Choosing to work as an academic advisor is a career path that requires some planning. There are several ways to prepare for different advising jobs because advisors can work as counselors in junior high and senior high schools, as well as colleges and universities.
A person who wants to work as an academic advisor in a junior or senior high school will almost certainly need a degree in school counseling. A four-year degree directly related to school counseling is usually required. Furthermore, some school systems may require that any potential advisors who work for them have a graduate degree, such as a master’s or doctorate. Many smaller systems, on the other hand, will require a Bachelor’s degree in counseling and possibly some prior experience working in a school system.
The range of educational credentials and experience required for someone who wants to work as an academic advisor at a college or university is usually greater. It is not uncommon for a doctoral degree to be one of the basic requirements before a candidate is considered. In general, the doctorate can be in any field of counseling that is relevant, though the requirements will differ from one university to the next. In some areas, obtaining local jurisdictional licensing is also required before a candidate can be considered for an advising position.
The ideal candidate for both the school counselor and the college advisor must have excellent communication skills. Not only must the advisor be able to clearly communicate information to students, but he or she must also be able to discern the student’s spoken and unspoken concerns about academic goals and how they affect future aspirations. This means that in order to be a truly successful academic advisor, one must be able to establish a level of trust and rapport with the students being counseled. As a result, college and high school advisors are frequently expected to have some background in interactive communications.
Obtaining information about the qualifications and general requirements associated with advising positions at a specific educational institution is one of the best ways to determine how to become an academic advisor at that institution. This will make it easier to concentrate solely on meeting the organization’s requirements and to prepare for the job in a way that highlights the candidate’s competence and credentials.