Career and Academic Advisor

INTERNAL POSTING

About Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College is Calgary’s college with local impact and global reach, serving more than 15,000 students. We launch our students by preparing them for in-demand jobs through high-quality, future-oriented education. We advance our graduates into careers in healthcare, technology, business, entertainment arts, social services, and more, contributing to our economy and community. We evolve our students through work-integrated learning, upskilling, and reskilling.

Proud to be named one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges, our applied research focuses on health and educational technology, and social innovation. Home to the Digital Entertainment Nexus, Calgary’s first esports arena, and the Bears varsity team, Bow Valley College is celebrating 60 years of student success. Learn more about the opportunities we create at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Career, International and Academic Advising, the Career and Academic Advisor plays a critical role in supporting students and alumni as they make informed decisions about their education and career pathways. This position contributes directly to student satisfaction, success, retention, and program completion by delivering holistic academic advising and career coaching services aligned with Bow Valley College’s mission, vision, and values.

The Advisor provides individual and group academic advising and career coaching through in-person, virtual, telephone, and group appointments. This includes supporting students with short-term course selection and long-term program planning, developing individualized education and remediation plans, assisting students on academic probation, and guiding learners through post-secondary policies, procedures, deadlines, and academic requirements. Working closely with Program Chairs, faculty, Enrolment Services, Admissions, Registration, and Testing, the Advisor ensures students understand placement results, prerequisites, transfer credit options, articulation pathways, and future educational opportunities.

In addition to academic advising, the Career and Academic Advisor delivers comprehensive career coaching services. This includes supporting students and alumni with job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, career assessments, action planning, and job retention strategies. The Advisor researches and analyzes labour market information and employment trends to help students make realistic and informed career decisions, while maintaining strong connections with employers, community partners, and industry stakeholders to support employment opportunities.

The role also has a strong outreach and engagement focus. The Advisor plans and facilitates workshops, presentations, registration tutorials, information sessions, and career-related events in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. The position represents Bow Valley College at campus and community events such as Open Houses, orientations, learner expos, tradeshows, and employer events, and works collaboratively to promote Career Services and advising resources across the College and the broader community.

Strong communication and information management are essential to this role. The Advisor initiates proactive outreach to students at key points in the academic cycle, maintains accurate and confidential student records, tracks service data and trends, develops advising and career resources, and uses student information system tools and reports to support timely interventions and student success. The Advisor also assesses referral practices, identifies service gaps, and contributes to continuous improvement of advising and career services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in Career Development, Social Science, Business, Education, or Human Services
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a post-secondary environment
• At least one year of related experience in career coaching or providing services to diverse clients or students
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Career Development, Social Science, Business, Education, or Human Services
• Four years’ experience working in a post-secondary environment
• Experience in academic advising, student support, instructional, or student-facing roles
• Experience using a student information system
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse and multicultural population
• Excellent communication skills with a high level of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy
• Demonstrated cross-cultural awareness and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Knowledge of career development theories, assessment tools, labour market information, and employment trends
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, handle stress, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment
• Proficiency with Windows, MS Office, and internet-based tools

If your education was received internationally we will require you provide an international education assessment through IQAS, WES, or one of the other nationally designated organizations upon hire.

Closing Date: June 9th, 2026

This opening is a continuous (AUPE) position. Please note that consideration will be given to existing internal applicants from Bow Valley College, and that all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.