Student dean vs career services director

The differences between student deans and career services directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a student dean and a career services director. Additionally, a career services director has an average salary of $63,640, which is higher than the $59,497 average annual salary of a student dean.

The top three skills for a student dean include behavior issues, staff development and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a career services director are alumni, career development, and career fairs.

Student dean vs career services director overview

	Student Dean	Career Services Director
Yearly salary	$59,497	$63,640
Hourly rate	$28.60	$30.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	10,422	58,546
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a student dean do?

A Student Dean is focused on responding to students' needs at a college or university. They plan and direct university activities related to student services and campus life.

What does a career services director do?

A career services director spearheads and oversees the operations of an organization, ensuring clients get to receive optimal services. They have the power to set goals and timelines, establish guidelines and budgets, streamline career program roadmaps, coordinate managers and teams, and make decisions. They also communicate with external and internal parties, building positive relationships with clients and business partners. Moreover, a career services director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the organizations' policies and regulations.

Student dean vs career services director salary

Student deans and career services directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Student Dean	Career Services Director
Average salary	$59,497	$63,640
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $109,000	Between $45,000 And $88,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Toms River, NJ
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Dawson School	Bain & Company
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between student dean and career services director education

There are a few differences between a student dean and a career services director in terms of educational background:

	Student Dean	Career Services Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Educational Leadership	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Student dean vs career services director demographics

Here are the differences between student deans' and career services directors' demographics:

	Student Dean	Career Services Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%	Male, 34.0% Female, 66.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between student dean and career services director duties and responsibilities

Student dean example responsibilities.

Implement recruitment efforts with local schools and colleges.
Assist with tours of various HBCU and non-HBCU colleges and universities.
Foster a positive school culture through oversight of social activities including talent shows, prep rallies and community meetings.
Provide comprehensive oversight and direction.
Foster positive campus climate for very diverse student population.
Work cooperatively with other administrators to promote student success and a positive campus climate.

Career services director example responsibilities.

Support and oversee students from colleges across the country as they organize and lead interfaith service programming on their own campuses.
Facilitate the connection between employers seeking graduating seniors and alumni who are interest in securing career employment.
Counsele law students and alumni regarding legal and alternate career opportunities and job search strategy including resume and cover letter preparation.
Perform agency contact, outreach, and follow up services for disadvantage TANF clients
Create PowerPoint presentations for training each aspect of career development.
Develop and present PowerPoint presentations for upcoming and current students.

Student dean vs career services director skills

Common student dean skills

Behavior Issues, 9%
Staff Development, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Student Achievement, 5%
Progress Monitoring, 5%
Student Services, 4%

Common career services director skills

Alumni, 21%
Career Development, 14%
Career Fairs, 9%
Mock Interviews, 5%
Career Planning, 4%
Student Placement, 4%

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Student Dean
Student Dean vs Career Services Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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