 |
|
|
| 
|
“As an academic adviser, I must defend the rights and integrity of the profession. How could it not be considered a profession when many lives are gravely affected by the process? Some would argue that in the world of technological advances, students do not need the one-on-one academic advising that they once knew. However, I beg to differ. In my work environment, we have made vigorous attempts to promote the usage of the WWW. It is oftentimes promoted as the way to go because it is quick and easy and in effect, it reduces our work load tremendously. But, all new students must confer with an academic adviser and get a course load approval before they are allowed to register. Even with all of the advertising and promoting that we do, there continues to be students who want to interact with a live body rather than a machine/computer/telephone. This point illustrates the importance of the academic adviser. These students want to feel secure that they are making the right decision where their education is concerned. Profession it is. Undervalued it really is.” – Billie Grant, Troy State University Montgomery, Jun 11 “Yes because the need is definitely there and technology will enhance the effectiveness of the professions.” – Larry Wolford, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Jun 11 “This is a question often asked, but one that should not have to be asked. The reason we have these discussions is probably because of prevailing and historical faculty and administration perception regarding academic advising and the term, 'profession.' In the past I have actually been told by administrators supervising the center in which I worked that 'anybody can advise.' Fortunately, at my university, that opinion is not shared by the current leadership. It seems to be difficult for faculty who have invested so much time, effort and money in the pursuit of their terminal degrees to grant credence to [those] who have not reached their lofty heights. And, I understand this as they have labored long and do deserve credit for that. But when I read my Merriam-Webster, here is what I find: '4a: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation; b: a principal calling vocation, or employment; c: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling.' Let's see, an adviser must have a great amount of specialized knowledge and must have a measure of intensive academic preparation. For many advisers it is their principal calling, vocation, or employment. NACADA's success argues for the idea of the whole body of persons engaged in the calling. Yes, academic advising is a profession. Not at the same level of faculty or administration. But is not the profession so protected by faculty and administration not at the level of other professions. Perhaps the attorney or the surgeon or the judge could enlighten us on that?” – Harry Cook, Southwest Missouri State University, Jun 22 The Mentor is published by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies Available online at www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/ Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright | © The Pennsylvania State University | All rights reserved | |
