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Career developer vs academic adviser

The differences between career developers and academic advisers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic adviser has an average salary of $46,729, which is higher than the $45,445 average annual salary of a career developer.

The top three skills for a career developer include leadership development, career development and leadership. The most important skills for an academic adviser are customer service, student services, and financial aid.

Career developer vs academic adviser overview

Career DeveloperAcademic Adviser
Yearly salary$45,445$46,729
Hourly rate$21.85$22.47
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs80,50323,208
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a career developer do?

A career developer helps individuals in developing strategies for career growth. Most career developers work at learning institutions where they help students find career opportunities. Typically, their responsibilities include conducting interviews and assessments to identify the students' career goals, providing advice and insights, reaching out to external parties on behalf of the students, and referring students to various services. Moreover, a career developer must encourage students to reach their goals and potentials, building their confidence along the way.

What does an academic adviser do?

An academic adviser is responsible for managing the students' educational goals and future career aspirations by encouraging them to join scholastic activities, conducting one-on-one discussions to identify their challenges and areas of improvement, and developing educational plans to address possible difficulties. Academic advisers also monitor the students' interests and abilities for a career setting, track the students' progress, and create engaging activities to observe the students' personal and social behavior. An academic adviser must have excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of teaching principles and disciplines to handle different personalities.

Career developer vs academic adviser salary

Career developers and academic advisers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Career DeveloperAcademic Adviser
Average salary$45,445$46,729
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $70,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-New York Film Academy
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between career developer and academic adviser education

There are a few differences between a career developer and an academic adviser in terms of educational background:

Career DeveloperAcademic Adviser
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Career developer vs academic adviser demographics

Here are the differences between career developers' and academic advisers' demographics:

Career DeveloperAcademic Adviser
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between career developer and academic adviser duties and responsibilities

Career developer example responsibilities.

  • Assist customers at teller windows.
  • Assist them in obtaining their GED and furthering their education.
  • Provide case management services to youth working to obtain a GED.
  • Create a social media presence on Facebook and administer the page.
  • Ensure that WIA youth meet their goals by conducting one-on-one counseling and group education/support sessions.
  • Attend leadership conferences to enhance knowledge of managerial responsibilities.
  • Show more

Academic adviser example responsibilities.

  • Coach and mentore students in determining optimal course of study to achieve specific career performance goals and certifications.
  • Interpret student records such as transcripts and IEP's.
  • Collect and analyze data for behaviors and IEP objectives.
  • Direct a team of four ESL teachers, implement school policies, teaching schedules, and activities clubs.
  • Organize all freshman and parent oreintation programs, assist in the freshman experience class, advise all undeclare students.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations used for curriculum development.
  • Show more

Career developer vs academic adviser skills

Common career developer skills
  • Leadership Development, 42%
  • Career Development, 33%
  • Leadership, 6%
  • Securities, 5%
  • Business Development, 3%
  • Training Programs, 1%
Common academic adviser skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Support Services, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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