Meet Zachary, one of Walden University’s Undergraduate Job Search Coaches, who brings more than a decade of hiring and recruitment experience to the students and alumni he serves. With a unique perspective from both sides of the hiring process, Zach combines real-world industry insights with practical, actionable coaching strategies that help learners navigate today’s competitive job market. In this post, Zach shares how he and the undergraduate career coaching team empower Walden students and alums to strengthen their job search skills, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward achieving their career goals.
Many prospective students hear “Undergraduate Job Search Coach” and are intrigued, but may not know what that means. What does a Walden career coach actually do for students?
What we try to do is set our students up to be as prepared as possible to navigate their professional landscapes. For some students, this means a quick check-in, such as a resume review, while others benefit from a fully plotted path. We encourage all students to partner with us to build a comprehensive, long-term career strategy. This involves aligning their academic journey with real-world market demands from the very beginning. We focus heavily on holistic development, helping students master the art of resume storytelling, targeted networking, and interview preparation. For fields with complex entry requirements, we help break down structural barriers so students feel confident transitioning from the classroom to the workforce.
At what point can a student begin working with a career coach, and how does that support evolve from enrollment through graduation?
Support can begin the moment a student enrolls, but it varies for everyone depending on their life circumstances. Starting work with a coach early gives our team time to identify clear professional goals from the start. As students progress through their degree programs, the coaching relationship shifts toward building a strong foundation of skills and knowledge for the job market. This can include resumes, portfolios, internships, and more. Closer to graduation, and extending throughout their journeys as alumni, the focus transitions to tactical execution, including intensive interview preparation, modern job search strategies, and targeted networking efforts.
What does a typical interaction with a career coach look like? Can you walk us through a real example of how you help a student?
Our interactions with students take place in two primary ways: asynchronously through email and in live Zoom sessions, where we work side by side. A coach may revise a student’s resume to speak directly to what recruiters and talent acquisition professionals are actively looking for, help develop a reusable cover letter template, and assist in identifying job openings that align with the student’s goals.
The collaborative Zoom sessions are centered around actionable steps. Instead of simply discussing abstract goals, we work with students to deconstruct their past professional experiences and identify high-value transferable skills. During these sessions, we’ll also conduct tailored mock interviews, review applications they’ve submitted, and discuss any challenges or roadblocks they may be facing. This approach transforms what can feel like an overwhelming and stressful period of uncertainty into a structured, manageable execution plan.
Is coaching individualized? How often do students meet with their coach, and what types of conversations do they have?
Coaching is entirely individualized to meet the distinct realities of our students, meaning no two coaching pathways look identical. We have a set of core philosophies and strategies that guide our work, but each student’s timeline, goals, and circumstances are different. Depending on where a student is in their journey and the timeline they set for themselves, the frequency and intensity of coaching we recommend will vary.
What are some of the most common challenges students bring to you, and how do you help them overcome them?
The most common challenges students bring to the table are imposter syndrome during a career transition and the difficulty of translating nontraditional experience into a new industry. Many of the students we work with struggle to see how their diverse backgrounds fit within a new field, or they feel intimidated by the state of the current job market.
We help by looking at each student’s career history through a recruitment lens and teaching them how to position their background as a competitive advantage. From there, we provide clear, actionable professional development strategies that help build lasting confidence as they pursue their career goals.
Additional Resources:
Schedule an Appointment page
Career advising and coaching appointments are available for Walden students and alums at all degree levels. Please remember to select the correct degree level when reserving your career appointment.
Career Planning and Development website
Visit Walden University’s Career Planning and Development website for a wide range of career-related resources and offerings to help you navigate your career.
Interview Contributed by Zachary Kuhl, Walden University Undergraduate Career Coach.