Are you passionate about helping students in regards to their academics, admissions etc? Do you want to make them informed about various educational programs? If yes, then welcome to a rewarding and fulfilling career as an Admissions officer. Here is all about the admissions officer – career in education sector.
Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes through various forms of learning. It can take place in a variety of settings, including schools, universities, vocational training institutions, and online platforms. Education is crucial for personal development, socialization, and economic progress. Education can be divided into different levels, including primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Primary education is typically the first stage of formal education and usually starts at around age five or six.
Admissions officers or counsellors mostly work in postsecondary settings like universities and colleges. They are in great demand and are hired by universities to persuade and attract students into taking admission into their offered programs. An Admissions officer can help students in clearing their queries about curriculum, professors and questions related to career options like best courses to pursue.
Explore the article to know everything about Admissions Officers and how you can make it your career.
Who are Admissions Officers?
These officers usually work in post-secondary or college levels, sometimes at schools also that have an admission process. They approach and interact with potential students, gives presentations at high schools, create and distribute brochures on their school or university details.
They are responsible for connecting students to the right schools, programs, and other resources to help them get the most out of their college experience that will help in their careers.
They also conduct interviews, campus tour arrangements, conducting information sessions and representing the school at college fairs and other recruiting activities.
Most of their job requirements lie in interacting with students in-person or on phone and assess their interest and suitability for their school programs.
Responsibilities
The following are the typical responsibilities of an Admissions Officer.
- Analyzing the applications of potential students based on standard admission guidelines.
- Follow-up with the students if they have any enquiries through direct meetings, phone calls, live chat or emails and reply in a professional manner.
- Refer potential students to particular program directors if they require any additional information.
- Communicate the result of the applicant status like Accepted or Rejected to the student.
- Provide assistance and support with recruitment activities, student interviews, admission procedure, courses costs and eligibility criteria.
- Participate in on-campus and off-campus events like school fairs, recruitment events, information sessions, exhibitions, school visits etc.
- Maintain a database for generating reports for management that contains student information, student feedbacks and telephone logs.
- Advising the students and their families regarding available educational opportunities and options, admissions and other necessities, policies and procedures, credit transfer and if requires financial assistance for admission fees.
Education and Eligibility
- Employers seek a minimum of a bachelor degree in hiring admissions officers.
- Aspiring candidates for Admissions Officers post should complete their bachelor in education, business, marketing or relevant field from an accredited institution.
- 1-3 years of experience in relevant jobs and duties is beneficial but not mandatory.
- Some Employers want candidates with a Master’s degree. Pursue your Masters in education or relevant field for better career opportunities at top colleges and universities and lucrative salaries.
- A State license has to be procured to work in public schools and universities.
Required Skills
- Excellent communication skills including verbal and non-verbal.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Time Management and organizational skills.
- Persistent and self-motivated and be always ready to guide others and support them when they make important decisions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office tools like Excel, Outlook, Word and student information software like CampusVue, Virtual campus.
- Be familiar with college and university programs and majors, admission process and eligibility, scholarship and details on financial assistance aids.
- Excellent planning and people reading skills.
- Knowledge about computerized databases and systems.
- Capable of planning, developing and implementing short and long-range goals.
- Evaluation of students’ transcripts and records.
- Organizational and Coordinating skills.
Core traits for Admissions Officers
The following are the core traits if an admissions officer possesses will be successful and popular among the students.
- Construct affinity by asking the right questions and help the students in introspecting their choices.
- Formulation of the process is required on a daily basis using CRM tools and task management.
- Make templates for marketing communication in the form of e-mail, SMS, forms or direct questionnaire when meeting with prospective students.
- Constantly reviewing the admission funnel process.
- Understanding the entire admission process by being informed about the accommodations, scholarships, books and finance that help in making a long-lasting impact on the student’s mind about the institutes.
- Excellent communication skills for building rapport with parents and students.
- Always smile while interacting with students and put them at ease.
Salary and Career Outlook
According to Payscale, the median annual salary for Admissions officers for 2020 is $44, 299 at college and university levels. The projected job growth for Admission advisors from 2019-2029 is 4% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Energetic and skilled communicators find this job exciting and appealing.
