Academic Support student employees achieve strong career, graduate school outcomes

Undergraduate student employees in Auburn University’s Academic Support office are carrying the skills they developed on campus into successful careers and graduate education opportunities after graduation, surpassing university-wide average success outcomes in employment and continuing education.

Academic Support historically employs 100-120 undergraduate students in a variety of peer leadership roles, including Study Partners peer tutors, Supplemental Instruction leaders, Front Desk Representatives and Accountability Group leaders. The Accountability Group leader position was launched in fall 2025 through a Bright Idea Seed Grant from the Office of Academic Insight’s Insight Lab as part of AUBURNACHIEVE Quality Enhancement Plan initiative. Historically, Academic Support has employed between 100 and 120 student employees annually. Yet, the unit is funded to maintain 40-50 undergraduate student employees moving forward.

Data from Academic Insight on the graduating classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 show Academic Support undergraduate student employees (n= 243) achieved a post-graduation employment rate of 91.5% immediately following graduation, compared to 83.3% among all Auburn graduates.

Graduates who worked in Academic Support also reported higher starting salaries than their peers. The average starting salary for Academic Support student employees was $70,337, compared to $60,428 among all 2025 Auburn graduates. The median starting salary for Academic Support student employees was $68,640, compared to $60,000 across all 2025 graduates.

The salary advantage among Academic Support student employees who graduate has remained higher across each of the graduating cohorts, with Academic Support student employees reporting higher average starting salaries than the university average since recording in 2023.

Students continuing education following graduation also demonstrated strong outcomes. Between 2023 and 2025, Academic Support student employees achieved a 92.3% success rate in securing their next educational opportunity, compared to 87.9% among all Auburn graduates pursuing continuing education.

Among Academic Support graduates who are continuing their education, master's degree programs were the most common destination. Professional and research doctoral programs (e.g., medical school, health programs, etc.) represented the second-largest category. A detailed explanation of the First Destination Survey data collection process can be found on the Academic Insight office website.

“Our student employees gain far more than a paycheck,” said Dr. Jaime Miller, director of Academic Support. “They develop communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through meaningful work experiences and high-quality training and preparation. Their work in Academic Support directly supports other students at the University and their learning experiences translate into success after graduation.”

Annual assessment of student employees’ career readiness provides further connection between student employment and professional development. Academic Support surveys student employees each year and publishes findings through its Reports and Research webpage, including in the annual report.

In the most recent survey, which achieved a 68.6% response rate among student employees in Academic Support:

• 100% of student employees agreed their experience made them more marketable for their anticipated career goals.
• 98% reported including their Academic Support position on their résumé.
• 95% indicated they improved in at least four of the eight National Association of Colleges and Employers career readiness competencies.

Students also highlighted the personal and professional impact of their experiences.

A 2026 graduate shared, “I have grown so much as a person and as an employee.” Another 2026 respondent noted that their time in Academic Support “will be invaluable in my future career.”

As a result of renewable funding for only 40 student employees in the future, positions will become increasingly competitive, especially since working in Academic Support is a popular on-campus employment option:

“I would absolutely recommend younger students looking for student employment to look for openings in this office,” one 2025 graduate wrote.

Academic Support maintains a rolling application process throughout the year with priority review of applications before midterm in fall and spring semesters.

“Working in Academic Support provides students with opportunities to help their peers while developing skills that employers and graduate programs value,” Miller said. “The outcomes demonstrate that these experiences continue to have a meaningful impact long after students leave Auburn.”

To further exceptional post-graduation outcomes among all AU students, Academic Support staff created and launched UNIV 2100: Peer Education in Higher Education in 2023. The course provides opportunity for students in peer leadership roles at the University to refine and practice their skills and reflect on their learnings while serving others through peer leader positions throughout campus. Campus partners are invited to host sections of this course to support their peer leaders, too.   

For more information about employment opportunities and student success initiatives in Academic Support, visit academicsupport.auburn.edu.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land-grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.