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Career services advisor vs academic counselor

The differences between career services advisors and academic counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic counselor has an average salary of $47,454, which is higher than the $45,563 average annual salary of a career services advisor.

The top three skills for a career services advisor include career services, alumni and customer service. The most important skills for an academic counselor are financial aid, academic support, and student services.

Career services advisor vs academic counselor overview

Career Services AdvisorAcademic Counselor
Yearly salary$45,563$47,454
Hourly rate$21.91$22.81
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs92,10839,084
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a career services advisor do?

The job of a career services advisor is to work with groups and individuals in determining skills and strengthen recruitment potential. Career services advisors maintain web and print resources for employers and students. They administer the career evaluations of individuals, and teach them about resume writing and interviewing for jobs. They make a resolution for issues associated with employment. Their job involves developing and managing parent volunteer groups implementing an assessment process for feedback from students and speakers.

What does an academic counselor do?

In high schools and universities, an academic counselor specializes in providing counseling and consultations to students, focusing on their educational and career growth. They typically meet with students to discuss their short and long term goals and help by providing them with insights and information or referring them to other services and resources. Moreover, an academic counselor must assist students by addressing their issues and concerns, giving them emotional support and academic advice, and helping them navigate through various procedures.

Career services advisor vs academic counselor salary

Career services advisors and academic counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Career Services AdvisorAcademic Counselor
Average salary$45,563$47,454
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $69,000Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyNorthern TrustCalifornia College of the Arts
Best paying industryEducationNon Profits

Differences between career services advisor and academic counselor education

There are a few differences between a career services advisor and an academic counselor in terms of educational background:

Career Services AdvisorAcademic Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Career services advisor vs academic counselor demographics

Here are the differences between career services advisors' and academic counselors' demographics:

Career Services AdvisorAcademic Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 27.9% Female, 72.1%Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
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 services advisor and academic counselor duties and responsibilities

Career services advisor example responsibilities.

  • Assist graduating students and alumni in securing employment by developing industry relationships, communicating opportunities and providing guidance and resources.
  • Pursue employers for job opportunities on behalf of current students and alumni by conducting corporate development regularly and attending corporate visits.
  • Work with individuals and organizations to provide leadership development coaching and career counseling.
  • Exceed expectation of both program participants and company leadership when facilitating workshops and seminars.

Academic counselor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Salesforce to manage advertising programs for business owners.
  • Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
  • Test PeopleSoft upgrades and provide suggestions.
  • Tutor introductory biology, chemistry, psychology and remedial mathematics.
  • Guide older students in navigating PeopleSoft application to access portal for online registrations.
  • Navigate the college process through the CUNY, SUNY, and common application.
  • Show more

Career services advisor vs academic counselor skills

Common career services advisor skills
  • Career Services, 17%
  • Alumni, 11%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Career Fairs, 5%
Common academic counselor skills
  • Financial Aid, 9%
  • Academic Support, 8%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Athletes, 5%
  • Academic Advisement, 5%

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