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What does a peer mentor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Peer mentor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real peer mentor resumes:

  • 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.
  • Disseminate information via Facebook and create cross platform engagement.
  • Present PowerPoint workshops to students; assist counselors during classroom presentations.
  • Offer advice to current university students and tutor advanced and apply mathematics.
  • Conduct registration workshops using PowerPoint for the incoming and first semester freshman population.
  • Present topic specific lectures and facilitate class meeting discussions using icebreakers and study tools.
  • Implement academic programs, study groups for students and facilitate student events & educational programming.
  • Tutor and mentor students in college level anatomy and physiology, chemistry, respiratory therapy.
  • Develop significant leadership and organizational (management, interpersonal, administrative, public relations, etc . )
  • Mentore student-athletes in areas regarding self-advocacy, academic success, organization, communication, and transitional leadership development.

Peer mentor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Peer Mentors are proficient in Mental Health, Role Model, and Mathematics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.

We break down the percentage of Peer Mentors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Mental Health, 11%

    Participate in annual Walk-A-Mile to enhance legislative awareness of Mental Health Stigmas and promote awareness.

  • Role Model, 8%

    Tutored and served as activity role model for students with mental/physical disabilities

  • Mathematics, 6%

    Mentored and assisted undergraduate students with difficulties in Mathematics specifically College Algebra.

  • GPA, 5%

    Succeeded in transitioning four underage International students to American college life and helped them to maintain 3.80 GPA and above.

  • Peer Support, 5%

    Provide in-home peer support services to intellectually and/or emotionally disabled individuals

  • Academic Support, 5%

    Supported first-year honors students by connecting them to academic support, faculty research opportunities, disability services, and social-emotional resources

Most peer mentors use their skills in "mental health," "role model," and "mathematics" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential peer mentor responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a peer mentor to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "school and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers. ." Additionally, a peer mentor resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "collected, analyzed, and verified financial aid data and documents submitted by students. "

Listening skills. Many peer mentor duties rely on listening skills. "school and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems.," so a peer mentor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways peer mentor responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated resources and support services to new students. "

Speaking skills. peer mentors are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to peer mentor responsibilities, because "school and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students." A peer mentor resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "presented a positive image of the school by being a role model. "

Compassion. peer mentor responsibilities often require "compassion." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "school and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students." This resume example shows what peer mentors do with compassion on a typical day: "serve as a positive role model exhibiting behaviors like integrity, compassion, open-mindedness and a strong work ethic. "

Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for peer mentor responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of peer mentors all the time, as "school and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities." An excerpt from a real peer mentor resume shows how this skill is central to what a peer mentor does: "selected on basis of strong interpersonal skills to not only mentor freshman students but to also serve as a role model. "

See the full list of peer mentor skills

The three companies that hire the most peer mentors are:

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Compare different peer mentors

Peer mentor vs. Admissions counselor

An admissions counselor is the primary point of contact between a university or college and their potential students. One of their primary responsibilities is to represent the school during various events for recruitment purposes, discuss the admission procedures to the students and their families through calls or appointments, and facilitate university tours and orientation among prospective students. Furthermore, they must gather applicants' requirements, verify their authenticity, and determine if they are qualified for the institution. They may also decide student admissions, all while adhering to the college's policies and guidelines.

We looked at the average peer mentor salary and compared it with the wages of an admissions counselor. Generally speaking, admissions counselors are paid $10,882 higher than peer mentors per year.Even though peer mentors and admissions counselors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require financial aid, scholarship, and educational programs in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a peer mentor are more likely to require skills like "mental health," "role model," "mathematics," and "gpa." On the other hand, a job as an admissions counselor requires skills like "customer service," "patients," "social work," and "admissions process." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Admissions counselors really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $41,517. Comparatively, peer mentors tend to make the most money in the non profits industry with an average salary of $30,162.On average, admissions counselors reach higher levels of education than peer mentors. Admissions counselors are 9.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Peer mentor vs. Education internship

An education intern is responsible for assisting class activities, teaching students with various learning methodologies under a head instructor's supervision. Education interns create comprehensive lesson plans subject for the teacher's review and develop engaging activities and learning materials to create an active learning environment to monitor the students' personal and social development. They assist the students with their needs, such as identifying their areas of improvement, planning strategies to address those difficulties, and strictly adhering to the school policies.

A career as a education internship brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a peer mentor. In fact, education interns salary is $6,164 higher than the salary of peer mentors per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Peer mentors and education interns both require similar skills like "mathematics," "community resources," and "training sessions" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that peer mentor responsibilities requires skills like "mental health," "role model," "gpa," and "peer support." But an education internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "education programs," "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "community outreach."

Education interns may earn a higher salary than peer mentors, but education interns earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $43,410. On the other hand, peer mentors receive higher pay in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,162.In general, education interns achieve higher levels of education than peer mentors. They're 6.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Peer mentor vs. Education consultant

An education consultant is responsible for providing educational assistance to learning institutions or a private household setting. Educational consultants develop strategies to improve a student's learning approach and academic standing. They also assist with the implementation of the learning curriculum, suggesting plans and revisions to meet students' competencies and the instructors' teaching styles. Educational consultants evaluate learning materials, school's operational data, and educational training and programs to ensure adherence to federal standards. An education consultant must have excellent communication skills, as well as expertise in the education industry to perform duties efficiently.

On average, education consultants earn higher salaries than peer mentors, with a $51,192 difference per year.peer mentors and education consultants both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "mathematics," "training sessions," and "financial aid," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from peer mentor resumes include skills like "mental health," "role model," "gpa," and "peer support," whereas an education consultant is more likely to list skills in "excellent interpersonal," "classroom management," "curriculum development," and "data analysis. "

Education consultants earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $96,551. Comparatively, peer mentors have the highest earning potential in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $30,162.Most education consultants achieve a higher degree level compared to peer mentors. For example, they're 21.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Peer mentor vs. Job coach

A job coach is responsible for evaluating people's skills and qualifications, advising them with career paths, helping with their aspirations, and promote employment opportunities. Job coaches help the clients build self-confidence and explore their maximum potentials to develop their professional growth. They provide counseling, understanding the clients' strengths and weaknesses, analyzing clients' personal goals, and guiding clients through job interviews and assessments. A job coach must have excellent communication, listening, and analytical skills to handle their clients' challenges and match their interests for the best career suited for them.

Job coaches average a higher salary than the annual salary of peer mentors. The difference is about $8,956 per year.While both peer mentors and job coaches complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like mental health, community resources, and support services, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "role model," "mathematics," "gpa," and "peer support" are skills that commonly show up on peer mentor resumes. On the other hand, job coaches use skills like developmental disabilities, cpr, rehabilitation, and customer service on their resumes.In general, job coaches earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $38,362. The highest-paying industry for a peer mentor is the non profits industry.In general, job coaches hold similar degree levels compared to peer mentors. Job coaches are 2.8% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of peer mentor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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