CAREER COACH HANDBOOK - Summer Search

• Help the student understand the importance of networking skills.
• Help demystify the process of starting a career and prepare the student to
enter the office environment.
In addition to “hard” skills, it is expected that Career Coaches will work with students on
“soft” skills such as professional conduct and expectations and the components of a
good work ethic.
At the end of the program, students should be well-prepared to apply and interview for
internships, and to subsequently become exemplary employees.
D. Ground Rules and Relationship Expectations
Each volunteer is expected to submit a signed copy of the Summer Search
Volunteer Code of Conduct, which outlines the expectations of the volunteer role.
E. Process: Program Components at a Glance
1. Recruit Summer Search Students for internship program
2. Recruit Career Coaches
3. Match each student with a Career Coach
4. Career Coach orientation meeting
5. Career Coaches and students work together on resumes, cover letters,
applications, hard and soft skills
6. Students secure internship positions
7. Students placed in and internships commence
F. Timeline
November
• Summer Search begins student recruiting for internship program
• Summer Search begins recruiting Career Coaches
• Summer Search begins lining up internship opportunities with partner
organizations (through spring)
December
• Career Coach Orientation
January
• Summer Search notifies Career Coaches and Students of their pairing
• Career Coach and student meet ASAP at a mutually agreed upon location to get
to know one another. Face-to-face meeting is strongly encouraged; if that is not
possible, talk by phone. Goals:
1) Career Coaches understand student’s career interests
2) Student learns about Career Coach’s education and career path
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