Profession academic advisor

Education advisors provide individuals and groups with educational counseling.

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Personality Type

• Social / Enterprising

Tasks academic advisor

• Coordinate the provision of educational counselling.
• Gather relevant information for individual educational counseling, e.g. by conducting interviews and administering standardized tests (e.g., intelligence, aptitude and interest tests).
• Provide educational counseling to individuals, e.g. based on the results of tests, the individual's (educational) background, etc.
• Assist individuals with career development and job search skills.
• Confer with teachers and parents.
• Consult with educational institutions regarding educational programs, requirements, apprenticeships etc.
• Teach classes about educational career possibilities, e.g. college majors, admission requirements, financial aid, apprenticeships programs, etc.
• Advise teaching and administrative staff on curriculum development, use of materials and equipment.
• Coordinate and operate the education information centre.

Related professions consultancy, coaching

• Education methods specialist
• Philosopher

Knowledge

• Education law

  The area of law and legislation that concerns education policies and the people working in the sector in an (inter)national context, such as teachers, students, and administrators.

• Counselling methods

  Counselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.

• Curriculum standards

  The governmental policies concerning educational curricula and the approved curricula from specific educational institutions.

• Assessment processes

  Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.

• Curriculum objectives

  The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

Skills

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Give constructive feedback

  Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.

• Advise on learning methods

  Provide advice to help students study in a way that suits them best, propose different techniques such as using visual highlighting or speaking out loud, and help them draw up summaries and create learning schedules.

• Encourage students to acknowledge their achievements

  Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.

• Counsel students

  Provide assistance to students with educational, career-related or personal issues such as course selection, school adjustment en social integration, career exploration and planning, and family problems.

• Provide information on school services

  Present information on the educational and support services of a school or university to students and their parents, such as career guidance services or offered courses.

• Monitor educational developments

  Monitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.

• Provide information on study programmes

  Provide information on the different lessons and fields of study offered by educational institutions such as universities and secondary schools, as well as the study requirements and employment prospects.

• Construct individual learning plans

  Set up, in collaboration with the student, an individual learning plan (ILP), tailored to the student's specific learning needs, taking into account the student's weaknesses and strengths.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB