Career Advisor & Program Assistant (Spring 2025)At — YWCA of Orange County

The Career Advisor provides clients 15 - 30+years of age seeking employment individual assistance in learning a range of job search skills and techniques. Clients  will learn about online job searching, job boards, resume development, interviewing techniques and mock interview practice. Career Advisors conduct noontime outreach tabling and conduct YES Job Readiness workshops during classes and after school. They offer information about optional career pathways including community training programs, educational options to obtain technical certification or degrees in preparation for professional careers.  

Career Advisors and Program Assistants participate in outreach activities with local businesses and employers, high school and post-secondary educational programs, and community agencies/programs in order to have up to date information on employment trends, the availability of social  services and educational/training options. 

Additional opportunities exist for participation in YWCA of OC activities as Program Assistants in YWCA OC core areas including Social Media, Website Maintenance, Newsletter Development, Marketing, Event Planning/Implementation, Fundraising, DEI awareness activities and special research assignments. 

This is a position is \\hybrid\\ but primarily delivered in-person at designated high schools and/or virtual depending upon COVID and CSU health and public safety regulations.

Meet with clients spanning in age from 13 - 30+and assist them in learning a range of job search skills and techniques

Network with employers by communicating regularly by phone and email to identify open jobs. Gather information for Job Alerts about position (pay rates, classification, benefits, duration of appointment. etc.). Survey employers and update the Employer Database. Collaborate with resource agencies in hosting job fairs and/or participating in community resource fairs.

Design Job Alerts on Canva and post vacancy/Job Alerts on Instagram.

Network with community agencies on behalf of the organization through phone, email, Zoom and in-person meetings.

Research and use social media platforms for outreach purposes. Post program activity notices/messages/job skills and interviewing tutorials to promote YWCA OC AND YES services and activities. Write articles for the newsletter or educational posts on social media about our programs and upcoming events.

Maintain records of client contact, daily activities, complete forms, and assist in collecting data for grant reports and program progress updates for Board of Directors.

Attend weekly Intern meetings to discuss individual and/or team assignments, client/employer/agency contacts, and solicit feedback or assistance on programmatic issues/concerns. Attend staff development sessions.

Training:
All interns are provided individual in-depth orientation to the policies, procedures of the YWCA of Orange County and specific duties of a YES Career Advisors and Program Assistants. Training occurs during the first two weeks of the internship and continues as on-the-job mentoring sessions throughout the academic term. Interns attend weekly meetings to discuss individual and/or team assignments, client/employer/agency contacts, and to solicit feedback or assistance on programmatic issues/concerns. Several YWCA USA webinars and community network meetings are scheduled as staff development. Interns are required to write and submit an essay about the learning obtaining from the program content of each presentation.

Learning Outcomes:

All the practical learning experiences below will enable the student to be better prepared for future positions in human/social services and educational environments:
The student will learn through observation and participation in meetings organizational skills, agency policy and procedures.
Through the updating of client files to document activities and progress the student will be able to write and understand the importance of case notes.
As work issues arise and are worked through with the aide of supervision the student will learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills as well as how to collaborate and increase assertive verbalization with coworkers.
Moreover the student will learn when to ask for direction.