Academic Advisor

College and university students are expected to choose a major, take all of their required courses, and graduate from the school in a timely manner. While it might sound easy, some students have trouble with one, or all, of these steps. As an Academic Advisor, you work with these students, helping them to make good choices.

Some students make an appointment to see an Academic Advisor because they know they need help. Others, however, will be forced to see you in order to graduate from the school. You try not to take this personally.

When a student comes to see an Academic Advisor, your first task is to set him at ease. You may talk about your own school days, or discuss the sports team at the school. Once the banter is free and easy, you talk to the student about his major.

You look at his academic record, and identify areas where he might need tutoring or some other form of assistance. You also help him choose appropriate classes, and outline classes he might consider for the term to follow.

Your job is to set the students at ease, to be sure, but you’re also required to demonstrate that your work truly helps both the students and the school. You’re dismayed when your students plan on leaving the school, and you do everything possible to help them stay in school, pay their tuition, and succeed. And when they do stay until graduation day and you see them walk across the stage, you’ll be the proudest person in the room!