Job Description At The NEST School, we believe university guidance should begin long before a student begins filling out an application.
n We are looking for a University Guidance & Career Counselling Lead who will walk alongside our learners through their high school years — helping them understand themselves, explore possibilities, make informed career choices, build the right profile and ultimately identify universities where they can thrive.
n Our students will pursue diverse pathways across India and universities around the world. We are therefore looking for someone who understands both the aspirations and realities of international-school students and can guide families through the complexity of Indian and global university admissions.
n This is not a Grade 12 application-support role. It is a long-term student guidance and relationship-building role, combining career exploration, student mentoring, parent engagement, university knowledge and meticulous application management.
n What You Will Own
n 1. Know the Learner
n n Build a deep understanding of each student's interests, passions, strengths, aspirations, personality and emerging areas of curiosity.
n Use conversations, observations, academic information and appropriate assessments to help students develop greater self-awareness.
n Help students discover possibilities beyond the conventional career choices they may already know.
n n 2. Guide Career & Academic Pathways
n n Work with students to explore career options and identify pathways that align with their interests, strengths and aspirations.
n Help students understand the implications of subject choices, academic performance and profile-building on future university options.
n Develop individualised guidance plans that evolve as the student's interests and aspirations develop.
n n 3. Work with the Student Ecosystem
n n Partner closely with teachers to understand each learner's academic and developmental profile.
n Engage parents constructively and keep them informed at key stages of the student's journey.
n Facilitate informed conversations between students, parents and teachers when aspirations, capabilities or expectations differ.
n Build trust with students while maintaining professional objectivity and sound judgement.
n n 4. Build University Readiness
n n Help students progressively build their university profile through academics, projects, internships,



competitions, leadership, extracurricular activities and other meaningful experiences.
n Maintain a robust understanding of university requirements and changing admissions trends in India and internationally.
n Guide students towards appropriate university pathways across India and major international destinations.
n n 5. Own the University Application Process
n n Guide students through university research, shortlisting and application strategy.
n Manage application calendars, requirements, documentation and deadlines meticulously.
n Support students with essays/personal statements, recommendations, portfolios, transcripts, predicted grades and other application requirements.
n Track applications from initiation through submission and follow-up.
n Maintain accurate student-wise application records and ensure that no deadline or documentation requirement is missed.
n Communicate clearly and proactively with students, parents, teachers and universities throughout the process.
n n 6. Build the UGCC Ecosystem at School
n n Develop a structured university and career guidance framework across Grades 9–12.
n Build relationships with universities in India and overseas.
n Facilitate university visits, information sessions, student interactions, webinars and other opportunities for exposure.
n Develop resources and systems that make university and career information accessible to students and parents.
n Track university destinations and outcomes and use this data to continuously strengthen the school's guidance programme.
n n Who Are We Looking For?
n We are looking for someone who is deeply student-oriented, exceptionally organised and genuinely curious about the world of higher education and careers.
n You should be:
n n An excellent listener who can build meaningful, long-term relationships with teenagers.
n Analytical enough to connect a student's interests, academic profile, strengths and aspirations to realistic pathways.




n Mature and confident enough to challenge students and parents when necessary.
n An exceptionally strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.
n Highly meticulous with documentation, timelines and follow-through.
n Comfortable managing multiple students and applications simultaneously without losing attention to detail.
n Curious about emerging careers, disciplines and changing university landscapes.
n Proactive rather than reactive — someone who anticipates what a student will need several months ahead.
n Comfortable working collaboratively with teachers, school leadership and parents.
n Someone who takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what needs to be done.
n n Experience & Qualifications
n Strong preference for candidates with:
n n Experience working in an IB, Cambridge or other international-school environment.
n Experience guiding students from international schools towards both Indian and overseas universities.
n Understanding of international-school academic profiles, subject pathways and university admissions.
n Experience working with students across multiple high-school years rather than exclusively supporting Grade 12 applications.
n n We will also consider candidates who have worked extensively with students from international schools in university admissions, higher education, career counselling or related roles.
n Experience with university admissions across India and destinations such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Europe will be an advantage.
n What Will Make You Exceptional in This Role?
n You understand that the best university outcomes are not created in the final year of school.
n You start much earlier.
n You can sit with a 14-year-old and help them discover what excites them. You can work with a 16-year-old to turn that curiosity into a direction. You can challenge a parent's assumptions with evidence and empathy. And, two years later, you can manage every detail of that student's application with the precision required to get them across the finish line.
n If you are passionate about helping young people discover what they are capable of — and meticulous enough to make sure no opportunity is lost because of a missed detail — we would like to hear from you.
n Location: Chennai
n Employment: Full-time
n Function: University Guidance & Career Counselling (UGCC)

📌 University Guidance & Career Counselling Lead (Chennai)
🏢 The NEST School Chennai
📍 Chennai