Purpose of the role: The University and Career Guidance Counselor serves as the primary anchor for student pathway planning, supporting students through curriculum guidance, experiential learning, internships, and post-secondary transitions. The role builds strong, trusted relationships to align university pathways with each student’s academic profile, interests, and strengths, while also maintaining continuity of support through structured post-graduation follow-up.
Job Description i) Internship Development Collaborate with local businesses and organisations to develop internship opportunities across various professions for students. Working closely with students to understand their interests, career goals, and learning objectives, and then matching them with appropriate internship placements. This may involve assessing students' strengths, skills, and preferences to ensure a good fit between the student and the internship opportunity.
Providing ongoing support and mentorship to students during their internship experiences. This could include regular check-ins, site visits, and feedback sessions to ensure students are meeting their learning objectives and addressing any challenges they may encounter during the internship. Creating promotional materials and marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the school's internship program among students, parents, and the wider community. This could involve organizing informational sessions, creating brochures or flyers, and utilizing social media platforms to showcase success stories and highlight the benefits of participating in internships. Collaborating with the secondary leadership team to integrate internship experiences into the school's academic curriculum. This may involve developing internship-related assignments, projects, or reflections to ensure students gain maximum educational value from their internship experiences.
ii) University Applications Assist students in navigating the application process for both local and international universities, utilising tools such as Unifrog for streamlined guidance. Offer personalised guidance on selecting suitable universities and programs based on individual interests and goals. Provide support with application documentation, including transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, and portfolios.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of admission requirements, application deadlines, and trends in higher education both domestically and internationally. Support students in preparing for standardised tests such as the SAT, IELTS, and other exams for medical students such as UCAT by providing resources and strategies for success. Keep accurate records of students' academic progress, extracurricular involvement, achievements, and any awards received from the Department of Education (DOE) to include in university applications.
iii) MOU Promotion & Expansion Educate students and parents about existing MOU’s with partner universities and the opportunities available to them. Continuously promote and expand awareness of MOU’s to ensure students make informed decisions regarding higher education choices.
Foster relationships with partner universities to enhance collaboration and student opportunities. Identify potential new partnerships with universities to broaden students options for higher education. Negotiate and establish new MOU’s with universities to expand opportunities for student enrollment and collaboration.
iv) Student Support Provide personalised guidance and counselling to students in creating portfolios, crafting portfolios, crafting personal statements, and preparing for university interviews. Meet with early secondary students to assess their aspirations and facilitate career guidance, experiential learning opportunities aligned with their interests. Organise and conduct college application workshops, informational sessions, and mock interviews customised for different faculties, delivering specialised guidance and support pertinent to students' chosen fields of study.
Stay informed about career pathways and job market trends to provide guidance and advice to students exploring alternative post-secondary options. Collaborate with the school leadership team to develop and implement initiatives aimed at enhancing students' university readiness and career preparedness. Coordinate with university representatives and admissions officers to arrange campus visits, interviews, and information sessions for students.
Keep accurate records of students' academic progress and extracurricular involvement, including any awards received from the Department of Education (DOE) since their early secondary years. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with students and parents to discuss the university pathway.
v) Primary Student Pathways Anchor Serve as the first point of contact for primary student pathway planning. Support students and families in making informed curriculum choices aligned with interests and strengths. Integrate academic progress with character development and behaviour expectations. Coordinate experiential learning opportunities that enhance student growth and engagement. Ensure future pathway considerations meaningfully reinforce each student’s academic and personal profile.
vi) Continuity from School to University Maintain an ongoing advisory relationship with students beyond graduation, providing structured guidance, checkpoints, and shared insights during the initial university transition period to support retention, adjustment, and long-term success.
vii) Alumni Insight and CRM Stewardship Develop and maintain detailed longitudinal student profiles within the CRM, enabling informed handover to Alumni Relations and Marketing teams, supporting alumni engagement, institutional storytelling, and future partnership development.
Accountability Overview: The University Counsellor is accountable for: The quality and effectiveness of university and post-secondary guidance provided to students and families. Successful placement of students into appropriate universities, programmes, internships, or alternative pathways.
Development and sustainability of internship programmes and university partnerships. Accuracy and timeliness of application processes, documentation, and student records. Student preparedness, confidence, and satisfaction regarding post-secondary planning. Contribution to whole-school initiatives related to career readiness and future pathways.
Key Performance Indicator (KPI): i) Student Placement Outcomes: Percentage of students receiving university offers aligned with their academic profile and aspirations. ii) Application Quality and Timeliness: On-time submission rate of university applications with minimal errors or revisions required.
iii) Internship Programme Impact: Number, quality, and diversity of internship placements secured annually, with positive student feedback. iv) Partnership Growth and Engagement: Expansion and effective utilisation of MOUs and external university partnerships.
v) Student and Parent Satisfaction: Positive feedback from students and parents regarding guidance, communication, and support. vi) Future Readiness and Engagement: Evidence of improved student preparedness through workshops, interviews, portfolios, and career planning milestones.