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Career developer vs student mentor

The differences between career developers and student mentors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a career developer has an average salary of $45,445, which is higher than the $33,392 average annual salary of a student mentor.

The top three skills for a career developer include leadership development, career development and leadership. The most important skills for a student mentor are role model, student life, and mathematics.

Career developer vs student mentor overview

Career DeveloperStudent Mentor
Yearly salary$45,445$33,392
Hourly rate$21.85$16.05
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs80,50318,591
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
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 a student mentor do?

A student mentor is responsible for guiding the students on their educational and professional development by encouraging the students to reach their maximum potential, helping them with their study habits and academic concerns. Student mentors widen the social connection of the students by recommending them to join school activities and other educational organizations. They analyze the students' strengths and weaknesses and implement strategies to address those difficulties. A student mentor also advises the students of their potential careers, considering their interests and social experience.

Career developer vs student mentor salary

Career developers and student mentors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Career DeveloperStudent Mentor
Average salary$45,445$33,392
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $70,000Between $23,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Research Foundation of The City University of New York
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between career developer and student mentor education

There are a few differences between a career developer and a student mentor in terms of educational background:

Career DeveloperStudent Mentor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Career developer vs student mentor demographics

Here are the differences between career developers' and student mentors' demographics:

Career DeveloperStudent Mentor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0%
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 student mentor 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

Student mentor example responsibilities.

  • Manage UAFS's F-1/J-1 student visa SEVIS compliance as DSO/ARO, ensuring all documentation is in order prior to students arriving.
  • Assist students with basic mathematics, general science and English (reading and writing )
  • Design and implement curriculum for gift elementary students in mathematics, language arts, and science
  • Facilitate workshops, group activities, annual leadership conferences, informational sessions, and presentations regarding available resources.
  • Mentore in core academic classes such as executive functioning, leadership, self-advocacy, social relationship building and independent living.
  • Develop engaging physics problems sets to demonstrate the use of calculus in physics.
  • Show more

Career developer vs student mentor skills

Common career developer skills
  • Leadership Development, 42%
  • Career Development, 33%
  • Leadership, 6%
  • Securities, 5%
  • Business Development, 3%
  • Training Programs, 1%
Common student mentor skills
  • Role Model, 26%
  • Student Life, 16%
  • Mathematics, 14%
  • Academic Support, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • GPA, 5%

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