Academic and Career Exploration (ACE) Coach - Student Success - UTK

The Academic and Career Exploration (ACE) Coach's primary responsibility is to provide holistic academic advising and career support to students in the university exploratory and transition programs. Through individual appointments, classroom instruction, and program delivery, this position assists students with curricular planning and the creation of academic and career goals, and provides opportunities to explore industries of interest.

Academic Advising and Career Coaching:

- Serve as advisor of record and conduct individual academic advising appointments for students in university exploratory (students who are undecided) and university transition programs (students who are decided and ineligible for intended majors).

- Develop and maintain knowledge of UT's advising model, curriculum, and academic policies

- Utilize technology that supports practice such as Banner, DARS, Salesforce, Handshake

- Conduct individual exploration appointments for students who seek to choose or change majors.

- Facilitate group career coaching sessions for exploratory students.

- Interpret assessments (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, CliftonStrengths, PathwayU) for individuals and groups.

Career Programming and Education:

- Create, implement, and assess effectiveness of experiential learning programs such as major fairs, VolTreks, and Career Conversations to help students gain exposure to careers and industries.

- Support Exploring Majors and Careers courses through curricular planning and teaching.

- Facilitate career programming for First Year Studies 101 and Transition 201 classes.

- Develop and deliver major and career exploration programs for classes, organizations, and departments by request.

- Support retention and graduation goals through collaboration with campus colleagues.

- Represent the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration at orientation, welcome week, and admissions, programs.

Departmental Initiatives and Professional Development:

- Assist in maintaining "What Can I Do With This Major?" website through research and updates.

- Assist with departmental activities, events, and programs that align with the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration's mission, including career fairs, first destination data collection, and other major initiatives.

- Participate in professional development activities to maintain knowledge of emerging trends in advising and career development.

- Participate in various local, state, regional, and national organizations such as NACADA and NCDA.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree with one year of relevant experience or master's degree with no experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Strong interpersonal skills, including oral, written, and listening communication capabilities
• Skills to develop and implement engaging major and career exploration programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
• Master’s Degree
  • Developed skills in counseling, coaching, and advising
• Experience:
  • Career coaching or academic advising experience
  • Knowledge of career advising theories
  • Interpretation of B-level psychological assessments (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Knowledge of curriculum, academic policies, and how majors relate to careers
• Knowledge of developmental needs of college students

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR08
• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $49,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!