The Pre-Major Advisor guides College of Arts and Science undergraduates through course selection and major declaration. They provide strategic academic support, interpret university policies, and connect students with faculty advisors and campus resources.
Requirements summary
Requires a bachelor's degree with 3 years of experience in student support or a master's degree with 1 year of experience in advising or counseling. Candidates must hold a degree in Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science and possess strong communication and analytical skills.
The Pre-major advisor works with College of Arts and Science (A&S) undergraduates to help students understand and adapt to the academic expectations and requirement of the College of Arts and Science and chart courses of study appropriate to their interests and goals.
Pre-major advisers typically advise students for three to four semesters, beginning the summer before their first-year in residence at Vanderbilt.
Students work with their pre-major adviser until they declare their majors by the middle of their fourth semester, during their sophomore year.
In the advising process, advisers answer questions about selecting courses, choosing a major, understanding the relationship between academic majors and career choices, preparing for post-baccalaureate study, using academic resources, and connecting with study abroad and other campus resources.
Pre- major advisers also provide support and help students make connections to faculty major advisers in academic departments and programs for specific disciplinary advice.
About the work
UNIT
Pre-Major Advising is the primary advising for students upon matriculation through major declaration (all incoming first-years and roughly 25% of second year students). This office reports under Academic Affairs in the College of Arts & Science Dean’s Office; this office regularly collaborates with the Office of Academic Services and the A&S College Core. This office is dedicated to help pre-major students in the College of Arts and Science define their academic and future interests. Our dedicated academic advisers provide specialized support as students navigate course selection, choosing a major, and understanding university policies.
Key functions and expected performance
Provides clear information about pre-major requirements, including A&S core liberal arts curriculum.
Helps students appropriately prepare for their intended majors and minors and explore areas of interests.
Guides students in identifying options to satisfy academic core requirements while working towards identifying a major.
Interprets and explains college and university policies and procedures.
Provides strategic individual and group advising.
Tracks students' progress to ensure they are meeting key benchmarking dates.
Shares ideas related to internships, summer experiences, or other opportunities that will help students move toward learning more about their possible or intended majors.
Accurately documents academic recommendations and individual discussions with student.
Participates in professional development activities to remain competent and informed of the most effective advising techniques and theories.
Collaborates with other advisers to create, maintain, and improve online orientation materials for students using the Brightspace Learning Management System.
Supervisory relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; the position reports administratively and functionally to a Senior Advisor and Program Manager, Advising.
Education and certifications
A Master’s degree and at least 1 year of experience in student advising, career counseling, human resources, or an equivalent setting is preferred.— or Bachelor’s degree in any subject and at least 3 years of experience in student advising or support services, including counseling, educational programming, working with faculty and employers, and administrative responsibilities is necessary.
All advisers will be required to have at least one earned degree in a discipline from one of the three divisions (e.g., Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science) of the College of Arts and Science.
Experience and skills
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing is necessary.
Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information is necessary.
Ability to analyze and solve problems is necessary.
Ability to analyze course prerequisites, certification, and/or curriculum/graduation requirements is necessary.
Ability to evaluate student transcripts and/or records is necessary.
Records maintenance skills is necessary.
Understanding of Student Information Privacy Laws and Ethics including FERPA is necessary
Ability to maintain calendars and schedule appointments is necessary.
Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports is preferred.
Knowledge of student success and retention issues is preferred.
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