Associate Director - Career & Experiential Learning (Engineering) at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN

Job description

Position Summary: The Associate Director of Career & Experiential Learning for Engineering & Technology leads the development and delivery of pathway-based career and experiential learning support for students pursuing careers across engineering, technology, computing, data science, and related technical fields. Working in close partnership with the School of Engineering and Career Advancement & Engagement, the Associate Director integrates career coaching, experiential learning, faculty and academic engagement, and industry knowledge into a cohesive student experience. The position helps students understand the breadth of career possibilities available to them, develop industry-relevant skills and experiences, and progress intentionally from early exploration through internships and full-time employment. The Associate Director serves as a primary bridge between Career Advancement & Engagement and the School of Engineering, partnering with faculty, academic advisers, departments, alumni, employers, and student organizations to reduce fragmentation and create a more coordinated career-development experience for engineering students. A particular emphasis of the role is integrating career development and experiential learning earlier in the student journey. The Associate Director will help students use projects, research, employer engagement, internships, and other experiences to explore career possibilities, develop professional capabilities, and make informed career decisions well before graduation. Key Functions and Expected Performance: Engineering & Technology Pathway Development Lead the development and execution of career pathways supporting students across engineering, technology, computing, data science, and related technical fields. Develop pathway-specific career preparation strategies reflecting the different professional opportunities associated with Vanderbilt's engineering disciplines. Help students understand both traditional engineering careers and emerging opportunities in technology, product development, AI, entrepreneurship, consulting, and other fields employing technical talent. Monitor industry trends, recruiting practices, emerging occupations, and skill requirements and translate these developments into student preparation. Partner with academic departments to clarify career possibilities and strengthen connections between academic preparation and professional outcomes. Career Coaching & Student Development Provide high-level individual and group coaching to undergraduate and graduate engineering students. Help students explore career possibilities, articulate interests and goals, and develop intentional plans for gaining relevant experience. Support students in translating technical coursework, research, projects, leadership, and other experiences into compelling professional narratives. Prepare students for technical and behavioral interviewing, networking, recruiting processes, and other industry-specific expectations. Develop milestone-based programming that helps students progress from exploration through experiential learning, internship attainment, and full-time placement. Work particularly closely with students in disciplines where career pathways may be less visible or recruiting pipelines less established. Experiential Learning Integration Integrate experiential learning into engineering career development beginning early in the student lifecycle. Partner with faculty, academic programs, employers, alumni, and Career Advancement & Engagement colleagues to connect students with internships, projects, research, employer challenges, hackathons, company visits, and other applied experiences. Help students use experiential learning as a means of testing possible career directions and developing industry-relevant capabilities. Connect existing School of Engineering experiential opportunities to broader career development pathways. Collaborate closely with the Associate Director for Employer & Industr