Welcome to our community of advisors, learning support, and career services professionals! The Office of Academic & Career Success (OACS) is here to help you as you navigate your first weeks and months at UW–Madison. Beyond helping you gain access to information and training you’ll need professionally, OACS staff hope to support and connect with you as you start your career or new position with the university.
Step 1: Complete New Staff Form
Fill out the new advisor, learning support, and career services staff form.
OACS will use this information to begin the process of bringing new staff members into the community and connect them with important resources.
Step 2: Attend New Staff Welcome Session
Once you fill out the new staff form (above), you will be invited to a new staff welcome session with the Office of Academic & Career Success. In this session, you will have the opportunity to:
- Build connections with other professionals new in their role
- Learn about the history and structure of the Office of Academic & Career Success
- Explore training and professional development opportunities for new staff
- Recognize available tools and resources
Step 3: Subscribe
Sign up for these email lists to stay connected on upcoming trainings, community building opportunities, and more.
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New Staff Email List
- For: New Advising, Career Services, and Learning Support Staff
- Join this list during your first year at UW–Madison to stay updated on training and community building opportunities for new staff in the advising, career services, and learning support communities.
Advisor-link Email List
- For: Primarily advising staff, and may also be helpful for advising-adjacent roles including career services, learning support, and other student support roles
- Join this list for advising-related information at UW-Madison. The purpose of this list is primarily to help faculty, staff, and peer advisors keep informed about important information that may be of use in their advising roles.
Career Services Council Email List
- For: Primarily career services staff, and may also be helpful for those with an interest in supporting student career development and success.
- The Career Services Council (CSC) listserv is a subscription email list available for all UW-Madison staff and primarily intended for sharing career services-related information across campus.
Step 4: Participate in New Staff Programs
View OACS events intended for new staff in advising, career services, and learning support
Opportunities to build community while learning about key UW–Madison resources and when/how to refer students are also available through the Campus Resources and Referrals sessions.
Participants of Campus Resources and Referrals sessions will build connections while learning about UW-Madison student support offices, such as: Dean of Students, University Health Services, McBurney Disability Resource Center, and more.
Campus Resources and Referrals occurs monthly from October through May.
By joining the New Staff Email List (above), you’ll automatically receive information about Campus Resources and Referrals sessions.
Step 5: Learn About More Opportunities
Connect to a Mentor
Learn about campus resources to connect with and learn from experienced staff.
Technology Tools
Learn more about the tools available to advisors and career services staff, including the Advising Gateway, Advisor Notes System, Handshake, and more.
DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) Training
DARS is a tool used to help advise enrollment and degree requirements. Learn more about DARS resources and trainings.
FERPA Information
FERPA — the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended — is a federal law that governs the privacy of student education records, access to those records, and disclosure of information from them.
Learning Communities
The Office of Academic & Career Success, in partnership with Learning Communities for Institutional Change and Excellence, coordinates three learning communities for members of the advising and career services community.
Professional Organizations
UW-Madison advising and career services staff are encouraged to join and participate in regional and national professional organizations. From resources, to networking opportunities, to conference experiences, these organizations provide additional opportunities for growth and development.
All OACS Events
Learn about other training, community building, and professional development events hosted by the Office of Academic & Career Success.
For Graduate Program Coordinators
If you are also a graduate program coordinator, learn more about training opportunities related to that aspect of your role.
UW Suicide Prevention Training
UW-Madison students often look to faculty or staff for support when they are struggling. The UW-Madison Suicide Prevention Training provides a guide for having conversations and can also increase your confidence in talking with students about mental health and suicide.