Inside Higher Ed
Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist, Watson College
Inside Higher Ed, Binghamton, New York, United States
Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist, Watson College
Join to apply for the
Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist, Watson College
role at
Inside Higher Ed
6 days ago – Be among the first 25 applicants
Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character – shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life – promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.
Working at Binghamton University is more than having a great job – it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.
We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.
Job Description
Budget Title: Senior Staff Assistant (SL-3)
Salary: $58,000 or higher, commensurate with experience
The Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist in the Watson Career and Alumni Connections (WCAC) Office within the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences enhances professional development opportunities for students through various career-oriented initiatives, including student appointments, workshops, events, and targeted initiatives engaging Watson alumni. The Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist is responsible for creating opportunities for students to learn from alumni and for alumni to engage in meaningful ways with Watson College.
The Watson Career and Alumni Connections Office is dedicated to being the trusted career partner for students in engineering and the applied sciences. We place students at the center of all we do – providing expert guidance, exceptional support, and the tools they need to pursue meaningful careers in their chosen fields. Through strategic and impactful programming and consistent engagement with alumni and employers across diverse sectors, we foster lifelong relationships that expand opportunities, drive impact, and sustain our commitment to Watson student success.
Duties Of The Career And Alumni Engagement Specialist Include
Student Career Development
Meet with students in a 1:1 capacity to provide feedback on professional resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn/networking, interview preparation, job/internship search, and graduate school planning. Assist with graded curricular career assignments.
Alumni & Industry Engagement
Develop and execute an alumni engagement strategic plan, offering both in-person and virtual opportunities for student‑alumni connections.
Build and sustain relationships with alumni by creating opportunities for engagement with students (panels, roundtables, networking events, industry mock interviews, guest speakers, tech talks).
Collaborate with the WCAC Sr. Employer Relations Coordinator to promote and support employer recruitment initiatives, including programmatic aspects of the Watson Career Expo Conference, and joint opportunities to leverage alumni for student career development (jobs, internships, shadowing opportunities, short‑term projects).
Events & Networking
Serve as liaison with the Office of Alumni Engagement for initiatives such as Networking Nights (NYC, Boston, DC, Silicon Valley), Homecoming, and other annual events.
Plan and facilitate alumni networking receptions at targeted locations across the country.
Plan and execute programming and events for Watson Engineers Week, including the annual Alumni & Friends Reception.
Assessment & Data Analysis
Evaluate the effectiveness of alumni relations programs by collecting and analyzing data on participation, engagement, and outcomes. Use insights gained to identify strengths, address gaps, and implement strategies for continuous improvement and stronger alumni connections.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Minimum of three years of professional experience
Experience planning and organizing activities and special events
Effective oral and written communication skills with both internal and external constituents through phone, email, video conference platforms, and in-person
Effective presentation and facilitation skills
Effective customer service and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, including students, alumni, staff, faculty, and industry partners
Proactive, detail‑oriented, with organizational/time management skills
Ability to work both independently and within a team
Proficiency in analytical and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Canva, Google Workspace, Generative AI tools, and other common office software/technology)
Commitment to program innovation, assessment, and metrics‑based management
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and work some evenings or weekends
Preferred
Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education, Public Relations, Business Administration, Engineering or related)
Experience working with students in a higher education setting, such as career development, talent acquisition, recruiting, or Human Resources
Experience or background in a technical field with demonstrated proficiencies in data analytics and/or PowerBI
Experience working with alumni and/or donors
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, Binghamton University is not an E‑Verify employer.
Additional Information Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.
Binghamton University is a tobacco‑free campus.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.
Payroll information can be found on our website.
Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee".
Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.
Application Instructions All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=194040
Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.
Please Submit
Resume
Cover letter
Contact information for three professional references
You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist, Watson College
role at
Inside Higher Ed
6 days ago – Be among the first 25 applicants
Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character – shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life – promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.
Working at Binghamton University is more than having a great job – it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.
We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.
Job Description
Budget Title: Senior Staff Assistant (SL-3)
Salary: $58,000 or higher, commensurate with experience
The Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist in the Watson Career and Alumni Connections (WCAC) Office within the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences enhances professional development opportunities for students through various career-oriented initiatives, including student appointments, workshops, events, and targeted initiatives engaging Watson alumni. The Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist is responsible for creating opportunities for students to learn from alumni and for alumni to engage in meaningful ways with Watson College.
The Watson Career and Alumni Connections Office is dedicated to being the trusted career partner for students in engineering and the applied sciences. We place students at the center of all we do – providing expert guidance, exceptional support, and the tools they need to pursue meaningful careers in their chosen fields. Through strategic and impactful programming and consistent engagement with alumni and employers across diverse sectors, we foster lifelong relationships that expand opportunities, drive impact, and sustain our commitment to Watson student success.
Duties Of The Career And Alumni Engagement Specialist Include
Student Career Development
Meet with students in a 1:1 capacity to provide feedback on professional resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn/networking, interview preparation, job/internship search, and graduate school planning. Assist with graded curricular career assignments.
Alumni & Industry Engagement
Develop and execute an alumni engagement strategic plan, offering both in-person and virtual opportunities for student‑alumni connections.
Build and sustain relationships with alumni by creating opportunities for engagement with students (panels, roundtables, networking events, industry mock interviews, guest speakers, tech talks).
Collaborate with the WCAC Sr. Employer Relations Coordinator to promote and support employer recruitment initiatives, including programmatic aspects of the Watson Career Expo Conference, and joint opportunities to leverage alumni for student career development (jobs, internships, shadowing opportunities, short‑term projects).
Events & Networking
Serve as liaison with the Office of Alumni Engagement for initiatives such as Networking Nights (NYC, Boston, DC, Silicon Valley), Homecoming, and other annual events.
Plan and facilitate alumni networking receptions at targeted locations across the country.
Plan and execute programming and events for Watson Engineers Week, including the annual Alumni & Friends Reception.
Assessment & Data Analysis
Evaluate the effectiveness of alumni relations programs by collecting and analyzing data on participation, engagement, and outcomes. Use insights gained to identify strengths, address gaps, and implement strategies for continuous improvement and stronger alumni connections.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Minimum of three years of professional experience
Experience planning and organizing activities and special events
Effective oral and written communication skills with both internal and external constituents through phone, email, video conference platforms, and in-person
Effective presentation and facilitation skills
Effective customer service and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, including students, alumni, staff, faculty, and industry partners
Proactive, detail‑oriented, with organizational/time management skills
Ability to work both independently and within a team
Proficiency in analytical and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Canva, Google Workspace, Generative AI tools, and other common office software/technology)
Commitment to program innovation, assessment, and metrics‑based management
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and work some evenings or weekends
Preferred
Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education, Public Relations, Business Administration, Engineering or related)
Experience working with students in a higher education setting, such as career development, talent acquisition, recruiting, or Human Resources
Experience or background in a technical field with demonstrated proficiencies in data analytics and/or PowerBI
Experience working with alumni and/or donors
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, Binghamton University is not an E‑Verify employer.
Additional Information Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.
Binghamton University is a tobacco‑free campus.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.
Payroll information can be found on our website.
Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee".
Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.
Application Instructions All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=194040
Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.
Please Submit
Resume
Cover letter
Contact information for three professional references
You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.
#J-18808-Ljbffr