Careers and University Guidance Counsellor

EtonHouse Orchard is seeking an experienced Careers & University Guidance Counsellor from August 2022. 

Recent experience of supporting students applying for admission to universities in North America, Australia, the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and Asia is essential. Familiarity with financial aid needs and scholarship applications would be a benefit. 

The ideal candidate would have experience of developing and implementing a whole school careers programme to include Gatsby benchmarks; including both learning experiences both on and off campus.

The successful applicant will join a growing school with a team of educators dedicated to ensuring success for students and receive marketing support from the main schools group.  The successful candidate can look forward to supporting and mentoring a diverse but small group of students who are both enthusiastic and talented.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure that students and parents/guardians receive guidance, information and advocacy through the university or college application process worldwide

• Manage a caseload of less than 50 students across years 12 & 13 and support them in their process of planning, researching and short-listing universities, ensuring a focus on choosing  the “best fit” options based on individual personality, ambitions and learning preferences.

• Support students in their transition from Year 11 to 12 and new joiners to Year 12 with guidance on IB subject selection based on their future aspirations in partnership with the IB DP Coordinator.

• Explore and recommend financial aid and scholarship opportunities worldwide.

• Work effectively with the EtonHouse team, IB DP Coordinator, Head of Secondary, Counsellor and Principal on the overall wellbeing and welfare of students

Administration and Communication

• Run information sessions for students, parents, and staff about university systems, procedures and deadlines worldwide,as well as contribute to assemblies, workshops and presentations to share information and guidance

• Provide individual and continual feedback on drafts of students’ personal statements/essays 

• Coordinate the collection of references for university applicants 

• Increase the understanding of all teaching staff of the university application process, especially in their roles as mentors and reference writers.

• Have familiarity with the main platforms for US and UK university applications

• Monitor university applications, including processing school-issued support documents, following up with university representatives and keeping families up to date regularly

• Contribute communications through newsletters and university information opportunities, to relay deadlines, and other timely information.

• Support graduating students as required during summer holidays through the release of IB DP results.

• Network within the EtonHouse group regarding final destinations of graduating students

• Ensure a current working knowledge of university-related matters, careers and aptitude exploration resources

• Relationships with Universities and Organisations

• Coordinate visits (virtual and face-to-face when possible) from universities throughout the school academic year.

• Communicate proactively with universities and colleges internationally, promoting our students and EtonHouse as a group

• Attend major international admissions and guidance conferences and present at panel workshops for professional development

Attributes

• Conscientious and able to focus on completing work to a consistently high standard 

• Adaptable and positive mindset 

• Strong organisational and time-management skills

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Proactive nature and willingness to contribute to a team environment

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic 

• Ability to work independently 

• Continually strive for improvement

EtonHouse International School Orchard is committed to safeguarding and safer recruitment with the intention of promoting wellbeing for all members of our school community.  As a school and employer, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Our safer recruitment policy aims to ensure that the appropriate checks are made for all potential staff who will come in contact with our students, as part of a transparent and equitable recruitment policy.

Commencement Date: 1 August 2022