Academic counselors, also sometimes known as advisers, work in school systems to help students choose classes, provide information about careers and majors, and perform academic testing and evaluating. In order to become an academic counselor, it is necessary to have an education in the field, usually at least a master's degree, as well as experience working with students. Counseling skills are required for many of these positions, but some advising roles focus more on schoolwork than on personal problems and issues.
Become an academic counselor by first graduating high school and attending a four-year institution to receive an undergraduate degree. A certain major is not required but common choices include psychology, English and education. Undergraduate degrees in sociology or social work also prepare students for further education in counseling. Receiving a master's degree in school counseling, social work or higher education opens more doors and makes it easier to become an academic counselor, and is often required for positions.
During her time as an undergraduate student, an individual can attempt to work in an academic advising office as a student worker or intern. This position requires having some contact with students in an advising manner, but also allows the individual to work with people more experienced in academic counseling. Once an individual finishes her undergraduate degree, there are jobs working in an academic counseling office as a graduate student. The more experience an individual has working in an academic counseling office, the easier it will be for her to get a job once she has completed her education.
Counseling skills include working with clients individually and in groups, understanding issues that students face, and being an advocate for the students. Academic counselors will often perform preventive education within their school as well as seek out students that appear to be having difficulties. This requires an empathic personality as well as good listening skills, as an academic counselor needs to be able to communicate effectively with students about problems they are having in school and at home. Other areas of work include planning student schedules and talking openly about future goals.
The ability to provide assessment, testing and measurement is often necessary to be able to become an academic counselor. This information is learned during schooling as a graduate student or during on-the-job training. A basic understanding of mathematics and statistics is necessary to become an academic counselor because of this part of the job.
