Academic Advisor Salary

Being an academic advisor means that you are committed to helping young people achieve their full potential. Academic advisors are employed by universities, community colleges, and high schools across the country to assist students in making informed decisions about their education. Few professions are more important and needed. Academic advising is for anyone who has a passion for helping students achieve their goals.

A quick look at academic advisors

Students can use academic advisors to plan their academic years and prepare for the future. Advisors can help students navigate the details of credit, scheduling, exams, schedules, and other assistance programs.

Job description for academic advisor

Although the duties of an academic adviser may differ depending on the student’s age, the main goal of any academic advisor is to guide students along the right academic path. Students meet with academic advisors individually or in small groups to discuss their interests, skills, and future career options. To help students achieve their academic goals, they offer mentoring and networking support. Although not considered to be a counselor, academic advisors are often available to answer questions and help students make informed decisions about their future career paths.

Students can get advice from academic advisors about which courses to take and what requirements to graduate from their programs. They assist students in career planning and coordinate orientations of new and transfer students. They review transcripts and placement scores as well as course prerequisites in order to determine if a student is eligible for certain classes or programs.

Students often contact academic advisors as their main point of contact. Their work involves communicating with students promptly regarding:

Important dates and deadlines
Register
Institutional policies and procedures
Changes in course
Tuition and materials costs
Maintenance of facilities
Initiatives for schools across the country
Transfer requirements
Mandates of the federal and state governments

Most academic advisors have a schedule that allows students the opportunity to drop by or book an appointment to discuss important topics. In addition, academic advisors may refer students to specialized staff for such issues as psychological/emotional counseling, financial assistance, and study-abroad programs.

Academic advisors are often involved in the process of evaluating and determining which credits transfer between schools, performing degree audits and communicating academic probation problems. They must keep accurate records of all their interactions with students.

As liaisons for the school, academic advisors might be available. They can represent the school to potential students and foster good relationships with other advisors. Advisors can attend college fairs to talk with parents and students about enrollment options. Advisors may meet prospective students to assess their abilities and discuss the programs and opportunities at their institution. These meetings will determine if the student and the institution are a good match.

What makes a great academic advisor?

Someone who:

Highly intuitive and empathic
Excellent interpersonal skills
Are you a problem-solver?
Passionate about connecting with students
You are resourceful and patient
It is well-organized with attention to detail
Are you service-oriented?
Are you skilled in computers?
Possess a sense for humor
You are open to interacting with people of different backgrounds
Excellent oral and written communication skills

In-depth academic advisors

The path to academic advisor depends on the type of work environment you choose: university, community college, high school.

Academic advisors for high school students

High school academic advisors help teens to graduate and be accepted to a college or university. They assist students in determining their interests and help them understand the requirements for graduation. We will share information about college majors and vocational programs. Students may need assistance with financial aid and college applications.

Students will also need assistance in planning their career after graduation. Advisors can help you choose a career, internship or apprenticeship. They will also assist with job applications, resume creation, interview skills, and creating job applications.

Academic advisors often lead career workshops that offer information, inspiration and opportunities for students to make future career decisions.

Academic advisors for postsecondary institutions

Academic advisors at the community college level work with students from all ages, including teenagers, middle-aged, and retired. This level of academic advising helps students to find the right classes and transfer to universities to finish their bachelor’s degrees.

University academic advisors can choose from a range of schools, including small private schools and large public universities. University academic advisors can help students select the right courses and choose the right major. They also offer advice on almost every aspect of student’s professional and social lives.

Most advisors at this level are sought by students to help them with academic matters such as course selection and major selection. Academic advisors at postsecondary institutions can also help students with their academic struggles, such as class selection, managing test scores, and anxiety, and fostering independence. Academic advisors should provide a supportive environment for students and help them make meaningful connections.

Qualifications for education and certification

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees
The average study time is 4-6 years

A bachelor’s degree is required to become an academic advisor. A master’s degree in academic advisors can have higher salaries and get promoted. A degree in a relevant field, such as counseling or education, is especially useful. Employers are looking for people who have an advanced degree in education leadership.

Academic advisors can also be trained in other areas. Many academic advisor positions are available to people who have degrees in psychology, counseling, counseling, marketing, higher education leadership and career development.

While many job openings don’t require a specific degree, they do require that the candidate have previous experience in advising. While completing their degree, prospective advisors should seek work in their college’s admissions or advising offices. This can give them valuable experience on the job that could help them get their first job as an academic adviser after graduation.

Academic advisors can expect a range of salaries

Academic advisors’ salaries can vary depending on their level of education, experience, certifications, and state of employment. Major universities have higher salaries than those at community colleges or public high schools.

ZipRecruiter.com reports that the average base salary for academic advisors varies by state, from $35,423 up to $49,790.

The median salary for academic advisors (including those with years of experience) is $50,050, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The lowest 10% earn $33,610, while the highest 10% earn $94,690.

Here’s a snapshot of the average salary for academic advisors:

ZipRecruiter.com: $45,490
Indeed.com: $42,548
Glassdoor.com: $48,367
Salary.com: $46,888
Payscale.com: $43,353

Advisors are also eligible for all school holidays and benefits. Advisors often have extended vacations and reduced work hours in the summer.

Employment projections

The projected growth in the employment of academic advisors from 2018 to 2028 is 8%. Both high schools and postsecondary institutions are expected to see an overall increase in enrollment. Postsecondary education is a goal for all ages and backgrounds. To help students navigate the educational system, academic advisors are an essential part of the process.

There are advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

Establishing relationships with students, faculty, and staff
Assisting students in realizing and reaching their career potentials — Being a real-world problem solver
There are many options, and no two days are the same.
Helping others achieve independence
Academic environment for intellectual growth
Individual growth and success

Cons:

Staying up-to-date on changing career opportunities and curricula
Enrollment practices: Stresses
Large workload
Maintaining a schedule for drop-in appointments
Manage record-keeping and paperwork

Academic advisors can benefit from professional development

Continuing education

To improve their skills and stay current, many academic advisors continue to pursue courses throughout their careers. NACADA offers professional development including awards, scholarships and grants, annual conferences, e-tutorials and an emerging-leaders programme.

Professional Associations

Academic advisors have other job opportunities than advising.

Academic advisors can become teachers, librarians or instructional coordinators with additional education or certification.

Teacher Academic advisors may become teachers easily if they have the right credentials and a strong education background in the subject area they are teaching. While a bachelor’s degree is necessary, a master’s degree is preferred.

Librarian A master’s degree is required in library science (MLS). A standardized test is required by some states for librarians.

Instructional Coordinator: Academic advisors have the potential to be instructional coordinators. A master’s degree in education or curriculum and instruction is required for instructional coordinators. They may also need to hold a teaching license or education administrator license.

School principal A master’s degree is essential for becoming a school principal. A master’s degree in education leadership is a great option for academic advisors who wish to become school principals. Many states require school administrators to be licensed in order for public school principals.

Education administrator: It may be necessary to have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s depending on the job. A master’s degree may be required for higher-level positions such as president or dean.

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