Student Success Advisor

Career Guide

A Student Success Advisor supports learners from onboarding through completion. The role focuses on goal setting, study planning, progress tracking, and connecting students with resources so they stay engaged and graduate on time.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Onboard new students and explain program expectations
Build individualized academic and time management plans
Monitor attendance, grades, and participation to spot risk early
Proactively reach out to students who are falling behind
Coach students on goal setting and study routines
Coordinate with faculty to address academic concerns
Connect students to tutoring, accommodations, and support services
Document student interactions and update advising notes
Run workshops on study skills and career readiness basics
Escalate urgent situations to the right campus or program team
Collect student feedback and share themes with leadership

Top Skills for Success

Empathy

Active Listening

Clear Writing

Verbal Communication

Time Management

Coaching

Conflict De-escalation

Organization

Student Advising

Academic Planning

Progress Monitoring

Case Management

Resource Navigation

Student Information Systems

Customer Relationship Management Tools

Data Tracking

Student Retention Strategy

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Student Success Specialist

Academic Advisor

Retention Specialist

Student Services Coordinator

Transition Opportunities

Senior Student Success Advisor

Student Success Manager

Advising Team Lead

Program Manager

Career Services Advisor

Enrollment Counselor

Learning Support Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Student Information SystemsCustomer Relationship Management ToolsData TrackingBoundary SettingCrisis Response AwarenessDocumentation Quality

Development SuggestionsBuild comfort with the tools used to track student progress, strengthen documentation habits, and practice setting clear boundaries while staying supportive. Use simple metrics to prioritize outreach and measure impact.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 40,000 to 50,000

Mid LevelUSD 50,000 to 65,000

Senior LevelUSD 65,000 to 85,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring is strongest at online universities, community colleges, bootcamps, and education technology providers focused on retention and completion.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Community collegesPublic universitiesPrivate universitiesOnline universitiesEducation technology companiesCoding bootcampsWorkforce training providers

Industry Sectors

Higher educationOnline learningEducation technologyWorkforce developmentProfessional training

Recommended Next Steps

Review job postings and list the top five tools and responsibilities that appear most often

Create a simple advising portfolio with an outreach email sample and a student success plan template

Take a short course on academic advising basics and student support practices

Practice using a spreadsheet to track student status and outreach outcomes

Prepare examples using the STAR method focused on retention wins, difficult conversations, and follow through

Network with advisors or student success teams at local colleges and online programs