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Career services advisor vs program advisor

The differences between career services advisors and program advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program advisor has an average salary of $55,656, 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 a program advisor are customer service, persistence, and intellectual disabilities.

Career services advisor vs program advisor overview

Career Services AdvisorProgram Advisor
Yearly salary$45,563$55,656
Hourly rate$21.91$26.76
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs92,108109,307
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 a program advisor do?

A program advisor is in charge of overseeing programs from planning to execution, ensuring everything functions according to its goals and guidelines. Although their responsibilities depend on their line of work and industry of employment, it typically involves performing research and analysis to find new opportunities and determine ideal practices, gathering and analyzing client feedback, setting objectives, and developing strategies to carry out the purpose of every program, prioritizing optimal services. Moreover, a program advisor must monitor the progress of all operations, recommending solutions should any problems arise.

Career services advisor vs program advisor salary

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

Career Services AdvisorProgram Advisor
Average salary$45,563$55,656
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $69,000Between $32,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNorthern TrustApple
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between career services advisor and program advisor education

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

Career Services AdvisorProgram Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Career services advisor vs program advisor demographics

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

Career Services AdvisorProgram Advisor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 27.9% Female, 72.1%Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2%
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 program advisor 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.

Program advisor example responsibilities.

  • Study and implement marketing through Facebook and other various websites which generate sales leads.
  • Manage UAFS's F-1/J-1 student visa SEVIS compliance as DSO/ARO, ensuring all documentation is in order prior to students arriving.
  • Train office staff and first-year graduate assistant on proper usage of PeopleSoft software.
  • Determine eligibility for WIOA training funds (unemploy, under employed/food stamp program).
  • Interview and investigate applicants for WIOA services and gather information pertinent to their applications.
  • Help develop resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles for students at the college.
  • Show more

Career services advisor vs program advisor skills

Common career services advisor skills
  • Career Services, 17%
  • Alumni, 11%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Career Fairs, 5%
Common program advisor skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Persistence, 11%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 8%
  • Veterans, 8%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%

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