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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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”.

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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