{Note: there are small to medium-sized spoilers in this article!}
Ah, summer. A time to breathe a little easier, work on projects…and escape to the movies to enjoy the latest blockbusters! I love this time of year because there is nothing better than enjoying buttery popcorn and chilly air conditioning while losing yourself in a fun flick. None has enthralled me more than the reboot of the 80s classic, Ghostbusters.
Confession: I’ve been eagerly anticipating this movie for well over a year. I followed its production through Facebook fan pages and official Twitter accounts. I bought the action figures before seeing it, invested before setting foot in the theater. So I was thrilled when the movie not only exceeded my (high) expectations, but got me thinking about implications for our field. Ghostbusters offers some great reminders for student affairs professionals.
Answer the call
The movie follows four women who band together to hunt ghosts in New York City. Two of the women, Abby and Erin, have been passionate about studying paranormal activity since they were young. Abby devotes her life to studying it while Erin opts to pursue other scientific endeavors. They come back together and form the Ghostbusters after Erin encounters a spirit and remembers her passion for the subject. She answers her calling, and learns new things about herself in the process.
Erin’s journey mirrors many of our stories. Most professionals are in student affairs because we feel drawn to it. To ignore that internal calling means to deny fulfillment and that journey towards becoming a better person and professional. Watching Erin grow and make meaning of her identity as a Ghostbuster reminded me of how valuable answering the call to your passion is. How can we continue to answer our individual callings, even if it’s challenging to do so?
Dignity and respect are requirements
Each of the four Ghostbusters is unique; they all bring their own worlds of knowledge and talent to the team. Not only is this recognized, it is celebrated. Holtzmann is a quirky scientist who chooses to rock a faux-hawk and break out into dances with welding torches. She also invents all of the tools the group uses to capture ghosts and is applauded for her intellect. Patty joins the group when she realizes her deep knowledge of NYC history could be helpful. No one questions her or turns her away; the team accepts her and she helps with key logistics.
On the Ghostbusters’ team, everyone has value and every person is given dignity and respect. All voices are heard and valued, which is a critical key to their success. In that same way, we as student affairs practitioners need to challenge ourselves to recognize and value all people and views, even if we don’t agree with them. It is critical to successfully assisting students and becoming stronger institutions that support the journey of learning. How do we work to ensure that all voices are heard and valued in our departments and schools?
Embrace authenticity
Giving people the respect they deserve allows them to feel safe and to then explore their personalities. This is shown throughout Ghostbusters as each member embraces their authentic selves in different ways. Abby finds strength as a leader while Erin reclaims pieces of her identity by rekindling her passion for the paranormal. Holtzmann deep dives into nuclear physics (as well as dumpsters) to improve their equipment and Patty becomes the heart of the team by using her logic and heart to empower the group. They are all successful individually because they feel empowered to be authentic.
In that same way, we should be working to show our authentic selves to our students and coworkers. How can we show authenticity in our day to day interactions? We also need to celebrate others’ expressions of authenticity and support people on their journeys of self-discovery. How do we work to empower our colleagues and students to embrace their authenticity?
Uplift and support one another
The Ghostbusters are strong individually, but they are far mightier as a team. Their strengths lies in their support of one another. Because they respect and value each other and play off each other’s strengths, they are able to form a united front. People are stronger when they are built up, not torn down.
In contrast, the villain, Rowan, became disenchanted because he was bullied as a child. He knew he was smart, but because of his hard childhood, he chose to use his genius in dark ways. If he had a support system or any positive presence in his life, he may have encountered a brighter future. As practitioners we should support people on their journeys and help them become the best they can be. We need to be a positive presence in their lives. How do we uplift and support the people in our lives?
We may not be answering the call to evacuate ghosts, but the work we’re doing matters. Reflect then dive in, just as our four heroes have done. And if you haven’t seen Ghostbusters yet? I highly recommend treating yourself.
> BONUS <
Podcast With Anne Scheideler Sweet on Academic Advising
