If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now Presenter Kathy Campbell, Chemeketa Community College

Real Life Isn’t a Case Study Issues are not always clearly defined Solutions within your purview may not be the answer individuals want to hear Solving one issue may lead to another (and another and another) You may not be able to solve the issue Delivering the message can be difficult How you deliver the message is at least as important, if not more so, than the message itself

A “Typical Work Week” doesn’t happen often Office hours are 8-5 M-F (or earlier or later) Minimal travel, occasional evening or weekend work “may” occur The real expectation is that you are responsible for getting the job done and that often includes working longer days and weekends Be prepared to drop everything and revise your priorities There are many days nothing comes off of your “To Do” list

You can’t always be the good guy You can’t fix everything Sometimes the answer is really “No” Financial Aid is not always seen as “good” by other departments on campus or by instructors—What??? It sure is hard to please everyone The “Line of Fire” can include your own staff Be prepared to do a lot of explaining

You need to ask for what you need Administrators are not mind readers and they may not notice you Come up with a solid strategy for asking for money, space, equipment, time and personnel Just because you can’t get it this time, keep it on the list for next time Be sure to say please and also thank you If you stay buried at your desk you will not get noticed, nor will your department Be pleasant and courteous, not demanding and threatening

Pay attention to politics Know the players and the gatekeepers Be aware of the culture on your campus Word travels fast so be prepared Know who you can trust with information (and secrets) and who you can’t Outside people look in Know what you are talking about or it will show Keep up good relationships

Not Everyone Likes Financial Aid We have to enforce rules and regulations which many don’t understand or care to understand We run out of money We get known as a “stumbling block” Some people think they can get a different answer by going up a level in the organization We take a lot of blame for decisions made by others

FA is not a “Do it yourself” project You don’t have to reinvent the wheel…borrow it from a colleague The three “C’s” (Communication, Collaboration and Connections) will take you farther faster and make your job much easier There are many good examples of forms, procedures, etc. out there on the Internet People that know you are so willing to help you FA is really a team sport (and it sometimes takes a village)

Build a circle of friends You need a small group of individuals (on campus and one with just FA folks) that you admire and can trust Make this your “Go To” groups for advice, answers and venting It doesn’t need to be big (3-5 people in each group is probably adequate Reputations are at stake! Remember to offer to be there for them also You can also find a mentor

Keep yourself informed Things can change quickly—sometimes hourly Keep updated on what you know Share your knowledge with others, as needed You don’t need to know everything yourself but you do need to know where to find the information Send your staff to the FSA Handbook and IFAP to look up information first It’s okay to say, “let me find out more about that and I’ll get back to you soon”.

Take care of yourself Without your health, you lose power and strength Family and friends are important Find things (hobbies, events, classes) outside of FA that interest you Be sure to get away from your desk everyday and take a walk Go to lunch (real lunch) every so often Keep smiling Remember to breathe (sticky notes on your monitor, aromatherapy)

Financial Aid Isn’t for everyone You have to be able to handle stress You have to be able to say “No” nicely You have to be flexible You have to be able to adapt to change—and quickly You have to support ideas and concepts you do not necessarily agree with You need to be good with both people skills and paperwork

Bits of Wisdom The more presentations you do, the more comfortable you will become Don’t create more work, parameters, procedures, policies and processes than you need to. Someone will find them and hold you to them Students are our customers and without them, we wouldn’t have our jobs You might have answered that same question multiple times but it’s new for this student Financial Aid is a career, not just a job Do as you say AND as you do