1. We’re Looking for A Few Good Students! Ivan Blount Student Affairs Graduate Assistant Eastern Illinois University Dr. Chuck Eberly Faculty, Department of Counseling and Student Development Eastern Illinois University

2. What is “Student Affairs” all about? “O ne of the basic purposes of higher education is the preservation, transmission, and enrichment of the important elements of culture; the product of scholarship, research, creative imagination, and human experience. It is the task of colleges and universities to vitalize this and other educational purposes so as to assist the student in developing to the limits of his [her] potentialities and in making his [her] contribution to the betterment of society. This philosophy imposes upon educational institutions the obligations to consider the student as a whole -- his (her) intellectual capacity and achievement, his (her) emotional makeup, his (her) physical condition, his (her) social relationships, his (her) vocational aptitudes and skills, his (her) moral and religious values, his (her) economic resources, and his (her) aesthetic appreciations. It puts emphasis, in brief, upon the development of the student as a person rather than upon his (her) intellectual training alone.” Student Personnel Point of View, 1937 American Council on Education

3. Where do Student Affairs professionals practice their work? Private and public colleges and universities Four year colleges and universities Community colleges Graduate and professional schools Proprietary schools University systems State higher education systems Educational foundations, professional associations Government agencies Private educational companies and agencies (Reesor, 2000)

4. Careers in College Student Affairs Where can you find information about graduate programs on your campus? What factors make a difference to you in selecting a graduate program? Where can you find useful information on the net?

5. In a recent study of more than 300 student affairs graduate students, students typically checked for Location In-state preferred Work Experience Opportunities Assistantships, Internships Academic Reputation of Program Asked mentors on their campus -(Taub & McEwen, 2000)

6. Other Points to Consider are: Philosophy of Program Is it consistent with yours? Learning Resources Available On-site, internet ? Comparisons to Other Programs (Taub & McEwen, 2000) Program flexibility (ftf, net, transfer)

7. CSA Student Characteristics Most students (80%) are full-time grads Two-thirds are less than 26; rest are older Women (70%); Men (30%) White (90.6%); Black (6%), Other (3.4%) Most applied to one program only

8. People looking at more than one program Checked the school’s academic reputation Looked at more than one region of U.S. Looked for good GA positions Compared cost of attending Checked for affordable housing Checked program curricular emphases Wanted a longer program over a shorter one Looked if CAS Standards were met

9. Decisions were Pragmatic Location is the most important factor Usually within own state or region Cost of attending graduate school Stipends, GAs, Living arrangements Attractiveness of Graduate Assistantships Pay, work environment, challenge Attractiveness of Practica/Internships

10. What undergraduate major do I need for Student Affairs? Almost any undergraduate major will do nicely, as long as you have a grade point average above a 3.00 GPA in order to qualify for a graduate assistantship. Take advantage of any elective undergraduate leadership classes

11. What can I do now to prepare for a Career in Student Affairs? Start creating your resume of accomplishments now, and maintain your grades above a 3.00 GPA. Develop a range of computer skills.

12. Be an undergraduate leader Become a Residence Hall Resident Assistant Participate in Freshman Orientation, Admissions Tours, etc. Become a campus leader in clubs, organizations, fraternities and sororities Get involved in Student Senate, Judicial Board Get an on-campus job (work-study, etc.)

13. Develop Mentors in CSA Campus CSA professional staff member Greek Affairs Administrator Hall Director Student Activities Director Campus administrator, VPSA, Dean of Students, etc. You will need their recommendations

14. Identify your Area(s) of Interest Greek Affairs Residence Life Student Activities Academic Advising Counseling Minority Affairs Admissions Orientation Health Education Judicial Affairs Testing/assessment Union Programming Alumni Affairs Campus Recreation

15. Research Graduate Programs Surf through National Websites: NASPA, ACPA, CAHEP, AFA, NODA, NACA, Studentaffairs.com (we’ll provide these to you) Graduate School Catalogs CSA Program Brochures Graduate Assistants on your campus Student Affairs Program Staff on your campus Surf through Campus Websites Contact people in the program, and then Make a road trip to the campuses that interest you

16. Seek a Graduate Assistantship A GA is a member of the University staff; not a student. Balance of work role and academic role Type of work: routine or varied day-to-day Connection to your professional goals Summer waiver of course fees/tuition Ask for on-campus information about Graduate Assistantships Seek an individual interview with program faculty and student affairs staff Go to the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (especially for residence life GAs)Oshkosh Placement Exchange

17. Develop Your Professionalism Now! Join a national student affairs professional association as a student member NASPA: Minority Fellows Program ACPA: Next Generation Program Read the Chronicle of Higher Education in the campus libraryChronicle of Higher Education Look for a regional Careers in Student Affairs Day (in Illinois and Indiana, ACPA’s Student Affairs 101 Fall Career Conference).

18. Items to think about Your reasons for pursuing a degree Institutional reputation; program reputation Your compatibility with program faculty Degree program requirements Credit hours, Thesis?, Comp Exams?, Understanding program emphases: Generalist, Student Development, Counseling, Administration

19. Managing graduate level academic work Masters only, or with a PhD component? Opportunities for research with your profs. Opportunities to interact with current graduate students Is there a student affairs graduate association? Access to technology on and off - campus Opportunities for internships, externships, mentoring and teaching Ability to transfer graduate work into the degree Your age in relation to other students

20. Financial Assistance Graduate Assistantship opportunities Relocating to a new area Living accommodations: on- or off-campus? Space for your spouse/partner Developing new relationships on a new campus Placement assistance after you graduate

21. Clues for a Good Fit: Face-to-face interaction with faculty, staff Informal discussions with current students On-campus interviews Visits with program faculty and student affairs staff on-site Personal assessment of your writing, speaking abilities Recommendations of your professors, campus staff, campus mentors Self-assessment of strengths, weaknesses - style and skill

22. Questions?