Updated April 5, 2024
3 min read
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An advocate is a person who supports and speaks up for individuals or groups who are marginalized or in need of assistance. Advocates work to promote the rights and interests of their clients, often through providing legal advice, representation, or lobbying for policy changes. They may work in a variety of settings, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private law firms. Advocates must have strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the issues facing their clients.
How long does it takes to become an advocate?
It takes approximately 5 to 6 years to become an advocate.
Year 1-4: Bachelor's DegreeMost advocates need a bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years to complete.
Year 5: Additional Training and ExperienceAfter obtaining a degree, one typically needs 6-12 months of experience.
Year 5-6: On-Site and On-Job TrainingAdditionally, 1-3 months of on-site training and 1-3 months of on-job training are usually required.
- Salary$39,497
- Growth Rate12%
- Jobs Number74,970
- Most Common SkillCPR
- Most Common DegreeBachelor's degree
- Best StateNew York
Advocate pros and cons
Pros
Making a difference in people's lives
Working for a cause you believe in
Helping to shape policy and legislation
Developing skills in research, analysis, and communication
Contributing to social justice and equity
Cons
Dealing with difficult or emotionally taxing issues
Working long hours, including evenings and weekends
Facing opposition or resistance from those who disagree with the cause
Managing high caseloads or clients with complex needs
Balancing the needs of multiple clients or causes at once
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Advocate career paths
An advocate can take on many roles. They can become a counselor, therapist, or case manager to provide support and guidance to individuals. They may also choose to work as a senior case manager, director of social services, or clinician. In some cases, they may become a director or an education director. They can also work as a social worker, clinical supervisor, or clinical manager. They can also work as a consultant or an office manager.
Key steps to become an advocate
Explore advocate education requirements
If you're interested in becoming an advocate, you must consider how much education you need. Based on real advocate resumes, 57.9% of advocates have a bachelor's degree. Regarding higher education levels, 10.6% of advocates have master's degrees. Even though most advocates have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Most common advocate degrees
Bachelor's
57.9
%
Associate
16.4
%
Master's
10.6
%
Start to develop specific advocate skills
Advocates respond to crisis hotline calls, provide information regarding shelter services and community referrals, and monitor and follow-up with clients. They provide direction and assistance to chronically homeless participants, accompany hospital cases, and deliver case management, crisis intervention, and information/referrals to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. They also collaborate with law enforcement, victim advocates, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure perpetrator accountability.
See AlsoThe difference between a lawyer, advocate and attorney in South AfricaHow to become an attorney in South AfricaSenior Counsel Salary in South Africa in 2024Call to the Bar | Middle TempleSkills Percentages CPR 12.09% Customer Service 10.83% Developmental Disabilities 10.58% Cleanliness 10.33% Patients 8.17% Show more
Complete relevant advocate training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New advocates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an advocate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real advocate resumes.
Research advocate duties and responsibilities
Advocates provide information, support, and referrals to clients facing difficult situations. They answer crisis hotline calls, provide emergency support for sexual assault survivors, and monitor and follow up with clients after initial visits. They also work with community agencies and businesses to address clients' needs for food, clothing, employment, and other necessities. As one advocate put it, "Provided psychological and legal advocacy services to victims of domestic violence utilizing individual, group, crisis-line and walk-in counseling."
- Develop and maintain communication and contact with community services organizations and other agencies concern with veterans and public service programs.
- Perform CPR and a as needed.
- Administer first aid and CPR in emergency situations.
- Record daily efforts make into an ETO software system.
Prepare your advocate resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your advocate resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an advocate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Advocate Resume templates
Build a professional
Advocate
resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.
Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Advocate resume.Apply for advocate jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an advocate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
Are you an Advocate?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average advocate salary
The average Advocate salary in the United States is $39,497 per year or $19 per hour. Advocate salaries range between $26,000 and $58,000 per year.
Average
Advocate
Salary
$39,497Yearly
$18.99
hourly
More advocate salary info
What Am I Worth?
How do advocates rate their job?
-/5
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
Advocate reviews
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros
Working collaboratively with clients to help them understand themselves and experience their authentic selves.Learning from my clients.
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Cons
Secondary trauma and balancing administrative work with direct services.
Advocate FAQs
How long does it take to become an Advocate?
How many years does it take to become an advocate?
What does it take to be an advocate?
What is being an advocate?
Have more questions?
See all answers to common community and social services questions.Search for advocate jobs
Advocate jobs by state
- Advocate jobs in Alaska
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- Advocate jobs in Arkansas
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- Advocate jobs in California
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- Advocate jobs in District of Columbia
- Advocate jobs in Delaware
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- Advocate jobs in Hawaii
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- Advocate jobs in Puerto Rico
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- Advocate jobs in Utah
- Advocate jobs in Virginia
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- Advocate jobs in Wyoming
Updated April 5, 2024
Zippia Team
Editorial Staff
The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.
Advocate Related Careers
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Advocate Jobs By Company
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Updated April 5, 2024