PDE Career Program Assistant for Masters Students- GSSA for Fall 2026

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume. The letter should address your specific interest in and fit with this GSSA position. Please include your University Department/Program affiliation and year in graduate studies.

Job Summary

This position works with Rackham's Professional Development and Engagement and University Career Center (UCC) Teams to assist with the development of programs and resources aimed at supporting Rackham Master's students. The role reports to Rackham's embedded UCC Career Counselor for Graduate Students, with support from the Rackham/UCC Assistant Director for Graduate Student Career Advancement and Rackham's Assistant Director for Experiential Learning. The role will be shaped in consultation with the selected candidate around the areas and needs below:

In alignment with Rackham's strategic priority of supporting the holistic success of Master's students, the GSSA will:

• assist with design, implementation, facilitation, and evaluation of career development programs and resources tailored for masters student population (this could range from workshops to exploration of micro credentialing for career readiness competencies to alumni engagement or asynchronous resources on Canvas).
• collaborate with staff to implement career support recommendations from needs assessment
• regularly assist with needs assessment and program evaluation, including data analysis to glean recommendations for improvements and future programs.
• Participate in Rackham Master's Initiative working group, develop and execute workshops and projects based on direction, needs, and input from the committee.

This GSSA position is ideal for those who are interested in needs assessment, program development, implementation, higher education administration, career development, career coaching, outreach, and career diversity for Master's programs. Because we are committed to diversity, we aspire to develop and nurture the individual and collective skills to recognize, celebrate, and deploy difference as a path to engagement, innovation, and the generation of new ideas and knowledge.

Appointment Period: Fall 2026 (This position is for one term with renewal contingent upon completion of performance expectations and available funding).

Estimated FTE: 50% (20 hours per week)

Compensation: This appointment provides tuition, required fees, stipend (at the GEO negotiated GSSA monthly rate), GradCare health insurance, and dental insurance (Option 1).

Number of applicants from last academic year: 43

Course Description

This position works with Rackham's Professional Development and Engagement and University Career Center (UCC) Teams to assist with the development of programs and resources aimed at supporting Rackham Master's students.

Responsibilities*

• Plan and implement workshops and career development programs for Rackham Master's students aligned with student career development needs and the mission of the Rackham Professional Development & Engagement team and University Career Center, on topics including master's specific resume labs, evaluating if a PhD is right after a masters degree, and making the most of conferences.
• Provide 1:1 career coaching to Rackham Master's students on topics such as resumes, interviewing, career exploration, job searching, and networking
• Conduct benchmarking research regarding supports offered by UM schools and colleges and peer institutions for Master's students, and master's student career outcomes
• Compile and organize content for biweekly Master's student newsletter.
• Contribute to on-going qualitative research, evaluation, and analysis of program data. Analyze and write concise summaries of program evaluation data to demonstrate impact, effectiveness, and areas for improvement.
• Compile workshop program data for institutional records and reporting purposes
• Update content for workshop slides and materials as needed for programs.
• Support workshop logistics (attendance, room or Zoom setup and logistics, etc); track required workshop/program paperwork and data.
• Develop website and asynchronous resources for websites and Canvas to support master's student career development
• Collaborate with UCC team to build meaningful employer engagement opportunities for master?s students

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities.

NOTE: SOME FLEXIBILITY OF SCHEDULED WORK HOURS IS REQUIRED, INCLUDING EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS ON A PRIOR SCHEDULED BASIS.

Required Qualifications*

Applicants must be currently registered in a Rackham graduate program. Preference will be given to doctoral students who have reached candidacy. Students who are unsure if they are in a Rackham graduate program should check their graduate program listing in

• Strong background knowledge of career and professional development, needs assessment, and program facilitation and management.
• Experience with some or all of the following: workshop and instructional design, workshop facilitation, program evaluation, coaching and advising.
• Ability to handle multiple, overlapping projects and tasks
• Ability to collaborate effectively on a team
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work and communicate effectively and professionally with the University community
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, as the task requires

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with managing programs or conferences, instructional design and/or curriculum development and delivery.
• Familiarity and experience with direct service provision in the area of career and professional development, or related area.
• Experience with issues in graduate education, student development, leadership development, and diversity issues in higher education
• An understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented populations in higher education, including international students and other marginalized identities.
• Project and program management experience
• Previous experience developing professional development resource materials
• Experience facilitating professional development programs and group conversations.

How You'll Grow

The GSSA position will strengthen professional competencies in the following areas:

• Develop and manage career development programs (e.g., workshops, resume labs) in a higher education setting.
• Develop knowledge of career outcomes, needs, and paths of Master's level graduate students.
• Gain experience facilitating workshops and/or focus groups.
• Gain knowledge/conduct benchmarking re: best practices in Master's level graduate student success
• Build coaching and advising skills and awareness of best practices
• Collaboration in higher education environments
• Best practices in graduate student success
• Community-building in higher education environments
• Student should be able to present a proposal/paper regarding their experience at a local/regional conference in their field.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to rack-prof-dev @[email protected]. Applicants may request the status of their application from the appointing unit.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for selected candidate; the selected candidate will also be required to submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting their acceptance of this position before hire is finalized.

Kirsten Elling, Assistant Director for Graduate Student Career Advancement and Anna Wagner, Graduate Student Career Counselor are leading this search.

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by March 6, 2026 .

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for selected candidate; the selected candidate will also be required to submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting their acceptance of this position before hire is finalized.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at and for the University Ombuds at

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Opening ID

273065

Working Title

PDE Career Program Assistant for Masters Students- GSSA for Fall 2026

Job Title

GRAD STU STAFF ASST

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Rackham Grad School

Department

Rackham Prof Dev & Engmnt

Posting Begin/End Date

1/19/2026 - 2/02/2026

Career Interest

Graduate Students
Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GEO)