Career & Experiential Learning Advisor - Technology and Engineering Pathways

Position Summary:

The Career & Experiential Learning Advisor for Technology & Engineering Pathways supports students pursuing careers across technology, engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, product management, and related innovation-driven fields. This role integrates career advising, experiential learning development, employer engagement, and industry-connected programming into a coordinated student experience designed to improve readiness, engagement, and placement outcomes.

Unlike a traditional career advising role, this position places significant emphasis on the development and coordination of experiential learning opportunities, including industry projects, internships, hackathons, employer-sponsored experiences, startup engagement, and technical portfolio development.

The Advisor works closely with pathway leadership, employers, alumni, faculty, and campus partners to help students build technical and professional competencies aligned with rapidly evolving technology and engineering industries. This role also supports the use of AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to improve student engagement, advising scalability, and career readiness.

About the Work Unit:

Career Advancement and Engagement (CAE) connects Vanderbilt students with meaningful career opportunities through advising, experiential learning, employer partnerships, and industry engagement. The division is transitioning to a pathway-based model that integrates career advising, experiential learning, and employer engagement across key industries.

Within this structure, pathway teams support students through milestone-based preparation models that connect academic experience, experiential learning, employer engagement, and career readiness. Technology & Engineering Pathways focus on preparing students for careers in software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, product management, and emerging technology sectors.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Career Advising & Student Development

• Provide pathway-specific advising and coaching to students pursuing technology and engineering careers 
• Support students in identifying career pathways aligned with technical interests, strengths, and evolving workforce opportunities 
• Help students develop technical portfolios, resumes, project narratives, and professional readiness 
• Guide students through recruiting timelines, technical interviewing preparation, and pathway milestones 

Experiential Learning Development

• Develop and coordinate experiential learning opportunities aligned with technology and engineering pathways 
• Support creation of employer-connected projects, hackathons, startup experiences, technical treks, and experiential programming 
• Help students translate technical and project-based experiences into marketable skills and career outcomes 
• Collaborate with faculty, employers, and innovation partners to expand hands-on learning opportunities 

Employer & Industry Engagement

• Partner with Employer Relations and pathway leadership to support employer engagement and recruiting efforts 
• Build relationships with technology companies, startups, engineering organizations, and innovation-focused employers 
• Assist in connecting students with mentors, alumni, and industry professionals 
• Support pathway-specific employer events, networking opportunities, and technical career programming 

Technology, AI & Innovation Integration

• Utilize AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to improve advising, communication, and student engagement 
• Support development of scalable digital resources and technology-enhanced student experiences 
• Stay informed on emerging workforce trends, AI developments, and technology industry changes 
• Help students understand how AI and technological disruption are reshaping industries and careers 

Data, Outcomes & Continuous Improvement

• Track student engagement, experiential learning participation, and pathway progression 
• Support reporting related to internships, placement outcomes, and employer engagement 
• Identify opportunities to improve student readiness, access, and engagement 
• Contribute to ongoing refinement of pathway strategy and experiential learning models  

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility but may oversee student workers, peer mentors, or pathway-related project participants.

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director for Technology & Engineering Career Pathways

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• Degree in engineering, computer science, information systems, technology, business, or related field preferred 
• Master’s degree in higher education, engineering, technology, business, or related field preferred 

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in technology, engineering, product management, data science, innovation, higher education, experiential learning, or related fields required 

• Experience working in or directly with technology or engineering industries strongly preferred 

• Demonstrated experience developing experiential learning, project-based learning, or industry-connected student programming preferred 
• Experience using AI-enabled tools and technology platforms in professional or educational settings required 
• Strong understanding of technology recruiting, technical career pathways, and emerging workforce trends preferred 
• Strong advising, coaching, communication, and relationship-building skills required 
• Ability to collaborate effectively across employers, faculty, students, and campus partners 
• Familiarity with career management systems, CRM tools, and digital engagement platforms preferred.