Job Information
University of Pennsylvania Career Counselor, Office of Career Strategy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Career Counselor, Office of Career Strategy
Job Profile Title
Associate Director C, Student Services, Advising
Job Description Summary
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished law schools. We offer a distinctive cross-disciplinary legal education, drawing on the depth and breadth of the University of Pennsylvania, and a supportive intellectual community for our scholars and students alike. The Office of Career Strategy is dedicated to helping students understand their professional goals and interests, learn about the exciting world of possibilities, chart their career paths and achieve their goals – during law school and throughout their professional lifetime.
Reporting to the Director of Career Counseling, the Career Counselor provides generalist career support to Penn Carey Law students and alumni through individual counseling, group programming, resources, events, and document review. The Career Counselor serves as primary contact and career counselor for alumni seeking career services from the Office of Career Strategy.
This is a regular full-time position and is hybrid work eligible.
Job Description
Responsibilities include:
Provide career counseling and support the development and delivery of career education and professionalism programs for JD students.
Provide career counseling and job search support to JD students pursuing a variety of career paths, including public interest, government, and private sector careers.
Review and provide feedback on application materials, including resumes, cover letters, and personal statements. Conduct mock interviews.
Working in collaboration with the Office of Career Strategy team, support the development and delivery of career education and professionalism p r o g ra mming across all sectors.
Serve as primary contact and career counselor for Penn Carey Law alumni seeking career services support from the Office of Career Strategy.
Provide individual career counseling and job search support to Penn Carey Law alumni.
Serve as first point of contact for alumni career advising. When appropriate, facilitate connections between alumni and other Office of Career Strategy career counselors whose expertise may enhance job search support.
Review alumni application materials, including resumes and cover letters. Conduct alumni mock interviews.
Develop career resources and programming geared toward an alumni audience.
Collaborate with Law School colleagues, including within Development and Alumni Relations.
Provide career support to Penn Carey Law LLM students.
Review and provide feedback on resumes for Penn Carey Law LLM students.
Conduct mock interviews for Penn Carey Law LLM students.
Provide support for the Director of LLM Counseling and International Careers during the academic year on targeted LLM career programming.
Develop, update, and maintain Office of Career Strategy educational resources.
Create, edit, update, and maintain career development and professionalism resources, including resume and cover letter guides, interviewing and networking materials, professional identity development resources, and other information maintained on the Office of Career Strategy website and Canvas Courses.
Monitor industry trends, conduct market research, collect student and employer feedback, and incorporate findings into educational resources.
Other duties as assigned.
Candidate Qualifications:
B.A./B.S. required; J.D. strongly preferred.
At least two years of legal work experience or other relevant professional experience in a legal organization, academic institution, law firm and/or business environment.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including comfort in making group presentations.
Familiarity with Microsoft office suite and survey tools preferred.
Commitment to innovation, fostering a kind and supportive work environment, and the Penn Carey Law ideal of collaboration is required.
A cover letter is required with job application.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Law School
Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $100,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.