SEEK Opportunity: Program Coordinator: The PILOT Program at MSU Graduate School and MDARD

We are seeking a doctoral student in good standing to work with professionals from the MSU Graduate School and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to serve as a program coordinator for the PILOT Project (Pursuing Intentional Learning in Organizations Together) https://grad.msu.edu/pilot-project 

The goals of the program are two-fold and based on a model of knowing graduate students have a unique knowledge and skillset that can benefit professional organizations outside academe, and that professional organizations outside academe have unique knowledge to share with graduate students interested in pursuing non-academic career opportunities. 

The program is designed to: 

  • Build programming and professional development for graduate students who are interested in learning about and exploring non-academic career tracks, such as those in state agencies like MDARD 
  • Build programming and professional development around issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within state agencies, including MDARD. 

This position will: 

Report to the Director of Graduate Career Development at the MSU Graduate School 

Work no more than 9 hrs/week during Spring Semester 2023 (Summer 2023 hours will be negotiated). 

Work both virtually and in-person in/around East Lansing 

Work on a collaborative team with a graduate student from MSU who is embedded in the Office of Communications at MDARD to: 

  • Develop a series of programs (i.e. trainings, speaker series, etc.) around DEI and professional development to serve MDARD employees and stakeholders. 
  • Develop a series of programs (i.e. trainings, speaker series, etc.) around “alternative careers” for graduate students. 
  • Participate in weekly meetings with PILOT team leaders. 
  • Develop communications materials and keep website up to date. 
  • Develop advertising (including social media, flyers, press releases etc.) for PILOT events. 
  • Develop DEI content and strategies for non-academic audiences. 

This is an ideal position for someone who is interested in developing skills and experience in program management, professional development, DEI, implementation, and community engagement, etc. This position is only open to doctoral students in good standing at Michigan State University. 

Timeline: 

We would like to fill this position in Spring Semester 2023; programming timelines will be developed by the team but are expected to start in Spring 2023 and continue throughout the summer. 

Pay: 

MSU will pay the student, via a fellowship deposited to the student’s account, the equivalent of 9 hours/week during spring semester at the rate of $20/hr. Students must be enrolled as an MSU student in Spring 2023. Summer hours can be negotiated depending on program needs and student availability.  This position is not an assistantship. 

To apply: 

Please submit a cover letter and resume via Handshake. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. See here: https://msu.joinhandshake.com/edu/jobs/7502721:  

Please be sure to articulate what about this work particularly appeals to you, how it aligns with your career goals, and what special skills or knowledge you can bring to the project.