Today we are featuring a glimpse into what #SApros & #SAgrads have said about success for new professionals working in Student Affairs & Higher Education.
How can new professionals succeed in Student Affairs? (What does success mean?)
Success is not determined by how many connections you make or the amount of presentations you give, but rather by the impact you have on the lives of students. When I first started, I assumed that being “successful” meant being popular at conferences and always being published. Rather, success is about how you utilize your skills and work with the people right in front of you. Networking is important, but it’s not the determining factor in “success”. How you operate in the day to day grind of this field is a better indicator of “success”.
~Sylvester Gaskin
I feel to be successful, you need to experiment with what works for you. You need to be comfortable taking risks and trying out new opportunities that may come your way. Keep your heart and mind open and try to explore an aspect of student affairs you might not have considered or understood. Grow more by trying and/or risking more. Sounds RISKY, I know. But it’s worth it!
~Craig Bidiman
The most critical part of this question is the part of “what does success mean?” I think it is important to determine what that means on an individual level and if it’s solely title, I would advise to re-evaluate the decision to part of the profession. As for how to succeed – be open to learning, to challenge, to discomfort, to new experiences, to relocation, to areas of the profession you never considered.
For me success has shifted throughout my career. In this part of my life, it’s about being able to pay my bills, contributing in positive ways to the profession, having my work reflect and support my values, growth, learning and laughing.
~Becky Martinez
Success in this field is directly correlated to your reasons for doing it in the first place. Whether you are a practical person or an idealist, make sure that your career choices always stay close to who you are. If you manage to hold onto that authenticity, you will know nothing other than success.
~Nate Johnson
Ah…the success question. Success sits on a continuum and I would hate for my definition of success to determine someone else’s definition. All I will say is that if you’re considering this field, begin the journey, (if you haven’t already), of finding yourself. You will meet many of your challenges in the faces of your future students and if you don’t know how to handle yourself, you will find this job, (actually, most jobs), to be aggravating. Once you know more about who you are, you will find the rewards that exist in this field each and every day. As I said earlier, I believe that Student Affairs is one of the most rewarding fields due to how you have direct hand in influencing change on all levels. You just have to understand your role in it all.
~Jamie Rosenbloom
Success in this field is best measured by the individual success of each student we work with. I cannot touch all of the students on my campus, but I can work with a significant number in my daily activities. I measure my success on the way in which they move forward toward their goals.
New professionals sometimes feel the need to move up quickly and progress to a certain level during a certain timeframe. I was that way at one time. I wanted to spend 2 years as an entry level professional, followed by no more than 3 years in the mid-level, and 5 to 7 years as a director to move ultimately to a senior student affairs officer on my campus. I was always looking to improve and move up. As the years moved on I found that the timeframe was not as important as feeling as though I was making a positive difference in my work.
I have always said that when I feel as though I cannot make a difference I will know it is time to leave the job and potentially the field. I have not reached that point and I do not expect I ever will. I love what I do and I love this field. There is much for us to accomplish and I am working to build community every day.
~Laurie A. Berry
It’s important to remember that there is hard work involved. Now, that’s not to say that the person with the most hours in the office in the evening wins. I’m saying that you focus on doing good work and creating a quality experience, even if it’s not glamorous. I have a Ph.D. I’m a Director, and I still move tables for events. You do the work that needs to be done.
~Niki Rudolph
I believe new professionals can succeed by having patience. I experience some new professionals too eager to move, to supervise, to manage, to climb the organizational ladder. I say – be stellar at the job you have. You will be noticed. When you are asked to do more, it is not because I am trying to burn you out, it is because you are good. Seek mentors, seek sponsors, seek a peace between what you have and what you desire. Be vulnerable.
~Deb Schmidt-Rogers
About our contributors:
Sylvester Gaskin
I am the Assistant Director of New Student Programs at Towson University located outside Baltimore, MD. I am responsible for first-year orientation programs, student staff hiring and development, and guiding assessment efforts for the department.
Years in field: 5-7
Connect with Sylvester on Twitter: @sylvestergaskin
Craig Bidiman
I am a second year graduate student in the Higher Education Administration MEd program at UMass Amherst! I focus a lot of my research on social media engagement as personal identity development of college students. I currently work as graduate assistant in the Center for Health Promotion at UMass Amherst, where I focus on peer education, sex-positive education, and messaging/marketing strategies through social media.
Years in field: 0-1
Connect with Craig on Twitter: @crigbididman
Becky Martinez
Dr. Becky Martinez is a consultant and trainer with an emphasis on social justice, leadership and organizational change. Her work focuses on dismantling systems of oppression through critical dialogue and reflection intertwined with theoretical foundations. Prior to full-time consultancy, Becky worked as an student affairs administrator at both public and private institutions in California and Colorado. She is currently a faculty member for the Social Justice Training Institute, a Co-Lead Facilitator for LeaderShape, and a certified trainer with GLSEN.
Years in field: 20-29
Connect with Becky on Twitter: @drbeckymartinez
Nate Johnson
Nathan Johnson, most commonly called Nate, is in his 12th year as a student affairs professional. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a degree in Sociology and received his masters degree from Eastern Michigan University. Nate has built a career on mentorship and helping others to explore their understated value and embrace their limitless potential. A common phrase that he uses often, “The world is made better or worse by the person that you choose to become,” is a cornerstone of how he lives his profession.
Years in field: 11-15
Connect with Nate on Twitter: @n8iveson
Jamie Rosenbloom
I am an educator with a foundation that exists in the overlap of leadership and student developments. I believe in meeting students where they are at and that anything is possible with the power of awe.
I am a reader of many things and a writer of fiction. I love crossword puzzles and warm weather.
B.S.-English, M.A.-Higher Education Leadership
Years in the field: 0-1
Connect with Jamie on Twitter: @JamieSara22
Laurie A. Berry
Laurie is currently the director of housing and residence life at the University of Southern Indiana. She is also a doctoral student at Indiana State University. Her dissertation is a qualitative study of the founding of the #wlsalt community. Laurie enjoys working with students. Her love of student affairs began at a night clerk at Western Kentucky University as an undergrad.
Laurie also enjoys contributing to regional and national organizations. She served for many years on the GLACUHO a board of directors. Currently Laurie is the ACUHO-I research committee liaison to the GLACUHO region as well as serving on the public policy advisory committee.
Years in field: 20-29
Connect with Laurie on Twitter: @LaurieABerry
Niki Rudolph
Niki is in academic affairs at Michigan State University.
Years in field: 16-20
Connect with Niki on Twitter: @NikiRudolph
Deb Schmidt-Rogers
Deb works in Auxiliary Services, Residence Life / Housing, Student Conduct at Northwestern University.
Years in field: 30+
Connect with Deb on Twitter: @DSchmidtRogers
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This post is part of our #CSAM14 series, looking to highlight both the careers of amazing student affairs professionals, and specific questions that dig deep into what it means to be in student affairs. Each post reflects the insights of student affairs professionals of all kinds. For more information, check out the intro post by Ryan Bye.
