College advisors get to help students have a successful college experience. Read this article to learn about what you should do to get started in this profession.
Becoming an academic advisor means devoting your career to helping young people fulfill their potential. Few professions are more noble and necessary. Academic advising should appeal to anyone passionate about helping people get the most out of their education.
Required Education
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education you’ll need to start a career in college advising. A master’s degree is required for some college advisor.
Positions. Common majors for professionals in this field include:
- Human Services
- Higher Education Leadership
- Psychology
- Social Work
Work Experience
Relevant work experience can be beneficial for those aspiring to become college advisors. Getting a job on campus while in school in the academic advising department is a great place to start. An internship in college advising would also be a very beneficial experience. Any relevant experience will help you verify that this is, in fact, the right career choice for you, and it will also look great on applications.
Certification
In addition to a degree or two, some college advisor positions also require certification in the field, but typically certification is optional. If you decide you want to pursue certification, there are some different ones you can look into.
The American Institute for Certified Educational Planners offers (CEP) credentials. Another option is the Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) certification through the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP).
College Advisor Resources
Study.com offers several resources that college advisors can use to help students. These courses contain engaging video lessons accompanied by lesson transcripts that students can view. Students can also take the included quizzes and exams to verify they understand how to choose and apply to colleges, identify an appropriate career path and more. Check out the following courses to get a better idea of what you can offer:
