Advisor in Spartanburg, South Carolina at Spartanburg Methodist College

Job Summary:

Advisors assist in increasing the academic success and retention rate of new students by helping students set and achieve academic, career, and personal goals. Advisors assist students in discovering, experiencing, and preparing for their career path in a unique blend of career services, academic advising, and student success. Advisors meet with students individually to develop targeted strategies for exploring and deciding on academic programs, experiencing introductory career programs, and engaging in the campus community to support students in achieving their goals of completing their degrees and successfully securing employment upon graduation. Advisors will monitor established student progress and success markers and partner with other campus and community resources to support students. Advisors contribute to SMC’s strategic goals of preparing career-ready, professionally prepared graduates while increasing graduation and retention rates.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide advising, including but not limited to topics such as academic exploration and planning, career goals, and time management, to an assigned caseload of students.

• Assist with course registration, review of degree progress, and graduation requirements.

• Assist students in identifying and clarifying academic, personal, and career goals and provide ongoing career coaching supporting students as they move from identifying educational and career goals to gaining introductory experiences.

• Thoroughly document student interactions and red flags to track student progress.

• Monitor student progress and success markers, analyze problem areas, and partner with students to develop intervention strategies and solutions.

• Support and participate in Orientations, Enrollment Days, and other departmental events and activities.

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to assist students reported through risk notifications providing appropriate referrals for additional support or resources.

• Partner with the Professional Development office for internship and job placement.

• Effectively utilize SMC career tools: Handshake, PathwayU, and StrengthsFinder.

• Option to teach SMC 101 and/or SMC 201 courses to reinforce career preparation and academic success models.

• Leverage technology to proactively connect with and relay information to students.

• Actively participates in the SMC Experience and the campus community, including attendance at athletic and/or extra-curricular events.

• Performs other duties as assigned by Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional attention to detail, follow-up, and follow-through.

• General knowledge of a wide variety of career paths and skills required for them.

• Knowledge and understanding of education and degree requirements for students wanting to graduate or transfer.

• General knowledge of Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational talents, ability to multi-task, and effective use of electronic office tools such as Microsoft Teams, shared documents and spreadsheets, electronic calendaring, etc.

• Ability to develop appropriate, welcoming, and productive relationships with a diverse student population.

• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with college constituents and the community.

• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to create and deliver engaging presentations to small and large groups.

Working Conditions:

This work is normally performed in an office setting and will require significant contact with students, faculty, staff and the community. The work will include public presentations, both within and outside the classroom. Moderate evening and weekend responsibilities as needed to support campus events, as well as enrollment and retention programming.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to move around campus.

• Manual and physical dexterity and visual acuity are needed to operate a computer keyboard and handle paper documents.

• Sufficient near vision acuity to read information appearing on a computer monitor, in handwritten form, and printed on paper.

• Adequate hearing and verbal abilities to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in progress preferred.

• At least two years of student affairs experience and demonstrated experience in advising, student success/retention, orientation/first-year programming, career services, or related work