Working with Students: Determining Your Advisor Activities

Start with suggested activities from "How to Advise ASPIRE Students"
ASPIRE Advisors, under the direction of the high school counselors, are advising students about career and education options beyond high school. In order to assist advisors, ASPIRE staff and volunteers have created the ASPIRE Advising Handbook, designed to make advising students a success!

Resources provided in the handbook include:

• Information on what to cover during your first meeting with your student
• Advising Calendar with month to month activities and discussion topics
• Grade level specific curriculum, and much more!

Consult with the experts
Your ASPIRE Coordinator and school counselors are your in-house experts on preparation for postsecondary education and advising students. Ask them for help and suggestions when needed. They have specific training in this field and often years of experience advising students.

Customize your school's ASPIRE calendars
ASPIRE teams are encouraged to customize the provided calendar and checklists to suit their schools' needs.

Develop an ASPIRE service plan
Your school’s ASPIRE team should map out a service plan by completing the following steps.

1. Meet to review the suggested ASPIRE activities by grade level.
2. Determine the student grade levels that you will be serving this year.
3. Decide on specific ASPIRE advising activities - choose your activities to complement those already offered by the high school. (For example, if your school has a strong career choice curriculum, ASPIRE Advisors may not be very involved in those activities.)

Consult with the experts
Your ASPIRE Site Supervisor and school counselors are your in-house experts on preparation for postsecondary education and advising students. Ask them for help and suggestions when needed. They have specific college training in this field and often have years of experience with advising students.