Looking Ahead in the Handbook
This handbook is designed to be read or skimmed through for information, so that it can serve as a read-through text as well as a reference. The following sections of the handbook contain information intended to help you in advising all undergraduates at various levels:
Section 1: Advising in the Context of the WPI Plan
Few experiences in students' college careers have as much potential for influencing their development as does academic advising. Students place a great deal of trust in their advisors. That trust warrants quality service and programs. This handbook was developed to help strengthen WPI's academic advising program by providing information and advice to faculty advisors.
Section 2: Getting to Know the Student
WPI is a relatively small institution with an excellent student to faculty ratio. For this reason, it should function on a more personal level that other educational institutions. Students who feel that their advisor cares for them as individuals are more likely to value their advisor's advice, and are more likely to return to their advisor when they are experiencing difficulties. From an advisor's standpoint, it is easier to advise a student with whom you are familiar, and it makes writing recommendations simpler, too. An advisor who has good listening and questioning skills is better able to identify academic or personal problems that may affect students' academic performance. For these reasons the Getting to Know the Student section of the handbook discusses techniques that may help you in communicating and building relationships with students.
Section 3: Guiding Students Through the Plan
Advising students in a relatively unstructured educational program such as the WPI Plan increases the challenges of advising. As a WPI academic advisor, you need to be familiar with the WPI curriculum, campus rules, and procedures to form a basis on which advice is given. Most importantly, you need the skills to give good advice. These topics are covered in the Guiding Students Through the Plan section of the handbook.
Section 4: Helping Students With Career Development
Academic advisors need to be familiar with the career development model and the different stages students go through as they formulate career plans. The complexities of career development are described in this section, along with referral sources.
Section 5: Knowing Where to Find It
There are, of course, occasions when an academic advisor is confronted with a question or problem that calls for a referral. The challenge is knowing when and where to refer a student. The information needed to make a referral is found in the Knowing Where to Find It section of the handbook.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: May 30, 2007 16:25:48