Career in Student Affairs

1
Career in Student Affairs

• Career Services
• Bridgewater State College

2
Overview

• Historical Background
• Principles of Practice
• Roles
• Skills
• Education
• Experience
• Professional Organizations
• Career Paths
• Web Resources

3
Historical Background

• 1870 First Dean of Men at Harvard University
• 1892 First Dean of Women at The University of
  Chicago
• 1929 Columbia University offered the first
  degree in Student Affairs
• 1937 and 1949 The Student Personnel Points of
  View written
• 1970s Student Affairs change when voting age
  lowered to18
• Current trends
• Student development theory
• Student learning outcomes
• Student engagement

4
Principles of Practice

• Engages students in active learning.
• Helps students develop coherent values and
  ethical standards.
• Sets and communicates high expectations for
  student learning.
• Uses systematic inquiry to improve student and
  institutional performance.
• Uses resources effectively to achieve
  institutional missions and goals.
• Forges educational partnerships that advance
  student learning.
• Builds supportive and inclusive communities.

Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs,
www.myacpa.org/pgp/principle.htm
5
Roles

• Admissions
• Alcohol Drug Education
• Athletics
• Campus Center Operations
• Campus Police
• Career Services
• Childrens Center
• Community Service
• Commuter Services
• Counseling Center
• Disability Services
• Financial Aid
• GLBTA Services
• Health Services
• International Programs

• Multicultural Affairs
• New Student Orientation
• Parent and Family Programs
• Recreation Intramurals
• Residence Life
• Student Activities
• Student Leadership and Involvement

6
Skills of a Student Affairs Professional

• Strong interpersonal communication
• Presentation and public speaking
• Managing people, programs and services
• Computer and technology related skills
• Work with diverse student populations
• Creative program ideas
• Experience with evaluation and assessment
• Marketing, advertising, outreach
• Professional development opportunities
• Cross divisional programs work with faculty
• Problem solving, mediation, crisis work
• Team work

7
Education

• Are you certain a career in Student Affairs is
  for you?
• Graduate programs very specific and intense
• Are your career goals certain
• What are your career goals in Student Affairs?
• Most positions require a Masters degree
• Some opportunities require a Bachelors degree

8
Education

• What program is right for you?
• Determine the program that best suits your needs
• Counseling focus
• Administration focus
• Generalist vs. Specialist
• Sample Degree titles
• Master of Arts Counseling in Higher Education
• Master of Science College Student Personnel
• Master of Arts Higher Education Administration
• Master of Education Student Affairs
• ACPA and NASPA maintain directories of graduate
  programs on their websites

9
Education

• Geographic Location
• Public or Private, Small or Large
• Experiential opportunities
• Financial Concerns
• Assistantships, loans
• Full-time or Part Time
• Faculty - Practitioners or Researchers
• How many programs to consider

10
Education

• Entrance Requirements
• Application
• Standardized test scores
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Essays
• Interviews
• FAFSA and Financial Aid paperwork
• Assistantship or Internship application materials
• Resume
• Experience in Student Affairs
• Extracurricular Activities

11
Experience

• The key to landing your dream job in Student
  Affairs is EXPERIENCE!
• Assistantships and Internships
• Volunteer work
• Summer Internship programs
• ACUHO, NODA, ACPA
• Work with Student Organizations
• Committee work
• Event planning
• Leadership roles

12
Experience

• How can you prepare for a career in Student
  Affairs?
• Student Activities
• Leadership roles important
• Volunteer work
• Student Employment
• Job Shadowing
• Internships
• Mentoring roles
• Coursework

13
Professional Organizations

• There are several major organizations and each
  have regional branches
• ACPA, NASPA, NACE, ACUHO, NACA
• Most offer reduced student rates to join
• Gives access to resources, job search boards,
  placement fairs, conferences, and research
• Conferences are a great networking resource
• NASPA in Boston- MARCH 2008

14
Opportunities for Undergraduates Through
Professional Organizations

• NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program
• Encourages and supports minority students
  experience in Student Affairs
• Offers attendance to NASPAs annual conference,
  paid internship opportunities, summer leadership
  institute
• ACPA Next Generation Conference
• Two day conference for students considering
  careers in Student Affairs
• Connects you with administrators graduate
  schools

15
Sample Career Path

• Undergraduate degree in Psychology Franklin
  Marshall College
• Involved in volunteer work, campus center
  activities board, Resident Assistant
• Graduate degree in Counseling in Higher
  Education University of Delaware
• Graduate Assistantship working as a Hall Director
  for a 150 student residence building
• Internship in the Campus Health and Wellness
  program
• Residence Director at James Madison University
• In charge of overseeing the facilities and staff
  of a 1,500 first-year student residence area
  consisting of 8 buildings and a staff of 50.

16
Sample Career Path

• Undergraduate degree in Chemistry Kansas State
• Resident Assistant, President of GLBT student
  organization, Service Fraternity member
• Graduate Degree in Student Affairs Miami
  University
• Graduate Assistant in the Greek Life office
• Interned in the Campus Activities office
• Assistant Director of Campus Activities Penn
  State
• Worked with Student Government and service
  organizations
• Associate Director of Campus Activities Penn
  State
• Worked with Greek life, student center activities
  board, planning of large scale campus events
• Director of Greek Life Washington and Jefferson
  College

17
Web Resources

• A few websites to check out
• www.myacpa.org (ACPA)
• www.naspa.org (NASPA)
• www.studentaffairs.com
• www.naca.org (Campus Activities)
• www.fraternityadvisors.org
• www.acuho-i.org (Residence Life)
• www.nacada.ksu.edu (Academic Advising)
• www.ncda.org (Career Counseling Organization)
• www.nodaweb.org (New Student Orientation
  Organization)

18
Careers in Student Affairs

• Stop by our office to set up an appointment to
  discuss your career goals!
• Career Services
• Campus Center, Room 008
• [phone]
• www.bridgew.edu/careerservices
• Office Hours
• Monday-Friday 900am-500pm
• Tuesday Evenings 500-700pm