Academic Counsellor

As an Academic Counsellor, you will play a critical role in helping students navigate their educational paths. You will provide academic guidance, career advice, and personal support to ensure students achieve their academic and professional goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of academic structures, excellent communication skills, and a passion for helping students succeed.

Responsibilities:

Conduct one-on-one counselling sessions with students to discuss academic goals, course selections, and career aspirations, using evidence-based counselling techniques such as motivational interviewing, solution-focused brief therapy, and basic cognitive-behavioural approaches.
Assist students in creating organized academic plans, ensuring they meet program requirements and deadlines, and document plans in the Student Information System (SIS) or advising platform.
Monitor student progress and identify at-risk students through data analysis and early-alert systems; provide targeted interventions and follow-up support.
Collaborate with faculty and academic departments to ensure students have access to the information and guidance they need; coordinate referrals to campus support services and external resources when appropriate.
Design and facilitate workshops on topics such as study skills, time management, exam preparation, and career planning; incorporate career assessment tools and employability resources into workshops.
Maintain accurate and confidential student records in accordance with institutional policies and applicable privacy regulations, and ensure secure handling of sensitive information.
Stay updated on academic programs, career trends, and higher education best practices to provide relevant advice to students; leverage career assessment tools (e.g., MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, Holland Codes, Clifton Strengths) and employer networks to inform guidance.
Participate in campus events, orientation sessions, and other activities to engage with students and promote academic success; use CRM and scheduling tools to manage appointments and outreach.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field.
Minimum 1 year of experience in academic counselling, student services, or a similar role (2+ years preferred).
Strong understanding of academic structures, degree requirements, and student support services.
Proven experience with Student Information Systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS) such as Banner, People Soft, Colleague, Blackboard, or Canvas; familiarity with appointment scheduling and CRM tools.
Practical knowledge of counselling techniques (motivational interviewing, solution-focused counselling, basic CBT techniques, crisis intervention) and experience applying them in one-on-one and group settings.
Familiarity with student privacy best practices and applicable regulations (e.g., FERPA, GDPR where applicable), and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of student records.
Experience using career assessment tools and interpreting results (e.g., MBTI, Strong, Holland Codes) to advise students on pathways and employability.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and cultural competency skills; ability to build rapport and maintain professional relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; proficiency in MS Office or Google Workspace and basic data analysis for reporting student outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a university or college setting.
Certification or formal training in counselling or academic advising; experience with career counselling and job placement strategies.
Experience using specific SIS/LMS platforms and CRM/outreach systems; familiarity with tracking student metrics and retention strategies.
Bilingual or multilingual abilities and experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
Training in student privacy or data management is a plus.

Skills & : motivational interviewing, solution-focused brief therapy, cognitive-behavioural techniques (basic), crisis intervention.
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