Peer Leader: Student Career Assistant (Career Center)

The Peer Leader Program serves to synthesize the work of these 11 offices into one developmental experience for students’ current and prospective aspirations. These roles not only allow students the platform to work with staff to create programming, resources, and peer support for the campus community but also offer students opportunities to think critically about and commit diligently to their own development and skill attainment. 

The Career Center helps students explore the wide range of opportunities available to them during their time at Carleton and as they prepare for life after graduation. Student Career Assistants (SCAs) play an integral role in this process.

Student Career Assistants play a key role in supporting various teams within the Career Center. The six teams include peer career coaching, communications, front desk, assessment and evaluation, data analysis and reporting, and operations.

The following teams are hiring for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Assessment and Evaluation Intern

1. Assist the Career Center Director with collecting, analyzing, and using data to review the effectiveness of the Career Center’s programs and support student learning
2. Have an interest in student learning data and assessment, and the ability to manage confidential information.
3. Experienced with Microsoft Excel for data clearing and reporting required (sorting, functions, pivot tables, etc.). Advanced statistical analysis skills are welcome.
4. Interest in storytelling with data is a plus. Interns may use data to write persuasively for both students and external audiences.

Communications and Marketing Intern

1. Write, proofread, and publish engaging content across marketing materials, newsletters, and web pages to ensure accuracy and brand consistency.
2. Partner with the position’s supervisor to coordinate and produce content for all platforms, including Instagram, Handshake, email, and campus signage.
3. Create compelling digital and print assets to promote Career Center resources, programs, and services.
4. Work with student and professional staff to develop creative social media content and captions. 
5. Required Skills: Creative thinker and excellent communicator with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects on a deadline.
6. Preferred Skills:  Interest or experience in content creation, video editing, writing, or copyediting. 

Front Desk Intern

1. Interact with students, staff, prospective students & their families, faculty, and possibly employers. Assist with inquiries, troubleshoot issues, and offer solutions. 
2. Assist with appointment scheduling, managing meeting spaces, or handling administrative paperwork.
3. Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and maintain a professional and welcoming demeanor.
4. Have time management skills as you assist with handling phone calls, in-person inquiries, and administrative tasks.

Data Analysis and Reporting Intern

1. Collect, clean, and process data from various software sources (Handshake, surveys) and perform exploratory data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies in the data.
2. Assist in designing and developing data visualizations and translating findings into presentations and written reports to optimize data-driven content.
3. Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy in data collection and reporting.
4. Previous coursework, project, or work experience related to research or data analysis.
5. Familiarity with data analysis tools and programming languages (e.g., Excel, Python, R, SQL) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
6. Assistance with data entry.  

Employer Relations Intern

1. Working with Excel, Google Sheets, and other internal databases is integral to succeeding in this role. Intern will synthesize information of stakeholders (alumni, parents, and employers, etc) for program outreach, partnership development, and strategy building.
2. Do research and benchmarking projects to gather information for employer relations as we develop our team’s strategy work. 
3. Collaborate with the Program Director for Employer Relations to make strategic decisions about partnerships and source opportunities from organizations for relationship initiation.
4. Desired skills: detail-oriented, good communication skills, takes initiative, and asks questions.

Alumni Engagement Intern

1. Assist the Alumni and Parent Engagement team in researching ideal alumni for programming.
2. Work on career program logistics and attend programming events each term.
3. Working with Excel, Google Sheets, and other internal databases is integral to succeeding in this role. Intern will synthesize information of stakeholders (alumni, parents, etc) for program outreach, partnership development, and strategy building.
4. Do research and benchmarking projects to gather information for alumni relations as we develop our team’s strategy work. 
5. Desired skills: detail-oriented, good communication skills, takes initiative, and asks questions.

Peer Career Coach

1. Peer Career Coaches serve as a key point of contact for students visiting the Career Center. Peer Coaches are trained by the Career Center’s professional coaches on how to have effective peer-to-peer coaching conversations, share best practices, and guide students toward key resources.
2. Engage with students who come to the career center for assistance and create a welcoming and helpful environment. Provide clarity for students on how to engage with the Career Center.
3. Review résumés and cover letters of students. Share effective search strategies for internship and externship searches and tips for navigating networking and other career challenges.
4. Assist with Career Center projects, events, and programs as needed on an ongoing basis. Collaborate with the professional staff and other SCAs as needed on these projects.

NOTE: Due to the level of SCA responsibilities, SCAs must be able to attend all required training and are unable to split their hours/hold other on-campus employment while employed with the Career Center to be considered for employment. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Upload and submit a cover letter and résumé. Your cover letter should address the following:

• Which positions are you applying for? What aspects of the role are you most eager to contribute to?
• Describe a time you took initiative on a project or led a team. What did you learn from that experience? What skills did you demonstrate?
• What excites you about joining the Career Center team? What involvement have you had with the Career Center?

Cover Letters should be addressed to:

SCA Supervisors
Carleton College Career Center, Johnson House
1 North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057

Application Resources

We recommend that applicants make an appointment or visit SCA drop-in hours to review application materials before submitting. Appointments can be made with an SCA or a career coach via Handshake.

Carleton is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation regarding this position, email OAR@carleton.edu, contact Sam Thayer (sthayer@carleton.edu, phone number: 507-222-4464) or Elijah Genheimer (egenheimer@carleton.edu, phone number: 507-222-4500).

By submitting the Peer Leader application, you acknowledge that there will be a review of your student records for any misconduct/policy violations more serious in nature. Contact Amy Sillanpa, Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Community Standards, at asillanp@carleton.edu with any questions.

QUESTIONS

Contact: Sarah Rechtzigel or Karen Eilers