Top 12 Academic Advisor Skills to Put on Your Resume

Crafting a standout resume as an academic advisor requires a keen showcase of skills that highlight your ability to guide, support, and empower students through their educational journeys. The top 12 skills to feature are essential in demonstrating your expertise in fostering academic excellence, managing diverse student needs, and contributing to a positive and productive academic environment.

Academic Advisor Skills

1. Banner (Ellucian)
2. DegreeWorks
3. PeopleSoft
4. Academic Coaching
5. FERPA Compliance
6. Student Retention Strategies
7. Career Counseling
8. Data Analysis (Excel)
9. CRM Systems (Salesforce)
10. Conflict Resolution
11. Time Management
12. Multicultural Competency

1. Banner (Ellucian)

Banner by Ellucian is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system designed for higher education institutions. It integrates various academic and administrative functions, providing tools for academic advisors to manage student information, track academic progress, and support student registration and advising processes.

Why It's Important

Banner by Ellucian is important for an Academic Advisor because it provides a comprehensive platform to manage student information, track academic progress, and facilitate advising sessions, enabling advisors to effectively support students' educational journeys.

How to Improve Banner (Ellucian) Skills

To improve your usage of Ellucian Banner as an Academic Advisor, consider these concise steps:

1. Understand the Basics: Start with Ellucian's official resources to get a foundational understanding of Banner and its capabilities.

2. Utilize Training Resources: Leverage Ellucian's Banner Training to enhance your skills. These courses cover various aspects, from beginner to advanced functionalities.

3. Enhance Communication: Use Banner's integrated communication tools to streamline interactions with students. Learn to create and manage alerts and holds effectively.

4. Data Analysis and Reporting: Improve your advising by mastering Banner's reporting tools for tracking student progress. Ellucian's analytics solutions can provide insights into student data.

5. Stay Updated: Regularly check Ellucian's community forums and news for the latest updates and best practices shared by peers.

6. Customize for Efficiency: Utilize Banner's customization options to tailor the interface and workflows to your advising needs, making daily tasks more efficient.

7. Implement Add-ons and Integrations: Explore third-party integrations and add-ons that can extend Banner's capabilities, from scheduling tools to enhanced communication platforms.

By following these steps and continuously exploring new features and resources, you can significantly improve your proficiency and efficiency in using Banner for academic advising.

How to Display Banner (Ellucian) Skills on Your Resume

2. DegreeWorks

DegreeWorks is a comprehensive academic advising and degree audit tool that helps advisors monitor students' progress towards degree completion, ensuring they meet all their academic requirements efficiently.

Why It's Important

DegreeWorks is important for Academic Advisors as it streamlines the advising process by providing a comprehensive platform for monitoring student progress, ensuring degree requirements are met, and facilitating tailored academic planning.

How to Improve DegreeWorks Skills

Improving DegreeWorks for an Academic Advisor involves enhancing its functionality, user interface, and integration capabilities to better support academic planning and advising. Here are concise strategies:

1. Customization: Enhance the ability to customize DegreeWorks to fit specific program requirements, including varied pathways and electives. Customization Guide.

2. Training: Implement comprehensive training programs for advisors to maximize the use of advanced features. Ellucian Training.

3. Integration: Improve integration with other campus systems (e.g., LMS, registration) for a seamless advising experience. Integration Solutions.

4. User Interface: Update the user interface for ease of use, ensuring essential information is accessible and understandable at a glance. UI/UX Best Practices.

5. Feedback Mechanism: Implement a feedback system for users to report issues or suggest improvements directly within DegreeWorks. User Feedback Importance.

6. Mobile Accessibility: Enhance mobile access to DegreeWorks, making it easier for advisors to access information on-the-go. Mobile First Design.

7. Real-Time Data: Ensure DegreeWorks reflects real-time data for up-to-date advising. Real-Time Data Benefits.

By implementing these strategies, Academic Advisors can significantly improve the functionality and effectiveness of DegreeWorks, facilitating better academic planning and support for students.

How to Display DegreeWorks Skills on Your Resume

3. PeopleSoft

PeopleSoft is a comprehensive software suite used by academic institutions to manage administrative functions, including student information, academic advising, registration, and financial aid. For an Academic Advisor, it provides tools to track student progress, manage advising appointments, and access academic records.

Why It's Important

PeopleSoft is important for an Academic Advisor because it provides a comprehensive, integrated system to manage student information and academic records efficiently, facilitating personalized advising, tracking student progress, and enhancing decision-making to support student success.

How to Improve PeopleSoft Skills

To improve PeopleSoft for an Academic Advisor, consider implementing these strategies:

1. Customize User Interface: Streamline the user interface specifically for Academic Advisors to ensure quick access to frequently used functions. Oracle's Page and Field Configurator can help customize UI without extensive coding.

2. Integrate with Academic Tools: Use PeopleSoft Integration Broker to seamlessly integrate with external academic tools like Learning Management Systems (LMS) for a unified advising experience.

3. Enhance Reporting Capabilities: Utilize Oracle's BI Publisher for advanced reporting and analytics, enabling advisors to generate insightful academic reports efficiently.

4. Automate Routine Tasks: Implement PeopleSoft's Workflow Technology to automate common tasks like course approvals, reducing manual work and focusing on advising.

5. Training and Support: Encourage ongoing training and provide resources through Oracle's PeopleSoft Information Portal to ensure advisors are up-to-date with system capabilities and best practices.

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance the functionality and efficiency of PeopleSoft for Academic Advisors, leading to improved advising processes and student outcomes.

How to Display PeopleSoft Skills on Your Resume

4. Academic Coaching

Academic Coaching is a personalized, collaborative service where coaches work with students to develop skills, strategies, and behaviors that promote academic success, such as time management, effective study techniques, and goal setting, enhancing their overall academic performance and persistence towards achieving their educational objectives.

Why It's Important

Academic coaching is crucial as it empowers students to develop essential skills such as time management, effective study techniques, and goal setting. It fosters self-awareness and accountability, enabling students to navigate academic challenges more efficiently and achieve their educational objectives. For an Academic Advisor, it represents a proactive approach to support students' academic progress and personal development, ensuring they are well-equipped to succeed in their academic journey and beyond.

How to Improve Academic Coaching Skills

Improving academic coaching involves a strategic approach focusing on enhancing the advisor-student relationship, utilizing evidence-based strategies, and fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal growth. Here are concise strategies for Academic Advisors:

1. Build Strong Relationships: Establish trust and open communication with students. Active listening and empathy are crucial in understanding their academic needs and personal challenges.

2. Set Clear Goals: Work with students to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) that are aligned with their academic and career aspirations.

3. Develop Action Plans: Create detailed action plans that outline steps to achieve the set goals. Include deadlines and accountability measures to keep students on track.

4. Utilize Technology: Integrate educational technology tools that facilitate academic planning, tracking progress, and fostering interactive learning experiences.

5. Encourage Self-Reflection: Promote the practice of self-reflection among students to enhance self-awareness and personal growth. This helps them understand their learning styles, strengths, and areas for improvement.

6. Provide Resources and Support: Direct students to academic resources, such as tutoring services, writing centers, and time management tools. Encourage the use of support services for mental health and well-being.

7. Foster a Growth Mindset: Encourage a growth mindset in students, emphasizing that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence.

8. Continuous Professional Development: Stay updated with the latest in academic advising and coaching by engaging in professional development opportunities. This ensures advisors are equipped with the most effective strategies and tools.

By implementing these strategies, Academic Advisors can enhance their coaching effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the academic success and personal growth of their students.

How to Display Academic Coaching Skills on Your Resume

5. FERPA Compliance

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) compliance for an Academic Advisor means ensuring the confidentiality and privacy of student education records, only sharing information with authorized individuals, and providing students access to their own educational records upon request.

Why It's Important

FERPA compliance is crucial for an Academic Advisor as it ensures the protection and confidentiality of student education records, fostering trust and compliance with federal law.

How to Improve FERPA Compliance Skills

Improving FERPA compliance as an Academic Advisor involves understanding the regulations, implementing best practices for handling educational records, and ensuring secure communication. Here are concise steps:

1. Educate Yourself and Stay Informed: Begin by thoroughly understanding FERPA regulations. The U.S. Department of Education provides extensive resources.

2. Secure Student Records: Implement secure storage and access protocols for student information. Electronic records should be encrypted, and physical records locked. Guidelines on secure data handling are available at EDUCAUSE.

3. Ensure Secure Communication: Use secure platforms for discussing student information. Confidential information should not be shared via unencrypted emails or unauthorized platforms. Familiarize yourself with your institution's approved communication tools.

4. Obtain Consent for Disclosures: Always get written consent from students before releasing their educational records, unless the disclosure meets a lawful exception under FERPA. The Family Policy Compliance Office outlines these exceptions.

5. Train and Educate Staff: Regularly train staff and faculty involved in handling student records on FERPA compliance. The National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) offers resources and webinars.

6. Review and Update Policies: Regularly review and update your institution's privacy policies and procedures to ensure they align with the latest FERPA regulations.

7. Conduct Regular Audits: Perform regular audits of FERPA compliance practices to identify and rectify potential vulnerabilities.

By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you can significantly improve FERPA compliance within your role as an Academic Advisor.

How to Display FERPA Compliance Skills on Your Resume

6. Student Retention Strategies

Student retention strategies refer to the methods and practices academic advisors and institutions use to support and ensure students continue their education and do not drop out. These strategies typically involve identifying students at risk of leaving, understanding their challenges, and providing targeted support, guidance, and resources to address academic, financial, personal, or social barriers to their success.

Why It's Important

Student retention strategies are crucial for academic advisors as they enhance student success and satisfaction, reduce dropout rates, and improve institutional reputation and financial stability by maintaining enrollment levels.

How to Improve Student Retention Strategies Skills

Improving student retention strategies as an Academic Advisor involves a multifaceted approach focusing on personalized support, early intervention, and fostering a sense of community. Here's a concise guide:

1. Early Identification & Support: Use data analytics to identify at-risk students early in their academic journey and provide targeted support. National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) offers insights on implementing early alert systems.

2. Personalized Advising: Develop a more personalized advising approach by understanding each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and personal circumstances. The American Academic Advising Association's resources can be a great starting point.

3. Enhance Academic Engagement: Encourage active learning and engagement by connecting students with study groups, tutoring, and workshops. The College Board provides strategies for improving engagement.

4. Build a Sense of Community: Foster a supportive campus culture by promoting student involvement in clubs, organizations, and events. ASCD emphasizes the importance of engagement in retention.

5. Offer Career Guidance: Help students see the connection between their studies and future career paths. Resources from The National Career Development Association (NCDA) can aid in integrating career guidance.

6. Financial Support and Advising: Provide clear information and advising on financial aid, scholarships, and budget management to alleviate financial stressors. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) offers tools and tips for financial aid advising.

7. Mental Health and Well-being: Promote mental health resources and create an environment where students feel supported in seeking help. Active Minds has resources aimed at improving student mental health.

Implementing a combination of these strategies can significantly enhance student retention by addressing academic, financial, and personal challenges.

How to Display Student Retention Strategies Skills on Your Resume

7. Career Counseling

Career counseling, in the context of an Academic Advisor, involves providing guidance and support to students in making informed decisions about their educational and career paths, aligning their academic choices with their long-term career goals.

Why It's Important

Career counseling is important as it provides students with guidance and insights into their strengths, interests, and values, helping them make informed decisions about their education and career paths. It assists in aligning their academic choices with their long-term career goals, ensuring a more focused and fulfilling educational experience.

How to Improve Career Counseling Skills

Improving career counseling, especially for an Academic Advisor, involves a multi-faceted approach focusing on enhancing communication skills, staying updated with industry trends, and leveraging technology. Here's a concise guide:

1. Enhance Active Listening and Empathy: Improve your ability to understand students' needs and aspirations by practicing active listening and empathy, essential for building trust and rapport.

2. Stay Informed About Industry Trends: Keep abreast of the latest trends in various industries. Websites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor provide insights into job markets, helping you offer relevant advice.

3. Utilize Career Assessment Tools: Incorporate career assessment tools to help students understand their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of interest. This can guide them in choosing a suitable career path.

4. Develop Networking Skills: Teach students the importance of networking. Encourage them to use platforms like LinkedIn for professional networking and to attend industry-related events.

5. Leverage Technology: Utilize career counseling software and platforms to streamline the advising process. Tools like Naviance for high school students or Handshake for college students can significantly enhance the advising experience.

6. Continuous Professional Development: Regularly participate in workshops, webinars, and courses to enhance your skills as a career counselor. Platforms like Coursera and edX offer courses related to career counseling and academic advising.

By focusing on these key areas, Academic Advisors can significantly improve the quality of career counseling they provide, ensuring students are well-prepared to make informed decisions about their futures.

How to Display Career Counseling Skills on Your Resume

8. Data Analysis (Excel)

Data Analysis in Excel is a process where an Academic Advisor utilizes Excel's tools and functions to collect, process, and analyze student data to identify trends, make informed decisions, and enhance academic planning and support strategies.

Why It's Important

Data analysis using Excel is crucial for an Academic Advisor as it enables the effective tracking and evaluation of student performance, trends, and outcomes. This facilitates informed decision-making and personalized guidance, enhancing student success and academic planning.

How to Improve Data Analysis (Excel) Skills

Improving data analysis in Excel for an Academic Advisor involves enhancing skills in data organization, visualization, and interpretation. Here are concise tips:

1. Master Excel Functions: Focus on functions relevant to data analysis such as VLOOKUP, INDEX(MATCH), and pivot tables for summarizing data efficiently. Microsoft's guide on Excel functions is a good starting point.

2. Data Visualization: Utilize Excel's charting features to create graphs that effectively communicate trends and patterns. The Excel Charts and Graphs tutorial offers insights into making impactful visualizations.

3. Data Cleaning: Learn to clean and preprocess data to ensure accuracy in your analysis. Techniques include removing duplicates, fixing errors, and standardizing data formats. Excel's Data Cleaning guide provides practical approaches.

4. Advanced Excel Features: Explore advanced features like conditional formatting for insights at a glance, and macros for automating repetitive tasks. The Microsoft Excel Conditional Formatting and Automate tasks with macros pages are useful.

5. Continuous Learning: Excel is constantly evolving, so staying updated with the latest features and best practices is crucial. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer Excel courses tailored to various proficiency levels.

6. Data Analysis Techniques: Understand basic statistical methods and how they can be applied using Excel for more effective data interpretation. The Real Statistics Using Excel website is a valuable resource.

Enhancing your Excel skills as an Academic Advisor will allow for more efficient tracking of student data, performance analysis, and decision-making based on accurate, data-driven insights.

How to Display Data Analysis (Excel) Skills on Your Resume

9. CRM Systems (Salesforce)

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, like Salesforce, are digital platforms designed to manage and improve interactions with current and potential clients or students. For an Academic Advisor, it streamlines tracking student information, communication history, and academic progress, facilitating personalized support and engagement strategies.

Why It's Important

CRM systems like Salesforce are important for Academic Advisors because they streamline student information management, enabling personalized advising, efficient tracking of academic progress, and effective communication, ultimately enhancing student success and satisfaction.

How to Improve CRM Systems (Salesforce) Skills

To enhance CRM systems like Salesforce for an Academic Advisor, focus on customization, integration, automation, and training, ensuring the system aligns with the specific needs of academic advising.

1. Customization: Tailor Salesforce features to match the unique requirements of academic advising. Create custom fields and objects to track student interactions, academic progress, and advising sessions. Salesforce Customization Guide.

2. Integration: Connect Salesforce with other platforms used by academic advisors, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or student information systems, to have a centralized view of student data. Explore Salesforce Integration.

3. Automation: Utilize Salesforce's automation tools to streamline scheduling, follow-ups, and communication with students. This improves efficiency and ensures timely engagement. Learn about Process Automation.

4. Training and Support: Provide ongoing training and support for academic advisors to fully leverage Salesforce's capabilities, ensuring they are comfortable and proficient in using the system. Salesforce offers a range of training options.

By focusing on these areas, academic advisors can significantly improve their efficiency and effectiveness in supporting students through Salesforce.

How to Display CRM Systems (Salesforce) Skills on Your Resume

10. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the process of addressing and resolving disagreements or disputes in a constructive manner to find mutually acceptable solutions, aiming to maintain positive relationships. For an Academic Advisor, it involves mediating conflicts between students and faculty, or addressing academic issues, ensuring a supportive and effective educational environment.

Why It's Important

Conflict resolution is essential for an Academic Advisor as it ensures a harmonious and productive educational environment, facilitating effective communication, fostering mutual respect, and supporting students' academic and personal growth.

How to Improve Conflict Resolution Skills

Improving conflict resolution, especially for an Academic Advisor, involves clear communication, active listening, empathy, and a structured approach. Here are concise steps to enhance these skills:

1. Active Listening: Truly understand the concerns and viewpoints of all parties involved. MindTools provides techniques to improve active listening.

2. Empathy: Show genuine empathy towards the student's situation to build trust. Verywell Mind offers insights on how to convey empathy effectively.

3. Clear Communication: Use clear, concise, and positive language to avoid misunderstandings. HelpGuide shares strategies for better communication.

4. Structured Approach: Implement a step-by-step process for conflict resolution, ensuring a fair and systematic handling of the issue. The Harvard Law School elaborates on conflict resolution strategies.

5. Seek Feedback and Reflect: Post-resolution, seek feedback and reflect on the process to identify areas for improvement. Continuous learning is key.

By focusing on these areas, an Academic Advisor can effectively manage and resolve conflicts, fostering a positive environment for both students and staff.

How to Display Conflict Resolution Skills on Your Resume

11. Time Management

Time management, for an Academic Advisor, entails efficiently organizing and allocating their hours to prioritize and address student needs, administrative tasks, and professional development activities within limited working hours to optimize productivity and service quality.

Why It's Important

Time management is crucial for academic advisors as it enables them to efficiently balance their diverse responsibilities, prioritize student needs, and deliver timely guidance, ultimately enhancing the educational experience and success of their advisees.

How to Improve Time Management Skills

Improving time management, especially for an Academic Advisor, involves prioritizing tasks, using digital tools, and setting clear goals. Here's a concise guide:

1. Prioritize Tasks: Use the Eisenhower Box technique to categorize tasks by urgency and importance, focusing on what truly matters. Eisenhower Box Explanation.

2. Leverage Digital Tools: Adopt digital calendars and task management apps like Google Calendar and Trello. They help in scheduling and tracking tasks efficiently. Google Calendar, Trello.

3. Set Clear Goals: Define SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for both short-term and long-term plans. This clarifies what you aim to achieve within a specific timeframe. SMART Goals Guide.

4. Limit Multitasking: Focus on single tasks to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Multitasking can decrease productivity and increase stress. Multitasking Research.

5. Schedule Breaks: Regular breaks enhance cognitive performance and prevent burnout. The Pomodoro Technique is a great method to incorporate breaks effectively. Pomodoro Technique.

Remember, consistent application and adaptation of these strategies to your specific context as an Academic Advisor are key to improving time management skills.

How to Display Time Management Skills on Your Resume

12. Multicultural Competency

Multicultural Competency refers to an academic advisor's ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, recognizing and respecting their different perspectives, values, and practices to provide equitable and inclusive guidance and support.

Why It's Important

Multicultural competency is essential for an Academic Advisor as it enables effective communication and understanding across diverse student backgrounds, ensuring equitable support, fostering an inclusive environment, and enhancing students' academic and personal development by acknowledging and respecting their unique cultural perspectives.

How to Improve Multicultural Competency Skills

Improving Multicultural Competency, especially for an Academic Advisor, involves continuous learning, reflection, and application. Here's a concise guide:

1. Educate Yourself: Continuously expand your knowledge about different cultures, identities, and experiences through books, articles, and courses. Harvard University and Coursera offer relevant resources and courses.

2. Engage in Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your biases, assumptions, and behaviors. Tools like Project Implicit can help uncover implicit biases.

3. Seek Feedback: Encourage feedback from colleagues and students from diverse backgrounds. This can highlight areas for improvement that you might not see on your own.

4. Participate in Workshops and Training: Attend workshops and training sessions on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many universities and organizations, such as the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), offer these opportunities.

5. Apply Your Knowledge: Integrate your learning into your advising practices. Tailor your approach to meet the unique cultural and individual needs of each student.

6. Network and Collaborate: Join forums and networks of academic advisors focused on multicultural competency, like the Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA), to share experiences and strategies.

By following these steps and actively seeking to improve, Academic Advisors can enhance their multicultural competency, leading to more inclusive and effective advising.

How to Display Multicultural Competency Skills on Your Resume