Leslie Page – Office of Orientation – www.usf.edu/orientation
Keri Riegler – New Student Connections - http://newstudent.usf.edu/
CAS Standards to review: Prologue, Part One, Orientation Programs
Please review the questions and answers below from Leslie Page. I will post Keri Riegler's response in upcoming days as a comment beneath this post.
I got started in student affairs as a Resident Assistant at Bowling Green State University. From there I became involved in many different things on campus—one of which was being an Orientation Leader. After undergrad at BGSU I decided to go to Kent State University for my masters. During that time I worked as a graduate assistant in academic advising at Kent State and as a GA in housing at Ursuline College. After my first year at Ursuline I moved in to the role of Assistant Director of Student Activities. Also during grad school I did internships in Alumni Relations, the Dean of Students Office (which allowed me to do assessment and accreditation), and Campus Activities. After I finished grad school I became a Residence Life Coordinator here at the University of South Florida. I was in this role for two years in the Andros 2 area and then became the Assistant Director of Orientation. This past May I was promoted to the Associate Director of Orientation and I’m continuing to work in the area of the field that I loved so much during undergrad and grad school.
2.) Explain the particular challenges of your work. What are the special rewards?
There are plenty of challenges in Orientation—student transition issues, family transition issues, dealing with student leaders, etc. I’d say the biggest challenge we face in Orientation is ensuring that each student gets the best view of the university that we can possibly share and ensuring that all of our partners across campus feel like a part of the process. It is difficult to include everyone wishes in to the overall program because there is a limited amount of time throughout the day. Other challenges as an orientation professional are balancing the very demanding summer schedule when most people around you have slower work schedules. This causes difficulty in balancing the personal and professional and finding time for yourself.
The rewards are never ending. I get to see students and parents realize that they’ve chosen the right place for the student to attend for the next few years. Another huge reward in my specific position is working with the Orientation Team Leaders and watching them change and grow throughout their time in the position and beyond. Our students learn so much about themselves and their teammates and they truly value their experience as an OTL, it’s extremely rewarding to know I played a part in that development.
3.) Are there any problems you've faced that you would now handle differently? Can you describe one of them?
One of the problems I faced in student affairs was in a position when there was tension between various levels of employees. I was the newest person in the situation and felt like I didn’t have the ability at the time to change the feelings between people so I sat back and dealt with it the first year. During my second year I worked very hard to build a relationship between the levels and bring harmony to that portion of the office. If I had it to do over again I would have tried to help that first year instead of being saddened and frustrated that people couldn’t get along. There are some things you sit back for when you’re new, but when it starts affecting you personally you need to really consider stepping up and doing something.
4.) What advice would you give to a student preparing for student affairs work?
Lots of things! First, take complete advantage of grad school. Try not to completely overwhelm yourself, but seek out as many opportunities as you can handle. Find things outside your assistantship that make your experience varied and/or ask for new responsibilities in your assistantship if you know you can handle them. Try new things now so you can shape your job search in a few years. Also, take time to really learn who you are as a professional, colleague, supervisor, advisor, etc. Once you can learn your own style you can plan more easily for the future. Make great connections throughout your institution and do what you can to foster those relationships. Find professionals you want to know more about and schedule a meeting/coffee break/lunch with them to learn more about what they do and then maintain those relationships throughout your time in grad school. I have a bunch of others I could share, so ask me anytime if you’d like!