Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Admission Counselors at Minds Matter Southern California
Alex, a Program Manager, recommends an admissions counselor role as a great entry-level position, citing "a well-rounded set of skills" gained from "working with students, having difficult conversations," and developing communication skills. This experience, they explain, launched their career and provided transferable skills applicable to various fields, including sales, tech, and even their current nonprofit work.
Communication, Entry-Level, Higher Education, Admissions, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alex Moses
Program Manager
Minds Matter Southern California
Reed College, 2018
n/a
English
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Education
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Admission counselor roles are valuable entry-level positions, offering diverse skills applicable to various fields such as sales, tech, and other sectors.
2. These roles provide experience in communication, working with students and families, and making important decisions, while also offering opportunities for travel and personal growth.
3. The skills gained as an admission counselor, such as communication and decision-making, are highly transferable and beneficial for a career in education or other related fields.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
My first role out of college was an admission counselor. This is typically an entry-level position, and I think it's great for anyone interested in continuing in education in any way.
I made the leap from working at a university to working for a nonprofit. Being an admission counselor provides great experience. You learn what it's like to be a staff member on a college campus, to work with students, and to travel.
You also have difficult conversations with students and families. I was making admission decisions, and unfortunately, we cannot admit every student who applies. So I talked to families and students who were denied or waitlisted.
This also involved financial aid conversations. I think learning to be a good communicator and a good employee was valuable. Being a representative of a school of higher education was such a valuable experience.
It was fun too. I got to travel for work to places I'd never been, which was cool. I had really awesome experiences.
Even if you're not specifically interested in admissions, I think it can be a good launching off point into education. I know people who did admissions and then went into sales, tech, or other fields.
You learn a well-rounded set of skills in admissions that I think is really valuable. I highly recommend it as an entry-level role.