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.

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- Use conversations, observations, academic information and appropriate assessments to help students develop greater self-awareness.

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- Help students discover possibilities beyond the conventional career choices they may already know.

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Guide

Career & Academic Pathways /n /n

- Work with students to explore career options and identify pathways that align with their interests, strengths and aspirations.

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- Help students understand the implications of subject choices, academic performance and profile-building on future university options.

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- 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.

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- Engage parents constructively and keep them informed at key stages of the student's journey.

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- Facilitate informed conversations between students, parents and teachers when aspirations, capabilities or expectations differ.

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- Build trust with students while maintaining professional objectivity and sound judgement.

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Build University

Readiness /n /n

- Help students progressively build their university profile through academics, projects, internships, competitions,



leadership, extracurricular activities and other meaningful experiences.

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- Maintain a robust understanding of university requirements and changing admissions trends in India and internationally.

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- 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.

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- Manage application calendars, requirements, documentation and deadlines meticulously.

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- Support students with essays/personal statements, recommendations, portfolios, transcripts, predicted grades and other application requirements.

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- Track applications from initiation through submission and follow-up.

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- Maintain accurate student-wise application records and ensure that no deadline or documentation requirement is missed.

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- 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.

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- Build relationships with universities in India and overseas.

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- Facilitate university visits, information sessions, student interactions, webinars and other opportunities for exposure.

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- Develop resources and systems that make university and career information accessible to students and parents.

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- 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.

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- Analytical enough to connect a student's interests, academic profile, strengths and aspirations to realistic pathways.

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- Mature and confident enough to challenge students and parents when necessary.

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- An exceptionally strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.

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- Highly meticulous with documentation, timelines and follow-through.

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- Comfortable managing multiple students and applications simultaneously without losing attention to detail.

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- Curious about emerging careers, disciplines and changing university landscapes.

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- Proactive rather than reactive — someone who anticipates what a student will need several months ahead.

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- Comfortable working collaboratively with teachers, school leadership and parents.

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- 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.

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- Experience guiding students from international schools towards both Indian and overseas universities.

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- Understanding of international-school academic profiles, subject pathways and university admissions.

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- 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 (Thoothukudi)
🏢 The NEST School Chennai
📍 Thoothukudi