High-Flying Online: Online Academic Advising Strategies for High-Achieving Professionals

Practicing professionals are usually high-achieving adult learners who prefer to take courses online, given their professional and personal commitments. Typically, high achievers are self-directed and intrinsically motivated learners. This does not mean that they do not need or will not benefit from robust academic advising. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore what academic advising strategies are effective for high-achieving professional learners. Findings showed that the academic advising needs of these learners were influenced by their busy lifestyles and need for social interaction as adult and online learners. These learners wanted proactive advising from knowledgeable advisors who were committed to their success. This study showed that high-achieving graduate learners need academic advising, and effective academic advising can enhance student retention.