What does a student services specialist do?
Student Services Specialists are professionals who work at universities and colleges to provide student admissions services and input application data and academic records into the student records database. These specialists are required to maintain student application and permanent record files while updating their information on the computer when necessary. They must provide their students as well as staff members with the policies and procedures of the institution. Student Services Specialists are also required to assist in maintaining an adequate supply of textbooks by conducting inventory.
Student services specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real student services specialist resumes:
- Manage and coordinate all aspects of EOF program special events and leadership-relate activities.
- Serve as DSO (designate school official) for the U.S.
- Process requests via phone, fax, and email within FERPA guidelines.
- Respond to campus and student inquiries, emails, and phone calls on a daily basis.
- Design and fabricate a modele airplane to study lift and drag using Vicon motion capture cameras system.
- Assist in the UTSA branding initiatives to design academic coursework as pathway to career options and ladder advancement.
- Monitor and coordinate the processing of verification and certification changes need due to eligibility changes resulting from FAFSA data changes.
- Utilize FERPA and maintain confidentiality regarding student records.
- Help facilitate learning in a small group or one-on-one settings and encourage development of proper organization and study habits.
- Serve as liaison between EOF, CSE, and community agencies.
- Supply admission information and general facts about Baylor to interest students and families.
Student services specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 27% of Student Services Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Support Services, and Social Work. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Speaking skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Student Services Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 27%
Provided quality customer service by maintaining professional and friendly attitude at all times.
- Support Services, 5%
Identified research-based school intervention strategies and best practices for dropout prevention and developing technical support services for schools and divisions.
- Social Work, 5%
Worked directly with the Child Guidance Specialist, Title 1 social worker, and student assistance team.
- Phone Calls, 5%
Case noting, and updating systems with documentation of degree plan advising sessions, emails, and phone calls.
- Data Entry, 5%
Maintain accuracy of data entry of third party invoicing, student billings and verification of registrations within a timely manner.
- Financial Aid, 5%
Worked closely with students explaining the financial aid process and determining eligibility based on the current federal/institutional stipulations.
"customer service," "support services," and "social work" are among the most common skills that student services specialists use at work. You can find even more student services specialist responsibilities below, including:
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a student services specialist to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "school and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems." Additionally, a student services specialist resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "communicated with students, faculty and staff via multiple outlets concerning accounts and financial aid knowledge. "
Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform student services specialist duties is speaking skills. Student services specialists responsibilities require that "school and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students." Student services specialists also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "cultivate student leadership and provide academic support, advising, and career counseling to underrepresented students. "
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of student services specialists is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday student services specialist duties, as "school and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers. ." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "inputted receipt of academic transcripts and application materials for non-applicants and applications using data entry procedures. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain student services specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a student services specialist rely on this skill, as "school and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what student services specialists do: "promoted bgsu to prospective multicultural students facilitating panel discussions, and interpersonal communication. "
The three companies that hire the most student services specialists are:
- Iowa State University4 student services specialists jobs
- University of Oklahoma3 student services specialists jobs
- Laramie County Community College3 student services specialists jobs
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Compare different student services specialists
Student services specialist 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a student services specialist are more likely to require skills like "social work," "phone calls," "data entry," and "financial aid." On the other hand, a job as a job coach requires skills like "developmental disabilities," "cpr," "rehabilitation," and "mental health." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Job coaches earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,362. On the other hand, student services specialists are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $38,217.The education levels that job coaches earn slightly differ from student services specialists. In particular, job coaches are 7.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a student services specialist. Additionally, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student services specialist vs. School counselor
A school counselor is responsible for monitoring the students' social and personal development, advising them of their career aspirations, and assisting them with their academic achievements and goals. School counselors also ensure that the students receive the highest learning standards to pave their way towards society's advancement and global competitiveness. They evaluate students' behavior through personal counseling, understanding their challenges, and develop strategies to overcome their needs. A school counselor must have excellent communication and decision-making skills, supporting students with their goals, and honing their skills efficiently.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, student services specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "support services," "phone calls," and "data entry." Meanwhile, a school counselor has duties that require skills in areas such as "mental health," "crisis intervention," "behavioral issues," and "cpr." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, school counselors earn a higher salary than student services specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, school counselors earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $52,385. Whereas student services specialists have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $38,217.Average education levels between the two professions vary. School counselors tend to reach higher levels of education than student services specialists. In fact, they're 19.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for student services specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Crisanne Blackie
Director of Career Center, University of Maine
Student services specialist vs. Admissions representative
As the name entails, admissions representatives assist prospective and new students attending a university. They give these students the information they need to make a well-informed decision regarding enrollment, make admissions decisions, and review documents. It is also their job to decide which students need to be followed up, ask students their choices, and hold new and prospective students to deadlines. They may be assigned to several areas depending on the department's needs, including prospect management, graduate admissions, and undergraduate admissions.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from student services specialist resumes include skills like "support services," "social work," "data entry," and "front desk," whereas an admissions representative is more likely to list skills in "patients," "conduct interviews," "insurance verification," and "schedule appointments. "
Admissions representatives make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $50,011. On the other hand, student services specialists are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $38,217.When it comes to education, admissions representatives tend to earn lower degree levels compared to student services specialists. In fact, they're 5.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Student services specialist vs. Peer mentor
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.
Types of student services specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
