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Peer mentor vs student advisor

The differences between peer mentors and student advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student advisor has an average salary of $41,418, which is higher than the $28,416 average annual salary of a peer mentor.

The top three skills for a peer mentor include mental health, role model and mathematics. The most important skills for a student advisor are customer service, student services, and international student.

Peer mentor vs student advisor overview

Peer MentorStudent Advisor
Yearly salary$28,416$41,418
Hourly rate$13.66$19.91
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs1,19956,492
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a peer mentor do?

A peer mentor is an individual who builds a relationship with another person or mentee who is new to the career or at the same level. Peer mentors must serve as a social role model and educate mentees on various resources and services. They coordinate and facilitate social programs and training and discuss any mentee concerns with the top management. Peer mentors are also required to maintain confidentiality with any shared information between mentors and mentees.

What does a student advisor do?

A student advisor is responsible for supporting the students' personal growth and development by guiding them on their learning processes and educational goals. Student advisors provide regular counseling for the students to analyze their career aspirations, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and strategize learning plans to address those difficulties. They also coordinate with the students' parents and guardians to report the students' progress and determine appropriate scholastic solutions. A student advisor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially when handling students' different needs and concerns.

Peer mentor vs student advisor salary

Peer mentors and student advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Peer MentorStudent Advisor
Average salary$28,416$41,418
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $37,000Between $31,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityBrockton, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew HampshireConnecticut
Best paying companySaint Xavier UniversityThe American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between peer mentor and student advisor education

There are a few differences between a peer mentor and a student advisor in terms of educational background:

Peer MentorStudent Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Peer mentor vs student advisor demographics

Here are the differences between peer mentors' and student advisors' demographics:

Peer MentorStudent Advisor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 37.7% Female, 62.3%Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
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 peer mentor and student advisor duties and responsibilities

Peer mentor example responsibilities.

  • Lead teens in improving their interpersonal relationships via education
  • Mentore and co-taught a class for incoming freshmen
  • Help students complete FAFSA applications, verification paperwork, and booking appointments.
  • Assist FYRST faculty with planning a syllabus, classroom presentations, events, and trips.
  • Conduct FAFSA workshops and assist students and parents with competing tax information need to complete the FAFSA application.
  • Assist students academically in medical and anatomy classes.
  • Show more

Student advisor example responsibilities.

  • Plan events, manage email and marketing advertisements via Facebook, answer phone calls.
  • Lead efforts facilitate recruitment and educational benefits for new and current student veterans at VCU.
  • Manage UAFS's F-1/J-1 student visa SEVIS compliance as DSO/ARO, ensuring all documentation is in order prior to students arriving.
  • Run training sessions and tutorials for students and faculty for the various services and programs offer by WestLaw.
  • Help veterans and/or their families with the G.I.
  • Specialize educator for students requiring RTI, IEP and gift services.
  • Show more

Peer mentor vs student advisor skills

Common peer mentor skills
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • GPA, 5%
  • Peer Support, 5%
  • Academic Support, 5%
Common student advisor skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • International Student, 6%
  • Support Services, 5%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Professional Development, 4%

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