Data Assistant (Student)(FWS)

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Department:

School of International Service

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

The Office of Career Development (OCD) in the School of International Service (SIS) at American University provides programming, career advising, and resources to support career education and mentorship for undergraduates and graduate students pursuing careers in international affairs.

The SIS OCD is seeking a Data Assistant (Federal Work Study) who will be responsible for supporting data collection, analysis, and presentation under the supervision of the Program Coordinator. The Data Assistant will play a critical role in supporting data-driven decision-making and enhancing the overall effectiveness of career services. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in analyzing, organizing, interpreting, and presenting career-related data. The Data Assistant will collaborate with the OCD team to collect, maintain, and analyze data to inform strategic initiatives and improve student and employer engagement. This role is an excellent fit for individuals interested in the intersection of data analytics and career development.

An overarching commitment to inclusive excellence is key for this role. All staff and student workers in the SIS OCD are committed to continually increasing their knowledge about different communities’ experiences in the job market, higher education, and larger societal contexts regarding access, opportunity, and justice, and supporting team efforts to do the same. This includes completing all job duties with an awareness of the concerns, pressures, and inequities that members of underserved communities face. It also includes developing and providing resources that are intentionally inclusive of individuals from a range of backgrounds, as reflected in the AU student body.

The SIS Office of Career Development is committed to inclusive excellence, and we encourage applicants from distinct backgrounds. Learn more about our office, here: https://www.american.edu/sis/career/.

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their experience with the key components of this role and their interest in this position.

Essential Functions:

Data Collection and Management:

• Collect and organize career-related data from various sources, including drop-in advising, the SIS mentorship program, surveys, social media, and the graduation census.

• Gather SIS Career advising and event attendance data via Handshake.

• Utilize scraping software to extract and pinpoint specific data on our SIS LinkedIn group related to jobs, internships, and other opportunities shared with us.

• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of data by conducting regular data quality checks and resolving discrepancies.

• Maintain and update databases, spreadsheets, and other data repositories to ensure efficient data retrieval and accessibility.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Generate monthly data reports and visualizations to effectively communicate data findings to the OCD team.

• Assist in analyzing career-related data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that inform decision-making processes.

• Collaborate with team members to develop and refine key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of career services.

Research and Evaluation:

• Conduct research on best practices in career services and data analytics.

• Support the evaluation of career programs and initiatives by designing surveys, collecting feedback, and analyzing results.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with OCD staff to understand data needs and provide data-driven insights to support decision-making.

• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders (reporting to OCD monthly in collaboration with Program Coordinator).

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• 15 Hours Per Week.

• Hybrid (with at least 1-2 days in-person).

• Federal Work Study (FWS).

• This position is for the fall semester with a strong preference of continuation in the spring.

• As class schedule permits, the Data Assistant will be asked to attend SIS OCD staff meetings and work on committees related to the work of the OCD. 

Salary Range:

• $17.95-$22.00/hr. (commensurate with experience).

Required Education and Experience:

• Must have a Federal Work Study (FWS) award.

• Undergraduate or graduate student currently pursuing a degree in a relevant field such as data science, statistics, computer science, or a related discipline.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and draw insights from complex data sets.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and other data analysis and collection tools such as SQL, Python, or R.

• Familiarity with data visualization techniques and tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus.

• Detail-oriented mindset with excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present findings in a clear and concise manner.

• Self-starter and team player, able to prioritize and meet deadlines as delineated by the Program Coordinator.

• Ability to adapt and take initiative in response to changing ideas, expectations, or environments.

Preferred Education and Experience

• An interest in higher education and career development is preferred.

• Experience and/or interest in international affairs is preferred.

• Experience with Handshake, and/or the desire to learn how to utilize it as a data collection tool.

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

 

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

 

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

 

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.