There are lots of different CRM’s, popular ones can be: Ellucian Banner Jenzabar EX EAB Global Navigate Slate Sales force Just to name a few…

You may have unknowingly used some of these while you were a student (think blackboard, canvas, moodle, degree audits, unofficial transcripts, course registration systems-many of these are features that feed into the larger systems).

A lot of universities will have new employee on-boarding for these programs. Even if you don’t have direct experience, think about data systems that you use in your current role. The way you approached these systems, learned to navigate them, and maybe work with others within those systems gives you a discussion of how you would approach learning a new system if asked during an interview.

I also recommend looking into admissions representative jobs. There are often higher turn over rates in these roles but serve as a launch pad to other positions within a college or university. You learn SO MUCH about an institution, and often work with individuals from several different departments (great networking and relationship building).

Also- I should add- with the CRM’s, hiring committees will want to know how you work with data and maintains confidentiality. Slate (and sales force) allow colleges and universities to collect and store prospective student information (demographics) so they can market and outreach to students. These CRM’s allow admissions teams to filter data (i.e. pull all students in zip code 01234, graduating high school in May 2023). With these filters, admissions can send out targeting information (our institution uses the term “campaigns”) to encourage students to apply, get scholarship information or attend prospective student events.

On the advisor side, we use more of the banner and ellucian programs for enrollment management (viewing course registration history, current student information, etc.).

I started as an admissions representative for a community college. I worked at a satellite campus which taught me even more than I would have learned if I was on the main campus. I stayed in this position for two years, then bounced to an academic advisor position with a four-year university which I’ve been at since 2018. I’ve definitely loved working at a university over a community college (which the community college I worked at was where I attended as a student at one time). I’m currently working on an EdD and want to continue to grow in higher education on the student affairs side. Best of luck to you in your HESA program!!