The Forty Year Plan: A Career in Student Affairs Steven Winslow Florida State University

Presentation Overview Ice Breaker Careers in Student Affairs Finding a Graduate Program Questions/Concerns

Ice Breaker! Name Institution Why are you interested in Student Affairs? What is one interesting fact about you?

So what is Student Affairs? Hard to define everything that Student Affairs encompasses “Student affair professionals perform a varied mixture of leading, educating, individual and group advising, counseling, supervising, teaching, training, planning, program development, inquiring, managing, financial management, and assessment and evaluation. Emerging functions include resource attraction and grant writing, entrepreneurship, outcomes assessment, political negotiation, and cultural assessment.” (Love, 2003)

Is Student Affairs for me? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider a career in student affairs. – Would you like to work on a college campus? – Do you enjoy being a part of a dynamic and enriching environment? – Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of college students? – Are you committed to creating environments of learning, diversity, and tolerance for all people? (NASPA, 2009)

Benefits of Working in Student Affairs* Ability to make a difference Wide range of choices Exciting work environment Potential for advancement Many available positions Fringe Benefits *(NASPA, 2009)

Student Affairs Functional Areas Student Union / Student Activities Housing Multicultural Affairs International Center Conduct / Judicial Affairs Orientation Student Government Greek Life First Year Experience (FYE) Leadership & Civic Education Career Center TRIO Programs Admissions Health/Counseling Center

Functional Areas in College Unions Student Activities Facilities/Operations Guest Services/Reservations Marketing Assessment Administration A Career in College Unions and Student Activities (ACUI, 2010) A Career in College Unions and Student Activities

I can get paid to do this?! Yes you can! But, consider the following: – Being an advisor/administrator is different from being a student leader – It’s not about you anymore – Don’t pursue a career in student affairs just because you want to relive your undergraduate years Allows you to create the positive experiences you had in college for new students

What should I do next? Get a master’s degree! – Most professionals in student affairs have a master’s degree – Positions in senior level administration usually require a doctoral degree Areas of Study: Higher Education, Student Affairs, College Student Personnel Programs vary substantially

Components of a Master’s Program Student Affairs/Higher Education Coursework – Student Development Theory – Diversity – Assessment – Statistics – History of Higher Education – Legal Aspects of Higher Education Graduate Assistantship Internship/Practicum Opportunities Typically takes two years of full-time study to complete

ACPA Directory of Graduate Programs Great Resource! Info about graduate programs in higher education / student affairs Also info about a career in student affairs and selecting a graduate program Information is not always up-to-date Directory of Graduate Programs (ACPA, 2006) Directory of Graduate Programs

US News & World Report Provides rankings of graduate programs While cited by media outlets, not the best way to select a program Tries to simplify a complex concept Can’t take into account personal factors Better Idea: Talk to professionals about graduate programs instead!

Applying to Graduate School Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Letters of Recommendation Resume Statement of Purpose / Intent Transcripts Writing Sample

Financial Aid Graduate Students are classified as “independent” for the FAFSA Federal Stafford Loans Scholarships/Grants Lifetime Learning Credit Graduate Assistantships

Opportunity to gain practical work experience Typically require twenty hours per week Compensation – Modest Stipend – Tuition Waiver Graduate Assistantships usually give students their first professional experience in student affairs

Visiting Campus Most programs invite students to come to campus for a visitation day – Meet faculty and students – Learn more about the program curriculum – Explore the location of the institution – Look at housing options – Interview for assistantships Helps with finding a program with a good “fit”

Finding “Fit” in Graduate Programs Fit is personal to the individual Factors that may impact fit include: – Location – Program Characteristics – Graduate Assistantships – Faculty Finding the right fit is very important

Questions?

References ACPA. (2006). Directory of Graduate Programs Preparing Student Affairs Professionals. Retrieved from ACUI. (2010). A Career in Student Unions and Student Activities. Retrieved from Love, Patrick. (2003). Considering a Career in Student Affairs. Retrieved from NASPA. (2009). NASPA: Careers. Retrieved from