Did you know you can get advice on all things college- and career-related right at school?

Every PCIA student has access to personalized academic advising periods so that they can make informed decisions about their college and/or career plans. The academic advisor helps students develop and implement their High School and Beyond Plan; apply for college admissions; understand which of their courses may transfer to their college; explore career options; and learn time management, study, organizational, and professional communication skills. Your advisor can also help you get familiar with the customs and expectations of being a successful PCIA student.

How is academic advising different from working with a school guidance counselor?

You may have worked with a guidance counselor in your previous school. A key difference between your working relationship with your guidance counselor and your working relationship with your academic advisor will likely be the degree of responsibility expected of you. Often, guidance counselors schedule meetings for students and dispense authoritative direction about both educational and personal matters. Academic advisors, on the other hand, expect that you will take the lead both in seeking their guidance and in making decisions about your own future; they may ask you introspective questions rather than provide easy answers; and they can refer you to campus colleagues such as your college dean or a career counselor to help you address broader questions.

Your academic advisor is an integral part of a network of mentoring and supportive relationships —some formal and some informal—available to you here at PCIA. One thing that distinguishes your relationship with your advisor from other similar relationships is the central importance of academic goals and decisions. Navigating your educational path is a core priority when you work with your advisor. The PCIA academic advisor is available to meet with current and prospective students in person, virtually or through email communication.

Student Expectations and Responsibilities

You can expect that your advisor will be committed to your educational success and will provide you with individualized guidance. At the same time, your advisor will expect that you take active responsibility for your education and that you will approach decisions with diligence.

Taking responsibility for your education doesn’t mean that you need to answer every question right away or on your own! However, it does mean that you should be proactive about scheduling meetings with your advisor, investing time and energy in preparing for these meetings, and familiarizing yourself with graduation requirements and key deadlines. A well-considered question can be the foundation for an excellent meeting and lead to breakthrough decisions.

Here are a few simple tips that will help you get the most out of your work with your academic advisor:

• Pay attention to deadlines such as those for requesting, adding and dropping courses

• Plan to meet with your advisor at least once per month

• Keep your High School and Beyond Plan updated frequently

• Familiarize yourself with general college graduation requirements and appropriate departmental requirements before you meet with your advisor… even if only to help you formulate questions! You don’t need to have all the answers, but coming to the meeting prepared will make it more productive for you and your advisor.

• Do your best to avoid last-minute requests for approval or signatures

• Answer emails from your advisor promptly

• If you’re a person who likes checklists and worksheets, the PCIA advisor can help!