How to Answer: Can you share a time when you've had to balance a student's personal struggles with their academic goals?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Academic Advisor job interview.
17. Can you share a time when you've had to balance a student's personal struggles with their academic goals?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer asks this question to gauge your ability to handle difficult situations that may arise when a student is facing personal struggles that may affect their academic performance. It is essential to be able to balance your student's personal struggles with their academic goals and provide the necessary support and guidance to help them succeed. Sharing a specific example can demonstrate your empathy, problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain confidentiality while working with students.
Written by Krista Wenz on July 5th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"As I am new to this profession, I have not yet encountered this. However, I will help my students in this situation by lending a listening ear and developing a solution that will help them balance their personal issues while keeping on track academically. If I need assistance, I will not hesitate to ask a superior or mentor for advice while maintaining my student's privacy."
Written by Krista Wenz on July 5th, 2023
Answer Example
"Of course. Recently, I had a student going through a difficult time in their personal life. They were dealing with a lot of family issues, and it was affecting their ability to focus on their academic goals. I knew it was important to be supportive and understanding of their situation while also encouraging them to stay on track with their school work. We had many conversations about how to manage their time and prioritize their responsibilities, and I checked in with them regularly to see how they were doing. In the end, they successfully balanced their personal struggles with their academic goals, and I was proud to have played a small part in their success."
Written by Krista Wenz on July 5th, 2023
Experienced Example
"Sure. Not too long ago, one of my students was going through a tough time at home. They were dealing with a family member's illness, which impacted their ability to focus in class and keep up with their assignments. I knew it was important to be supportive and understanding of their situation, but I also didn't want them to fall behind in their studies. So, I worked with the student to devise a plan that would allow them to take care of their personal needs while still staying on track academically. I helped them prioritize their workload, adjusted deadlines as necessary, and checked in regularly to see how they were doing. In the end, my student successfully navigated their personal struggles and maintained their academic progress. It was a challenging situation, but I'm glad I could be there for my student and support them through it."
Written by Krista Wenz on July 5th, 2023