Career Pathways Coach

About AdvanceEDU

AdvanceEDU is a Colorado-based nonprofit offering an innovative higher education model designed to improve economic mobility. Our students earn degrees from high-quality, nonprofit, accredited university partners in flexible, career-relevant programs. In addition to their degree programs, students receive personalized coaching, career connections, wrap-around support, funding opportunities for college, and access to a supportive co-learning community both in person and online.

As we continue to grow, AdvanceEDU is seeking an equity-minded and collaborative Career Pathways Coach to join our Programs Team. This role helps students explore career pathways, build industry-relevant skills, and prepare for meaningful employment after graduation, while building systems, processes, and career programming that support student success at scale.

Our learner community is beautifully diverse: ~85% first-generation college students, ~80% students of color, and ~35% caregiving learners. We value team members whose professional and personal experiences reflect and connect with the students we serve.

Role Overview

Career Pathway Coaches report to the Career Pathways Director and work closely with Success Coaches to ensure students are progressing toward both academic and career goals. Through one-on-one coaching, career readiness workshops, and outreach engagement, the Career Pathways Coach supports students in connecting their education to long-term career opportunities.

If you are passionate about supporting students, enjoy coaching and facilitating career conversations, and are energized by working in a growing and evolving organization, able to work a hybrid schedule with 2–3 days per week on campus in Colorado Springs or in the community, we encourage you to apply. This position has a target start date of mid-to-late August.

Responsibilities

Career Coaching and Student Support

• Provide individualized and group career coaching to help students explore career pathways aligned with their interests, strengths, academic programs, and long-term goals.
• Support students with career planning and job search preparation, including resume and cover letter development, networking, interview preparation, and professional branding.
• Help students build confidence, resilience, and professional communication skills as they navigate career exploration and workplace readiness.
• Help students identify, develop, and strengthen the skills needed for success in their target industries and career pathways.
• Build supportive relationships with students while maintaining high expectations and accountability toward academic and career goals.
• Communicate regularly with students through in-person and virtual meetings, phone calls, email, and text outreach to provide ongoing support and engagement.
• Build meaningful relationships with students through creative, persistent outreach and communication across multiple channels, helping students stay engaged and achieve their goals.
• Collaborate with Success Coaches and cross-functional teams to support students’ academic persistence, career readiness, and overall success.

Career Development and Skill Building

• Facilitate career development workshops and group learning experiences focused on career exploration, networking, internship and job search strategies, and professional skill development.
• Develop and deliver resources, tools, and learning experiences that support students’ career readiness, confidence, and professional growth.
• Support students in identifying and pursuing experiential learning opportunities such as internships, projects, networking events, and employer engagement opportunities.

Student Engagement and Programming

• Contribute to Programs Team initiatives that support student engagement, community building, career readiness, and workforce connections.
• Help foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive learning community that encourages student growth, persistence, and professional development.

Community Engagement

• Facilitate workshops, presentations, and career readiness sessions within the community.
• Support efforts to promote programs and career pathways to prospective students and partners.
• Build relationships with community organizations, employers, and partners to expand career opportunities for students.

Data Tracking and Continuous Improvement

• Track student engagement, participation, and career progress in CRM systems to monitor career milestones and employment outcomes.
• Use student feedback, testimonials, and data insights to improve coaching strategies, programming, and student experiences.
• Contribute ideas, feedback, and best practices to strengthen career services and student support systems across AdvanceEDU.

Competencies

AdvanceEDU Teamwide Competencies

• Equity and Anti-racism: We approach our work with a lens of equity and inclusion and embody our Commitment to Anti-racism in everything we do.
• Student Service Orientation: We center students in every decision and action.
• Collaboration and Team Support: We invest in relationships and support each other’s success.
• Continuous Improvement: We prioritize learning, growth, and adapting based on student needs.
• Giving and Receiving Feedback: We provide candid feedback with positive intent and actively seek input from others.
• Comfort with Ambiguity and Innovation: Thrives in a dynamic environment where processes and programs continue to evolve; demonstrates curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to test new ideas that improve student outcomes.

Position-Specific Competencies

• Setting the Bar: Accomplishes specific tasks and responsibilities within their expertise.
• Thriving in Ambiguity: Effectively copes with change and shifts gears comfortably, with a willingness and openness to change.
• Problem-Solving and Sense Making: Demonstrates the ability to solve challenges within their area of expertise.
• Strategic Planning: Contributes to team and organizational planning, drawing from lived and professional experience and centering the student experience.
• Making Sound Decisions: Considers the student experience and organizational goals when making decisions within their purview.
• Improving Systems: Improves systems where directed. Provides suggestions for systems improvements.
• Developing Team Members: Works to develop self toward strong growth.

Competencies Specific to Career Coaching

• Career Coaching and Advising: Ability to guide students through career exploration, goal-setting, and job search strategies.
• Facilitation: Confidence leading workshops, group sessions, and career development programming.
• Relationship Building: Interpersonal skills that foster trust with students and partners.
• Career Readiness Development: Ability to coach students on professional skills, current hiring and recruiting practices, and strategies for navigating the job search process with confidence.
• Data-Informed Coaching: Uses CRM systems and student data to guide outreach and measure impact.
• Creative Student Outreach: With care and compassion, uses multiple platforms and strategies to proactively engage students and help hold them accountable to reaching their goals.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in career coaching, advising, workforce development, or a related field.
• Experience supporting students, early-career professionals, or career changers with career exploration, job search preparation, and career readiness.
• Experience facilitating workshops, training sessions, group learning experiences, and/or classroom instruction; curriculum development experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with AI tools and technology that improve administrative efficiency and increase time available for direct student support.
• Understanding of the barriers that impact college persistence and career access for first-generation and historically underserved learners.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in counseling, education, human services, or a related field.
• Fluency in both Spanish and English is strongly preferred; the ability to coach, correspond, and build relationships in both languages is a meaningful asset in serving our students well.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $60,000–$67,000 with full benefits including:

• Company-sponsored health, vision, dental, and life insurance plans
• Company-sponsored 401k with 4% match
• Hybrid work arrangement
• Robust PTO and sick leave plus an extensive holiday schedule

This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote work with 2–3 days per week on campus or in the community to support student engagement, programming, and outreach activities. The Career Pathways Coach may also travel to other AdvanceEDU campuses throughout the state as needed to support program delivery. Strong preference for the candidate to be based primarily in Colorado Springs.

**To apply for this position, please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNa8Du7SW_xFDVrDtBuRoXpGoILTWsf3ihOr7JHHSAUk8f6A/viewform

AdvanceEDU is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.