How Advising Works
How Advising Works
Pierce College advising is designed to guide students from entry through graduation, transfer, and career success.
Students work with different advising professionals as they move through their college journey, beginning with onboarding and first-term planning, then moving into degree planning, career and transfer preparation, and graduation readiness.
Advising Guide
After you receive your Pierce College acceptance, your first step is to complete the onboarding process.
Before meeting with an advisor, you should:
- Get connected to your Pierce College accounts, including ctcLink and student email
- Complete Student Success Orientation
- Explore career pathways
- Complete English and math guided self-placement
- Submit transcripts for evaluation if you have prior college credits
- Schedule a New Student Advising Session
During your first terms, you will work with a Student Success Coach or Department Advisor to set goals, choose a Career Pathway, plan your first classes, complete degree planning, and connect with resources.
In your first-term advising session, you will:
- Set academic and career goals
- Choose a Career Pathway Program
- Plan your first-term classes
- Plan to take College Success during your first term
- Plan to take a Career Pathway Foundation Course during your first or second term
- Enroll in all first-term classes
- Get support with annual registration
You may also work with your advisor to:
- Identify prerequisite courses, especially for professional/technical programs
- Explore funding options and create a funding plan
- Get connected to campus community
- Explore academic and holistic resources
In your second-term advising session, you will:
- Choose and affirm your educational program
- Complete a degree plan using the online student success tool
After you complete about 30 credits, you will typically begin working with a Faculty Mentor Advisor. Faculty Mentor Advisors help you refine your degree plan, explore career and transfer options, and connect your coursework to your future goals.
In your first session with your Faculty Mentor Advisor, you will:
- Discuss your career aspirations and self-discovery
- Explore your career field
- Connect to undergraduate research, service learning, internships, and career services
- Reconnect with academic and holistic resources
- Refine your degree plan to align with career and transfer goals
- Work on resume and job-search strategies
- Explore and choose transfer schools, if applicable
In your second session with your Faculty Mentor Advisor, you will:
- Discuss what you need to be successful in your field
- Reflect on your strengths and how they support your goals
- Grow your professional expertise based on the classes you are taking
- Receive reminders and encouragement about graduation
Student Success Coaches may also be available during breaks, such as summer, when Faculty Mentor Advisors may not be available.
As you approach graduation, your advisor will help you confirm degree completion, apply for graduation and/or transfer, and prepare for your next step.
In your third session with your Faculty Mentor Advisor, you will:
- Make sure degree requirements are complete
- Apply for graduation
- Apply to transfer schools and explore funding
- Reconnect with Career Services for resume, cover letter, interview, and job-board support
You may also discuss:
- Industry connections
- Work-based learning
- Service learning
- Internships
Understanding Advising Roles
Student Success Coaches and Department Advisors
Student Success Coaches and Department Advisors are full-time professional advisors who often serve as a student’s first point of contact. They support onboarding, educational planning, academic success, funding and registration questions, and referrals to resources such as tutoring, counseling, basic needs, and campus supports.
Faculty Mentor Advisors
Faculty Mentor Advisors are instructional faculty members who advise students in their academic discipline. They help students deepen their understanding of their field, refine career and transfer goals, select courses, and prepare for professional or academic next steps.
Faculty Counselor Advisors
Faculty Counselor Advisors support students in exploring interests, passions, goals, and transfer or career pathways. They help students make holistic decisions about programs of study, career direction, and life goals, and may also support course planning, transfer preparation, and student development depending on the student’s advising stage.