism/Work Ethic: Show commitment to personal and professional growth through active participation in training and meetings.

• Self-Management: Apply time management skills to balance training, meetings, and other responsibilities

Support Office Projects and Additional Duties

Required Attributes:

Desire to Lead: Demonstrates initiative and leadership potential.

• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for engaging with students and staff.
• Self-Motivated: Exhibits strong work ethic and time management abilities.
• Professional Judgment: Exercises maturity and professional judgment in all tasks.
• Team Player: Works effectively as part of a team.
• Tech-Savvy: Open to learning and utilizing technology, such as Handshake.

Learning Objectives:

• Career Peers will provide clear and constructive feedback on professional documents and engage in meaningful one-on-one interactions with students, demonstrating effective verbal communication. NACE Competency: Oral/Written Communication
• Career Peers will consistently exhibit punctuality, professional demeanor, and adherence to ethical guidelines during all interactions at the center. NACE Competency: Professionalism/Work Ethic
• Career Peers will apply critical thinking to review and critique students' resumes, cover letters, and CVs, ensuring alignment with best practices, industry standards and career goals. NACE Competency: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
• Career Peers will instruct students on the effective use of the Handshake platform and support them in managing their career profiles and platform usage. NACE Competency: Digital Technology
• Career Peers will participate in career-related events or initiatives and work collaboratively with team members on projects, events and other resources at the center. NACE Competency: Leadership, Teamwork/Collaboration
• Career Peers will engage inclusively with a diverse student population, ensuring cultural sensitivity in all career development services. NACE Competency: Global/Intercultural Fluency
• Career Peers will collaborate with their supervisor and other career center professionals to develop their own career strategies and professional documents, aligning them with industry trends and personal career goals, as demonstrated through reflective discussions and progress reviews. NACE Competency: Career Management