Your not a counselor or an advisor. Why not?
This was an interesting bit of information. As a college student, I would naturally refer to those who worked in admissions as an "admissions counselor." I think the reason for this was because, as a student, I tell the rep what I wanted to do, and they would "counsel" or "advise" me as to what major I should probably apply for at their respective college.
I see the flip side of the coin, in that we are selling a product, our institutions education versus another.
However, there is definitely, a debate to be had here. By taking away the title of "counselor" or "adviser" it seems to me that we might be taking away a positive element from the whole admissions process.
By merely, referring to admissions employees as representatives or agents we seem to lower their identity to merely salesmen.
I think this may become a bit destructive instead of it's intended purpose to regulate and keep institutions accountable.
I don't want my employee's to view themselves as merely salesmen or agents. I want them to hold themselves to a much higher ethical standard than what our society attributes to salesmen and agents of those selling a product.
I want them to understand that an education is more than a product, it is an identity. Your education forms you and makes you who you are as a person. In this sense, anyone who works in an admissions office should have the students best interest in mind in how they communicate and represent the institution and education they are promoting. To this end, their standard of ethics should be at it's highest level.
Andrea,
It's okay not to agree, but we still must follow the rules of the commission. Counselor has a different connotation than advisor.
Patty Aronoff
This post was particularly interesting to me because of the change since I started in Admissions in 2002. My college "Advisor" was a professor who taught classes related to my major and was available for questions or "advising". Of course being a huge campus, not many utilized this person, nor knew him/her well.
When I started in Admissions at a smaller private school I was referred to as an Admissions Counselor. I felt the title fit well seeing what kinds of issues and concerns we often dealt with not directly relating to their enrollment process.
I'm slowing accepting the title of representative and after this training understand the need for it. Hopefully it's still okay not to agree 100%:)
Diane,
You have given an interesting point of view. Some do not seem to understand the difference between the two. No matter the thoughts, rule prevails.
Patty Aronoff
I understand the CIE's concern, but think it is just semantics.
Advisor:
1) One that advises, such as a person or firm that offers official or professional advice to clients; 2) a person responsible for advising students on academic matters, career guidance, etc
Counselor: 1) a faculty member who advises students on personal and academic problems, career choices, and the like; 2) the process of assisting and guiding clients, especially by a trained person on a professional basis, to resolve personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties
I wonder if students are confused by not using the title Advisor or Counselor - those of us who are more mature have grown up understanding the role of those positions
Nonetheless - the CIE has final say on job titles.
Karen,
Exactly the point Commission for Independent Education is making with their requirement in rule.
Patty Aronoff
I would have to agree to this statement as well. I have worked in Admissions for over 10 years at diferent schools across the country and have adapted my title as a representative of the college rather than an advisor. We are here to inform them of our products, resources, policies and procedures and to help them through this process. I dont feel that we have the right as advisors to guide them into specific programs.
Over my 8 years at our lovely institution, I have come to develop the term "Admissions Representative" as my title, in honor of the representation of the institution that I display while conducting business with prospective students. I agree with you Bruce, in that although the admissions position is a sales position, the changes through the Commission over the recent years have almost eliminated that fact in the sense that we are now more focused on the overall beneficial prospect of the student versus the sale of the program. And, I think it makes it a more personable approach between admissions representative and student to fulfill the simple goal of assisting them with furthering their education in order to benefit both the student and the institution.
I totally agree with Timothy.. It kind of makes me ill in a sense to believe I am having to 'sell' the education from the institution for whom I work. Especially since I am a graduate! I don't tell people that I am an advisor or counselor.. however I do tell that that I am not a 'salesman' and that I am not directly compensated merely by just enrolling them. At times during my interviews there are plenty of tears shed by the prospect when we discuss how their life has been up to the point that brought them into our school for a meeting. I DO give them my pure hearted advice based on the many years of experience I have in the industry that they hold an interest in. I am NOT in sales..... I don't care how you put it... I DO NOT 'sell' this school to one single person.... they choose 100% on their own free will to commit to attending our school and enriching their future. As a matter of fact at the close of our meetings I typically will encourage them to go visit any other school/s that they desire and I tell them to just be sure to compare apples to apples. I am a horrible salesman... but yet (with my covert advisor or counselor techniques) my numbers are very good and I am enrolling many people and helping them change their lives. So I ask you... Am I a salesman????
Timothy,
The commission is very adamant about not using the term counselor or advisor due to the connotation it brings to the table.
Patty Aronoff
