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“Frequently individuals ask the question 'how do I become a professional adviser?' and I typically respond there are many paths to becoming a professional adviser. I suggest interviewing professional advisers to learn how and why they chose to become professional advisers. In my view, a professional adviser needs teaching and or counseling experience along with a minimum of a master's degree in a related area, education, psychology, counseling or a discipline related to the program where advising is offered. Most of all, it requires an attitude that is receptive to accepting different strengths and limitations of individuals who seek academic assistance. The attitudes necessary for being a professional academic adviser include being open-minded, wholehearted and responsible.” – Barbara K. Wade, Penn State - University Park, Nov 04 “I strongly feel that professional advisers should have a background in counseling ... not that we need to always be 'personal counselors,' but more for the type of preparation and thinking that goes into a contact with an advisee. All the staff we have hired in our Advising Center have a career counseling background, which we find very important when dealing with 'students in transition' ... students who are exploring, or contemplating changing majors. This allows our staff to consecutively do academic advising, educational counseling, and career counseling.” – Rob Campbell, Penn State - York, Nov 04 “I'm a big believer in non-academic credentials as being the key factor to successful advising. Interpersonal communication skills, adaptability, organizational skills, and an understanding of university dynamics are some of the more important qualifications needed. However, I do concede that an educational background in the field advised (for example, I have a Master of Education degree and advise elementary education students) is of benefit. In keeping with professional standards, I also believe that a Master's degree should be the minimum entry-level norm.” – Jason Poole, Texas A&M University, Nov 04 “I submit that one of the best paths to becoming a professional adviser is completion of at least a Master's degree, preferably in counseling, psychology or a related field. The background acquired in these programs is important not just in terms of the content of the courses studied, but also in regards to learning the process of helping/advising. To anyone researching advising as a possible career option, I would suggest that the ability to empathize and to communicate clearly and concisely are also important attributes of successful professional advisers. Additionally, it helps if one has a high degree of tolerance and a lot of patience.” – Linda Bradbury, Kean University, Nov 18 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 | |
