Position Summary

The Professional Development & Industry Relations Specialist is responsible for providing, establishing, and building relationships with business alumni and industry professionals with a focus on internship/job opportunity development for both the business undergraduate and graduate student populations. It serves as a lead for Fowler students, particularly those in the Graduate Business Programs, and alumni concentrating on creating professional development programs and workshops, providing services and related resources to address the diverse needs of Fowler students, and supports these students in meeting their professional career goals.

This position manages employer engagement within the Career Management Center and works closely with the CMC team to inform them of internships/job opportunities available to business students. This role helps keep the department and institution current on workforce development trends and industry needs.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Work hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Career Management Center (CMC) within the FCB provides career and professional development services for students in the Fowler College of Business. Activities within the CMC include, but are not limited to, career coaching, the development and implementation of specific activities to improve job market success of students, and development and implementation of regular events to permit employers and students to interact. A critical component of the CMC as a unit is to develop an extensive list of employers and alumni and to cultivate a relationship with other career-related agencies within the university, region, and nation to improve the development and employment opportunities of students upon graduation. The CMC is also responsible for designing metrics to assess its success and to design and implement a constant improvement system.

For more information regarding the Career Management Center, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field; including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related. Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required.

A Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrates ability to manage student and employer events, such as keynote speaker and panel discussions, and networking programs.
• Demonstrate ability to research industries, occupations, career path development, and student development within higher education.
• Experience developing and delivering high-quality presentations, workshops, and other career-focused programming.
• Demonstrates ability to provide career development-focused coaching to students in higher education, and alumni of higher education institutions.
• Professional experience working within the business field in either higher education or in related industries.
• Demonstrates ability to establish and cultivate relationships with current, potential and targeted employers with a focus on creating opportunities for business majors through various outreach efforts including site visits, conferences, and networking events is preferred.
• Master’s degree in counseling, human resources, business, management, education, or related field is preferred.
• Familiarity with career development theory that includes career exploration, employment preparation, and job retention is preferred.
• Direct experience in researching/managing solutions to address the challenges of engaging under-represented college student populations in career development and university recruiting is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the local area, job market/economy, workforce, and economic development concepts, practices, and trends is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,276 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,276 - $7,517 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.  For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on July 8, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by July 7, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at lpeeples@sdsu.edu.