What are the functions of the Academic Advisor within a Graduate School? To know exactly the characteristics of this central position within a Center for Postgraduate Studies, we interviewed Patricia Marcos, Academic Advisor of the European Postgraduate Center .

First, research the real needs that students have .“ It is essential to know what they are looking for and if what they are looking for really fits their training and professional characteristics. We cannot create false hopes ”. Although, according to Patricia Marcos, the people who opt for postgraduate training are a group of people with a very heterogeneous profile in age, interests, occupation, motivations, experiences and very different aspirations. Although, they are usually people who work and whose concern is focused on their work, family well-being, social and work advancement, self-esteem, etc. In addition, their motivation to study is spontaneous so they have higher levels of attention, taking greater responsibility.

After this first process of getting to know the future student more, a comprehensive academic assessment is offered on the postgraduate studies that best suit their profile as a student . In this way, they select postgraduate studies that fit their profile and especially their professional development.

Afterwards, they will inform about the admission requirements necessary to access the graduate program that best suits their needs, and verify that the academic requirements demanded by the Postgraduate Center are met.

Also, the work of an Academic Advisor consists of guiding students in relation to scholarships or discounts, employment opportunities … in general in all kinds of activities that promote their professional but also personal development.

What Are The Most Demanded Postgraduate Programs?

This great requirement of MBAs has triggered a great evolution of the different MBA programs, which has led to the creation of different versions of an MBA such as the Executive MBA or Graduate MBA, Full time MBA or Part Time MBA, the Global MBA or International MBA and specialized MBAs.

That is why the main advantage of the MBA is that it is a program aimed at all kinds of academic profiles. It is difficult to define the type of person who takes an MBA. For example, the Graduate MBA is aimed at a young recent graduate. On the other hand, the Executive MBA is designed for people with more than 5 years of professional experience.

The approach that both Graduate Schools and Universities pursue for the different types of MBAs are based on totally practical and real cases, which is currently known as the ” case method “. In addition, they take into account the expectations of students based on their profiles. People who have a lot of experience seek promotion or updating of knowledge. On the contrary, those who do not have any experience seek incorporation into the labor market or the creation of a large Networking network.

The MBA options are very varied and indeterminate for each profile and this is where the figure of the Academic Advisor becomes important because they are the essential people to guide future postgraduate students. They are the magic wand that every Study Center has, since they answer all the doubts that may arise, both before and after enrollment.