Education & Academia · Mid-Level (3+ yrs)

Academic Advisor & Career Counselor Resume

This sample shows how an academic advisor can connect degree planning with career counseling and measurable student support. A strong resume for this role makes caseloads, advising tools, student outcomes, and relevant training easy to find.

Resume check

What recruiters and tracking systems look for. A guide, not a prediction.

100 / 100Complete

100%
  • Contact20 / 20
  • Summary20 / 20
  • Experience30 / 30
  • Skills20 / 20
  • Education10 / 10

Contact details

Put these at the top; recruiters and tracking systems look for them first.

Optional. In the US, UK and Canada resumes usually have no photo.

49 words

One job per paragraph; start each achievement on a new line with “-”.

10 skills

Separate skills with commas, for example: Excel, SQL, project planning.

More sections

Projects, certifications, languages or anything else that supports your application.

Advising and career platforms
Professional development

Alex Morgan

Academic Advisor

  • alex.morgan@example.com
  • +1 555 0100
  • Denver, CO

Summary

Academic advisor and career counselor with 4 years of experience at public two-year and regional colleges. Supports degree audits, graduation planning, and career exploration for diverse undergraduate caseloads, using student information systems to track progress and coordinate timely referrals. Experienced in academic probation support and FERPA-aware recordkeeping.

Experience

Student Success Advisor & Career Counselor at Northpeak Valley College, Denver, CO (2024 – Present) - Advise 145 undergraduate students on degree requirements and graduation plans, using EAB Navigate to flag unmet requirements and reduce registration holds by 18% over two terms. - Meet with 12–16 students weekly for career counseling, using interest assessments and Handshake to connect students with internships and campus career services. - Coordinate academic probation outreach with faculty and tutoring staff, helping 28 students create term plans and completing follow-ups with 24. Academic Advisor at Redwillow Community College, Aurora, CO (2022 – 2024) - Managed a caseload of 110 students, reviewing degree audits and transfer credits in Banner Student to resolve planning discrepancies before registration. - Led 10 workshops each semester on academic standing and major exploration; 29 of 34 survey respondents said they better understood degree requirements afterward.

Education

Master of Education in Higher Education Administration — Alder Creek Institute, Denver, CO (2022) Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — Juniper Ridge College, Fort Collins, CO (2020)

Skills

  • Academic advising
  • Degree audits
  • Graduation planning
  • Career counseling
  • Academic probation support
  • Transfer credit evaluation
  • FERPA-aware recordkeeping
  • Student referrals
  • Workshop facilitation
  • Student information systems

Advising and career platforms

• EAB Navigate • Banner Student • Handshake

Professional development

• FERPA training • Motivational interviewing workshop

How to write a Academic Advisor resume

Lead with your student caseload

Place your current advising role first and state the student population or approximate caseload you support. Add context such as first-year students, transfer students, or students on academic probation when it fits your work. That helps hiring teams understand the scope of your advising and whether it matches their institution's needs.

Show outcomes with context

Use numbers you can explain, such as students advised, workshops delivered, registration holds resolved, or follow-up completion. Describe the work behind the outcome: reviewing degree audits, coordinating tutoring referrals, or building term plans. Avoid claiming that advising alone caused a change in retention or graduation rates unless you have a sound way to support that connection.

Name your systems and training

List the student information and advising platforms you have actually used, such as Banner, PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, or EAB Navigate, and describe what you did in them. Include institutional FERPA training or relevant advising development when applicable. FERPA training is not a universal professional certification, so do not label it as one.

Keep student details anonymous

Describe student situations in general terms and never include names, identification numbers, or details that could identify an individual. Leave out confidential case notes and unsupported claims about student outcomes. If you include career counseling or assessment tools, name the tools you used and keep the resume focused on advising work rather than personal information about students.

Common keywords

Skills and tools often listed for this role. Use only the ones you have, in the job advert's wording. Click one to copy it.

Action verbs

AdvisedGuidedReviewedCoordinatedDevelopedConnectedImproved

Questions about this role

How long should an academic advisor resume be?

For a mid-level advisor with a few years of experience, aim for one or two pages. Use the space for advising responsibilities, student populations, systems, and outcomes that relate to the opening. Earlier or unrelated jobs can be shortened. If you have substantial relevant higher education experience, a second page is reasonable; keep the most relevant details near the top.

Do academic advisors need a license or certification?

There is no single U.S. license required for academic advisors, and requirements vary by employer. Some positions prefer a graduate degree or professional development in higher education advising. Career counseling roles may have different expectations, especially when they include mental health counseling; state licensure rules can apply to those services. Follow the qualifications in the specific job posting.

Should I include FERPA training on my resume?

You can include completed FERPA training under professional development or training, especially if the role handles student records. Describe it as training, not as a nationally recognized certification. Employers may provide their own training, and requirements can differ by institution. Do not include student information or examples that could identify a student.

How can I move into academic advising from another field?

Highlight transferable work that maps to advising: education planning, case management, career services, student support, or explaining complex requirements. Add experience with relevant databases, workshops, and referrals if you have it. A bachelor's degree is common, while some employers prefer a master's degree or higher education experience. Requirements vary, so tailor your resume to each posting.