Student Support Roles At Universities Provide Much Needed Assistance

Alongside the rising costs of education, students, faculty, and parents are raising the issue of student satisfaction. Universities are taking notice, and many departments are now hiring specialists for support roles. The people filling these roles are responsible for helping students overcome challenges and persevere. See here for ‘Hampshire education jobs‘.

Are You Interested?

People interested in this position typically work or have worked in the field of academia. The ideal candidate is familiar with university procedures and systems. Ph.D. students make for great candidates, as does any knowledgeable person who understands the struggles that university students face each day. Do you already have experience working with college students? While this job is rather flexible for an educator, it is also very demanding.

Professionals with a background in admissions and university administration make great candidates for this type of position, too. Do you have a background as a counselor? Do you feel comfortable giving career advice? Students face quite a few challenges, and they are going to be coming to you for help.

Skills Required

First, you need to be able to communicate and negotiate properly with all staff and university personnel. You are going to have quite a few contacts, and you also need to be familiar with university policy and all proper procedures. It helps to be familiar with a particular university because this could give you a leg up. Working with administrators is a big part of this job, so keep that in mind.

The type of support role this position entails requires a highly organized person. You are tasked with managing and counseling a large student population. Your record-keeping skills are going to be put to the test. You are likely to be keeping records in multiple ways. Additionally, students are going to approach you with sensitive issues, and the best candidate for this position has a caring heart and an open mind.

Take a professional break from looking at this position for a moment. Do you enjoy working with students? Can you handle overseeing a large group while focusing on individual encounters? There is no teaching involved in terms of subject matter, but make no mistake about it, you will be teaching these students. They are going to come to you for one-on-one help, and you are going to be providing the support they need. University life can be quite challenging, and you need to be a sympathetic ear. Lead with empathy, and exercise patience.

Final Thoughts

Upon taking on this role, you must first strike a delicate balance overseeing such a large student population. As you strike that balance, you can begin to figure out more about allocating time to individual needs. You will likely feel like you have more on your plate than you can handle. Do you know what to do with that? If not, this position is not for you. These students need to be taught that they, too, can persevere in the face of unknown circumstances. Are you going to be the support they need?