How To Become a College Advisor
If you’ve always wanted to help others in the process of deciding on the right college for them, becoming a college advisor could be a great career path for you. A college advisor helps students make informed decisions about which schools will best suit their needs. You’ll work with students as they prepare for and apply to colleges, and help them pursue their academic and career goals throughout their time in college. This is an exciting and rewarding job with many opportunities for advancement.
College advisors typically have at least an undergraduate degree in education or a related field, along with training in counseling skills. Most people who want to become college advisors begin by working as counselors at high schools or community colleges, where they can gain experience working directly with students and learn how to advise them on choosing their major or career path. Your first step should be to get accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or another professional organization so that you can obtain your counseling credentials. When searching for a job as a counselor, it’s also important that you do your research so you know which schools hire people with these credentials.
How To Become College Advisor
As an academic advisor, you have the ability to help students reach their academic potential and help them find them suitable careers they can excel in. Knowing what this role entails can help you determine whether you see yourself pursuing this career. In this article, we define the role of an academic advisor, list the steps for becoming an academic advisor and give you greater insight into this career overall.
Related: Learn About Being a Guidance Counselor
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What is an academic advisor?
Academic advisors provide guidance to students who want to know what to do with their academic or professional career. Working at a private or public institution, they essentially help students assess their educational and career options and plans. While some academic advisors help high school students, others provide guidance to college students. Here’s a look at both high school and college academic advisors:
High school academic advisors
High school academic advisors help teenage students as they approach their high school graduation. They determine their interests, ensure they meet graduation requirements and help them earn acceptance to a higher education institution or plan their career after graduation.
College or postsecondary academic advisors
College or postsecondary academic advisors provide guidance to students of varying age groups. They help them enroll in the right classes, help them choose the right major, help them transfer to other universities, evaluate their career options and help them find job prospects. College or postsecondary academic advisors also provide students with advice regarding both their professional and social life. For example, they may help them through test anxiety, gain independence and manage their priorities.
Related: 9 Types of Counseling Jobs to Consider
What does an academic advisor do?
Whether you’re a high school academic advisor or a college academic advisor, you typically have the same set of responsibilities. Both types of academic advisors provide assistance and help students reach their academic potential. Here are some of an academic advisor’s duties, whether they work for a high school or a university:
- Meet with students to determine their interests, skills and potential career or academic choices and help them assess their academic or career options and plans.
- Establish and build professional relationships with students to better understand their interests, goals and academic needs.
- Speak with students about colleges and help them fill out and submit their college or job applications.
- Offer networking and mentorship to help students reach their academic goals.
- Monitor a student’s academic progress and provide guidance to help them reach their goals more easily.
- Review student standardized test scores, transcripts and program prerequisites to determine whether students meet the eligibility requirements for certain academic programs or classes.
- Provide guidance regarding which classes to take each academic term and ensure they meet the graduating requirements.
- Maintain a schedule to manage student appointments and meetings.
- Determine how credits transfer between schools.
- Maintain accurate records of a student’s work and their interactions with them.
- Represent their school to prospective students.
- Maintain good relationships with fellow staff members including advisors, various colleges and academic departments.
- Refer students to specialized staff members for issues including counseling or financial assistance.
- Assist students with course registration, college applications and job applications.
- Hold career workshops to give information, inspire and present opportunities to students evaluating their future career choices.
How to become an academic advisor
Now that you know what the role of an academic advisor entails, start planning for your future career. Knowing how to pursue this career can help you find greater success in this field. Use these steps to become an academic advisor:
1. Determine where you want to work
Before you pursue the education needed to become an academic advisor, determine whether you want to be a college academic advisor or a high school academic advisor. While college and high school academic advisors have the same requirements, knowing which type of advisor you want to become can help you gear your studies and job experience toward the particular path you want to follow. For example, you may decide to gain relevant experience working at a high school as opposed to a college if you want to become a high school academic advisor.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree
If you want to become an academic advisor, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as education or counseling.
3. Gain relevant experience
While many job openings don’t specify a specific discipline when it comes to a bachelor’s degree, they often require students to have advising experience to better excel in their role as an academic advisor. While you’re in college, consider working at your university’s advising or admissions office. This allows you to gain on-the-job experience while completing your education, therefore, helping you get your first job after you graduate.
If you decide to pursue your master’s degree, many graduate programs offer on-the-job training through an internship and relevant field experience at local schools. Having this experience allows you to work alongside students and provide them with the same support you’d provide as a full-fledged academic advisor.
4. Get licensed
In some cases, you may need a teaching license to become an academic advisor. Many positions also require a counseling license from your state. If you do need to get licensed, The National Board for Certified Counselors offers a credential test to help you with the process. You may also need to pass a criminal and background check from your state.
5. Earn a master’s degree
If you want to improve our chances of getting a promotion or a raise, consider pursuing your master’s degree. Though not all colleges require you to have a master’s degree, some do. Consider whether this advanced degree is worthwhile for your career. Having this advanced degree may help you stand out against other job candidates, can help you improve your skills and help you keep your knowledge in this field up-to-date.