1.) Describe your career path, how you started and how you got to your current position. My first introduction to the field of Student Affairs was working as a federal work study student in the Dean of Students Office, while an undergraduate. As a graduate student I worked as a resident director. After graduate school my first professional position involved planning events for various student populations (the office was called Human Relations Office) such as international students, students with disabilities, transfer students, freshman, older students, etc. While working with different student populations I became interested in career development and its positive impact on student development and retention. I began my doctoral work, with this as my primary focus of study. I was hired as a career counselor, was promoted to Assistant Director, then Associate Director and moved into a Director position. Along the way, while still maintaining my role in a university Career Center, I have been a private career coach with executives, co-owner of a professional development training company and served as an adjunct faculty.
2.) Explain the particular challenges of your work. What are the special rewards? The greatest challenge is having sufficient financial support, enough personnel and adequate physical space to be able to fully expand services to best serve students and alumni. Perhaps the greatest and most special reward is the opportunity to oversee and develop an office that assists students in developing a career plan and then sharing in their joy and celebration when they reach their goal. Another special reward is the opportunity to work with thousands of different industries and organizations over the years….I am still amazed at all the work world has to offer students.
3.) Are there any problems you've faced that you would now handle differently? Can you describe one of them? As a new supervisor I found I was too concerned with being a friend or being liked by those I supervised. I recall one situation where an employee thought of me as her friend and made assumptions that I’d look the other way when she didn’t meet deadlines, was late to work or that I would approve any requests for time off, even during major events. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that while you can be friendly with the staff you supervise and that you can create a positive and respectful work relationship with them….. it’s prudent that you not develop a friendship that goes beyond work or that gets too personal….for when you have to provide constructive criticism or fire someone for poor work performance it makes it that much more difficult.
4.) What advice would you give to a student preparing for student affairs work? Gain as much experience as possible. Be sure you really like working with students! Build your “brand” as someone who can get things done, even in the midst of budget limitations, red tape and barriers…..Once you obtain your first professional position, volunteer for those extra projects that involve connecting with others outside your area….this will build and expand your professional network and foster greater partnership opportunities for projects and/or collaboration down the road.
1. I was a journalism major in college and graduate school. I spent 15 years as a full-time newspaper reporter and editor. I worked at several newspapers, including the Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Rocky Mountain News in Denver and the Orange County Register in Southern California. After graduate school at USF, where I taught reporting in the School of Mass Communications, I was offered the Director of Student Publications position in 1993 on an interim basis for one year. I liked working with the students and applied for the permanent position, which I got in 1994.
2. The job presents a variety of challenges, including student turnover. You don’t get to keep your most accomplished leaders and journalists long because of professional internships, employment with one of the big dailies or graduation. It’s a constant process of training and retraining. Another ongoing challenge involves content. As the adviser, I do no prior review, meaning I don’t see any of the stories before publication. I write a lengthy critique each day after reading the paper. I am available to discuss stories beforehand, and the students do seek advice. We talk about the best ways to report and write a story, along with legal issues and possible repercussions from publishing controversial subject matter. But the paper is editorially independent and content is student-controlled. As for rewards, professional reporters get a measure of job satisfaction from writing stories that effect positive change or prompt community dialogue for the common good. As an adviser, that same satisfaction comes from seeing the students emulate their professional counterparts in quality of work, and in watching them succeed in media careers after graduation.
3. Content-related problems have arisen over the years, and they have extended beyond news coverage to advertising. One is memorable, and it involves accountability and sticking to your principles. About four or five years ago, I let our advertising director make a decision regarding acceptance of an ad for a “strip poker night for college students” at one of Pasco County’s clothing-optional resorts. All my instincts told me to suggest pulling the ad because it was against the character of content in the Oracle. But I let the advertising director make the call, with the help of the student advertising manager. The ad ran, and the ensuing uproar from students, staff and parents was predictable. As the accountable officer, I was left to defend something I opposed from the outset. It again reminded me that when you are a manager, you have to manage, regardless if students, staff or customers disagree. Stick to your principles and values.
4. Aside from the long hours that you probably already know about, prospective student affairs professionals need to be prepared for a variety of roles with students. You will be, at different times, the older sibling, parent, teacher, mentor and psychologist. You also will be a tremendous influence on students. Comport yourself accordingly.
Dr. Howard's responses to this week's blog:
ReplyDelete1.) Describe your career path, how you started and how you got to your current position. My first introduction to the field of Student Affairs was working as a federal work study student in the Dean of Students Office, while an undergraduate. As a graduate student I worked as a resident director. After graduate school my first professional position involved planning events for various student populations (the office was called Human Relations Office) such as international students, students with disabilities, transfer students, freshman, older students, etc. While working with different student populations I became interested in career development and its positive impact on student development and retention. I began my doctoral work, with this as my primary focus of study. I was hired as a career counselor, was promoted to Assistant Director, then Associate Director and moved into a Director position. Along the way, while still maintaining my role in a university Career Center, I have been a private career coach with executives, co-owner of a professional development training company and served as an adjunct faculty.
2.) Explain the particular challenges of your work. What are the special rewards? The greatest challenge is having sufficient financial support, enough personnel and adequate physical space to be able to fully expand services to best serve students and alumni. Perhaps the greatest and most special reward is the opportunity to oversee and develop an office that assists students in developing a career plan and then sharing in their joy and celebration when they reach their goal. Another special reward is the opportunity to work with thousands of different industries and organizations over the years….I am still amazed at all the work world has to offer students.
3.) Are there any problems you've faced that you would now handle differently? Can you describe one of them? As a new supervisor I found I was too concerned with being a friend or being liked by those I supervised. I recall one situation where an employee thought of me as her friend and made assumptions that I’d look the other way when she didn’t meet deadlines, was late to work or that I would approve any requests for time off, even during major events. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that while you can be friendly with the staff you supervise and that you can create a positive and respectful work relationship with them….. it’s prudent that you not develop a friendship that goes beyond work or that gets too personal….for when you have to provide constructive criticism or fire someone for poor work performance it makes it that much more difficult.
4.) What advice would you give to a student preparing for student affairs work? Gain as much experience as possible. Be sure you really like working with students! Build your “brand” as someone who can get things done, even in the midst of budget limitations, red tape and barriers…..Once you obtain your first professional position, volunteer for those extra projects that involve connecting with others outside your area….this will build and expand your professional network and foster greater partnership opportunities for projects and/or collaboration down the road.
Jay Lawrence's response to questions 1 and 2:
ReplyDelete1. I was a journalism major in college and graduate school. I spent 15 years as a full-time newspaper reporter and editor. I worked at several newspapers, including the Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Rocky Mountain News in Denver and the Orange County Register in Southern California. After graduate school at USF, where I taught reporting in the School of Mass Communications, I was offered the Director of Student Publications position in 1993 on an interim basis for one year. I liked working with the students and applied for the permanent position, which I got in 1994.
2. The job presents a variety of challenges, including student turnover. You don’t get to keep your most accomplished leaders and journalists long because of professional internships, employment with one of the big dailies or graduation. It’s a constant process of training and retraining. Another ongoing challenge involves content. As the adviser, I do no prior review, meaning I don’t see any of the stories before publication. I write a lengthy critique each day after reading the paper. I am available to discuss stories beforehand, and the students do seek advice. We talk about the best ways to report and write a story, along with legal issues and possible repercussions from publishing controversial subject matter. But the paper is editorially independent and content is student-controlled. As for rewards, professional reporters get a measure of job satisfaction from writing stories that effect positive change or prompt community dialogue for the common good. As an adviser, that same satisfaction comes from seeing the students emulate their professional counterparts in quality of work, and in watching them succeed in media careers after graduation.
Jay's response to questions 3 and 4:
ReplyDelete3. Content-related problems have arisen over the years, and they have extended beyond news coverage to advertising. One is memorable, and it involves accountability and sticking to your principles. About four or five years ago, I let our advertising director make a decision regarding acceptance of an ad for a “strip poker night for college students” at one of Pasco County’s clothing-optional resorts. All my instincts told me to suggest pulling the ad because it was against the character of content in the Oracle. But I let the advertising director make the call, with the help of the student advertising manager. The ad ran, and the ensuing uproar from students, staff and parents was predictable. As the accountable officer, I was left to defend something I opposed from the outset. It again reminded me that when you are a manager, you have to manage, regardless if students, staff or customers disagree. Stick to your principles and values.
4. Aside from the long hours that you probably already know about, prospective student affairs professionals need to be prepared for a variety of roles with students. You will be, at different times, the older sibling, parent, teacher, mentor and psychologist. You also will be a tremendous influence on students. Comport yourself accordingly.