Significance

• The job of a college adviser is important because she helps students plan and prepare for the college application process. College advisers are liaisons for students and university admissions representatives.
  
  

Requirements

• To work as a high school college adviser in a public school, a master's degree in counseling is a prerequisite. With a bachelor's degree, college advisers can work as private consultants. Successful college advisers enjoy working with teenagers and are comfortable interacting with students from various backgrounds. Additionally, college advisers should possess strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate well, verbally and in writing. They need to be knowledgeable about various colleges and admission policies.
  
  

Function

• College advisers meet with groups of students and also counsel them one-on-one. They help high school freshmen and sophomores with planning a curriculum that will make them competitive college applicants. Additionally, college advisers write recommendation letters for seniors to include with their applications and help students find scholarships and apply for financial aid.
  
  

Types

• College advisers can work in a high school, or go into private practice as independent consultants. Independent advisors typically provide packages of services for students, such as devising a curriculum plan or helping to conduct a scholarship search. Advisers employed at high schools can join the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). For advisers in private practice, the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) provides networking opportunities.
  
  

Potential

• The job outlook for college advisers is strong, as more high school students opt to pursue higher education. My Pursuit, a career information website, notes a median salary of $53,750 for college advisers. Opportunities are most plentiful in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Baltimore and Princeton, New Jersey.