From AUM graduate to academic advisor, Hillary Porter has found her calling
By: Nia Carter
Having someone who cares about your education as much as students or their parents do is important when students are heading to college or even when they are in college, and they are not sure what to major in.
That is what advising and recruiting coordinator Hillary Porter strives to do when advising students here at Auburn University at Montgomery in the Department of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. While conducting a virtual interview via Zoom with Porter, she was incredibly happy and eager to inform people about the importance of academic advisors. Although Porter has worn many different hats here at AUM, she has found her calling with being an advising and recruiting coordinator. While working at AUM Porter started as an English as a second language instructor, and as a program associate. Afterward, Porter attended AUM to receive her master’s in Liberal Arts, where finally she became a well-respected advisor here at AUM.
Porter said, “I enjoy working with students, I kind of got into advising by accident. You know that happens in your career, and I’ve grown to love advising as much as the liberal arts aspects of it.” According to Northeastern University to be considered an academic advisor, “Some colleges and universities will accept a bachelor’s degree when hiring for this position; however, many institutions will require that candidates hold a master’s degree.” Several institutions provide master’s degrees in higher education. Such as Capella University, the University of West Alabama, the University of New Orleans, and many other universities around the world. According to Western Governors University, you must have the ability to “actively listen, to be empathetic, to know the higher education system, problem-solving and critical thinking.” Advisors must ensure that the students they are advising are on the right track to graduation and if not, they should have the skill to get that student back on track.
Being an academic advisor can be stressful and overwhelming when people are first starting since academic advisors are trying to get to know the students they are advising, and they are trying to be the best academic advisors that they can be, she said. “Advisors do have two to three hundred students for the number of students that they have to advise and that can be intimidating but if you do it organized and you have things in place to keep things running fluently, I do pride myself in replying to students quickly and being available as much as possible,” added Porter.
Having an academic advisor who cares about what it is like to be a young adult in college is important when getting to know your advisor. Being able to connect with students and letting them know that they are not alone in this journey of furthering their education. According to Porter “Someone who has a passion to help” is what makes a good advisor. If you have a passion for what you do, then you are more eligible to have a greater impact on students’ lives.
As an advisor, Porter had some advice for current and incoming college students “Communication is key. Let your expectations for your classes be known to your professors. When you start to find a class to be difficult, immediately communicate with your professors and voice your concerns.” Being able to communicate your concerns with your professors may seem scary if you are a first-year student, even if you are a senior but having an open line of communication with your professors as well as your advisor.
Advisors are a key part of helping college students reach their goals of graduating. Also, it is up to them to pass their classes, it is also important for advisors to keep track of students’ progress. So, we thank all advisors around the world for their time and patience. We do appreciate you.
