Higher Education

Want to help students shape what comes next? At ISL, we want every student to leave us with the self-knowledge, skills and confidence to make thoughtful choices about their future. We are looking for an experienced Higher Education & Careers Counsellor to guide students in Grades 9–12 as they explore universities, careers and other post-secondary pathways around the world. You will help students connect their interests, strengths, values and learning experiences with future possibilities—developing the agency to make choices that are meaningful to them. Working within our international and IB learning environment, you will help students connect the IB Learner Profile, Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills and their academic and wider experiences with life beyond ISL. You will also guide students and families in understanding our three pathways: the full IB Diploma Programme, IB Courses and Global Impact Diploma (GID). What will you do? You will build trusting relationships with students and families and provide personalised, internationally minded guidance throughout the future-planning process.
• Coach students to reflect on their strengths, interests and aspirations and take ownership of their future choices.
• Deliver a coherent Higher Education & Careers programme across Grades 9–12, including individual and small-group guidance.
• Help students research and evaluate universities and other post-secondary opportunities around the world, alongside vocational education, gap experiences, entrepreneurship and employment.
• Guide students and families through international university admissions, with particular expertise in the US college and university application process.
• Support applications, including essays and personal statements, CVs/résumés, portfolios, interviews, recommendations and deadlines.
• Help students articulate who they are as learners and contributors by connecting their academic learning, IB Learner Profile attributes, ATL skills, CAS and community engagement with their future aspirations.
• Build relationships with universities, admissions professionals, alumni, employers and other partners internationally, and coordinate university fairs, visits and information events.
• Collaborate across the Upper School, including with the IB Diploma Programme and Global Impact Diploma teams, to connect academic choices, experiential learning, wellbeing and future pathways.
• Support relevant university admissions testing and maintain accurate, confidential student records What will you bring to ISL? Essential
• A Master's degree or equivalent in counselling, education, careers guidance or a relevant field.
• 5–8 years of successful experience in higher education/university counselling.
• Strong knowledge of international higher education and admissions systems and the ability to advise students about universities around the world.
• Experience with the IB Diploma Programme and knowledge of the US college and university application process.
• Strong counselling and coaching skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with adolescents and families.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, organisation and attention to detail.
• The ability to work effectively within a culturally and linguistically diverse international community.
• Strong digital competence and confidence using higher education and careers platforms.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Professional discretion, sound ethical judgement and a strong commitment to safeguarding. Valued experience
• Within an IB World School and with pathways beyond the full IB Diploma.
• Supporting applications across multiple countries and higher education systems.
• Working with platforms such as Unifrog, UCAS, Common Application and Studielink.
• Coordinating university fairs, admissions events or career-related learning.
• Supporting experiential, service or impact-based programmes such as the Global Impact Diploma.
• Supporting multilingual learners and students with diverse learning needs.
• Using French and/or German.
• Membership or qualifications in higher education, university admissions or careers counselling. You'll thrive in this role if you... ...are a relationship builder and thoughtful listener who creates space for students to talk openly about their aspirations and uncertainties. ...believe in student agency and use coaching, questioning and reflection to help young people make their own informed decisions. ...are internationally minded, culturally responsive and open-minded, recognising that there is no single pathway or definition of future success. ...are an organised and collaborative professional who can make complex admissions processes understandable while managing multiple priorities and deadlines. ...remain curious and reflective, keeping your knowledge current as higher education, careers and the world of work continue to evolve. Interested in joining our learning community? At ISL, future planning is about more than helping students decide where they will go next. It is about helping them understand who they are, what matters to them and how they can contribute. As our Higher Education & Careers Counsellor, you will help students explore possibilities, navigate choices and develop the skills and confidence to shape their own futures. ISL is committed to safeguarding and prioritising the wellbeing of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Recruitment timeline:
• If you are shortlisted, you will receive a notification email to book your interview.
• If you have not been contacted after the video deadline, your application is potentially unsuccessful but, in any case, you will receive an official answer