Advising is one of many hats worn by SA Professionals. It can be very rewarding to help shape the values and ideals of your students. It seems only natural that those values and ideals match your own, but where’s the line? Particularly, with the sensitive issue of Faith?

Linda Adams from Central VA Community College, whom you met before as our last “Better Get To Know an SA Professional,” shares her take:

As I approach my 15 years of working in the field of extracurricular activities my faith has been my foundation over those years. When I was hired, my statement to the interview panel was that I did not want to compromise my faith in the state institution but to live out my faith in my daily activities.
I find that my faith helps me to love and show compassion to all students no matter who they are. I depend on God to give me the strength to work through the situations which may be hard to handle. When put to the test I depend upon my faith to be my guide.
Obviously, I work with students from all backgrounds and beliefs and it is always thrilling to discuss my faith with the students when asked. I do not believe that God intends for me to force my faith on anyone but to quietly live out my faith as an example of my hope. The greatest legacy I feel I can leave the students is to mentor them, pray for them, and most of all accept them.

By default, SA folk are advisers and mentors. So, how do you manage the mix between your job and faith, especially, as Linda pointed out, when working with students of all backgrounds and beliefs?