@Kmccarthy8185@ammamarfo

Once Upon A Time…

#LEI10

#sachat

@OBERBECCA@JoeGinese

#52IN52

The Purpose of This Project

Build long lasting relationships

Help me figure out my “fit”

Hear the stories of others

Learn about current issues at other institutions

To engage in conversations outside of the classroom and connect it to my classwork

Information I Asked For..Their story

What are some current issues their office or institution are facing?

What advice would you give a first year graduate student?

What advice would you give a seconded year graduate student?

Any questions for myself?

What I Learned…1. Current Issues:

Mental health- what services/programs are we providing our students?

Space.- How can we put on programs/ add more classes/ hire more staff/build more residence halls if we do not have the space?

Budget cuts- Now what? How to do more with less without over working ourselves?

Staffing – More students + budget cuts+ less space= we need more staff, but how?

Increasing enrollment Self care- As professionals are we remembering to take care of

ourselves?  We need to be a role model for students. Working students/finances- Some of our student are working 2-

3 jobs just to pay for college. How do we help them balance schoolwork, work, and a social life?

2. Support- Many professionals found support from the following areas:

Co-workers Their division Social media: Twitter, (#sachat) Facebook,

National Committees, etc. Spouse/significant other/family/friends/mentors Students

3. Networking!!!

What I Learned…

Best Advice…1. The power of networking

2. “What are my non-negotiables?”

3. Support yourself with others who can give you support.

4. Surrender the need to KNOW EVERYTHING

5. Policies: always ask the meaning behind them.

My Challenges

Paying attention to detail

I would have asked more defined questions

Writing a blog after each interview

[Demographics of Grads]How many?

What states/institutions?

Those with assistantships vs. those without

1. What was the biggest challenge about your transition from 

your undergraduate institution to graduate school?

1. Transition in General Class structure Expectation from Faculty Time management Knowing the institutions process

2. Pressure to perform well academically and in our assistantship

3. Balance Assistantship AND being a student

“One of the biggest challenges for me was time management and all that came with it--balancing life as a graduate ASSISTANT with life as a graduate STUDENT, especially. “Cassidy Sansone - FSU

Additional responsibilities Obligations to friends and family Finding time for yourself

4. Identity Letting go Starting over Relationships

5. Homesickness

6. Connecting with cohort

7. Culture “Moving to a new and unfamiliar area; this was just an

additional unwanted stressor as classes began and I struggled to find a routine and balance between work and the course load” -Lauren Hoffmann, Kent State University

8. Support

1. What was the biggest challenge about your transition from 

your undergraduate institution to graduate school?

2. What are some of your expectations that  you have for your first professional position 

out of graduate school?

1. Professional development

“I expect professional development training and to be valued as an employee.” -Nikita O'Connor, FSU

2. Being able to ask questions and give input

3. Supportive and challenging environment

“I expect to be treated as professional. I expect my supervisor to find a balance of advising me to ensure success and allowing me to be autonomous in my job responsibilities” -Michelle Robinson, FSU

“I will look forward to those challenging days as I know they will help me to grow as a professional and a person.” -Andrea Cappello, USF

4. Room for growth

“To be trusted to do the job. I have the experience, I have the knowledge, and now i'll have the degree - I don't want to spend years and years earning the trust from supervisors to make decisions regarding the student population I will oversee and work with. I need the room to grow in the field with support being given as an individual.” -Heilit Biehl, Nova Southeastern University

5. Respect

3. What challenges do you anticipate dealing with in your first 

professional position? (Institutional or personal)

1. Consistent work/ life balance “A more consistent work life balance. There are times when I

feel as I will have "more time" as a professional than I do now because of school work, however the grass may not be greener on the other side. I won't know until I get there. Work life balance is a challenge now, however saying no, honestly comes out easier than it ever used to in my life before.” -Monica Rochon, University of South Florida

2. Adapting to the student population and campus culture

3.Office Culture “The challenges I expect will be if my office doesn't utilize me

enough” -Jessica, Bowling Green State University

4. Building a support network and adapting to a new environment #SAYR1 ( Student affairs year 1)

Where Do New Professionals Fit Into This?

How to Strengthen the Bridge?

Asking questions!

Being okay with not having all the answers

Comprehensive training (NOT just manuals)

Managing expectations

The New Pro Participants53 participants from 21 states

The majority have completed graduate preparatory programs

Participants could have up to 5 years experience19 had less than 1 year of experience16 had 3 years8 had 2 years 5 had 4 years3 had 1 year2 had 5 years

1. What surprised you the most about your transition in to a new professional?

What do you wish you’d known?

Change in perception “I was most surprised by the immediate change in the

way students interact with me […] they saw me as professional staff and did not interact with me as positively/openly when I was a student.”

“Suddenly my opinion was wanted and my voice was heard by those who were in much higher positions.” –Amanda, USF

Level of preparedness “My program and assistantship truly did prepare me to

tackle whatever came my way.” “I wish I had known- and realized- that it really is okay

to make mistakes. You need to learn as much as your students do!” –Megan, UGA

Unique nature of each campus “Learning the culture has been more difficult than I had

thought due to the intricacies and traditions that make my current institution unique.”

The need to do what’s right for you! “I’ve learned to make the opportunities I want happen by

myself. I need to take ownership of my experience, happiness and professional development.” –Tom, George Mason (VA)

“The thing I wish I would have known is the importance of honoring your own needs/wants in the job search. I would have benefitted greatly from respecting my own wishes and doing some soul searching instead of moving forward with a cross country move that resulted in a lot of stress for me.” –Vince, Stetson

1. What surprised you the most about your transition in to a new professional?

What do you wish you’d known?

2. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

“The most important thing has been knowing when to shut up and when to speak up. As an entry level professional you want to bring what you know and your skills […] show everyone how excellent you are at your job, and then they’ll listen to your ideas.” –Stephanie, Texas State

“You must begin to immediately form an idea of who you are. This does not mean that you shouldn’t continue to grow and change, but until you know your priorities, your ethics and your strengths, it’s very difficult to function and get work done.”

“The lesson I have learned the most through my experience is building solid relationships with your co-workers. Feeling as though you have friends to talk to at work is crucial during the first few months of a new position.”- Kris, USF

“[…]Regardless of how hard I try, there is ALWAYS going to be bureaucratic red tape. Picking my battles is the only way I will stay sane. Sometimes I will pick the wrong ones, but sometimes I can make a difference when I have a more calm positive attitude.” –Megan, HCC Plant City

2. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

“You have to take time to ask questions and get to know your job and those around you. Be confident in what you know and humble about what you don’t.” -Whitney, Augustana College (SD)

“Start out having an open relationship with your supervisor and peers. It makes it so much easier when you find you need help or when you mess up! –Sarah, Emory University

“[…]To trust my instincts- after grad school you are more prepared than you believe. This doesn’t mean don’t ask questions but that professional judgment is often reliable.- Woody, North Carolina State

“I’ve learned to be nice to everyone. Anyone from the janitor to people you pass in the hall to the officers in public safety. You never know how a simple smile can make their day, or how they may be able to assist you in the future. –Loren, Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA)

“I have learned that the AA (or the Serenity) prayer really sums up everything about the most important lesson in a new position.”

3. What are the most pressing challenges you can foresee your department/institution facing over the

course of the coming year?

Budget

Space (ESPECIALLY residence life and education!)

PersonnelWorking through staff changesPreparation of staff

Creation of new programmingResource challenges Institutional resistance

Challenges of the House

GROUND FLOOR ISSUES:-Budget-Resources-Personnel-Self-Care-Networking

UPPER FLOOR ISSUES:-Retention-Social Media Presence-Increasing Enrollment-Student Finances-Graduation Rates

Easing Transition Woes Consistent work/ life balance

“It is important to make you a priority. I had the notion that since this was my first professional position I needed to overcommit […] this is simply not true. I need to make sure that my personal needs are taken care of first in order for me to be an effective professional.” –Rose, Carleton (MN)

Adapting to the student population and campus culture “Learn to observe. I am attempting to absorb as much as I can

in my position and in any experience I participate in while at my new institution […] I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge just from listening to my supervisors speaking with students than I could have if I attempted to dive in and handle certain situations on my own.”-Hiram, Agnes Scott (GA)

Office Culture “The most important lesson I have learned is by far the

understanding of campus politics. You will NOT agree with everything the institution is doing. But […] it is only ethical to follow those policies and hold up the institutional goals. Understand that not everything will be possible due to campus politics and focus your time on what you do have control over.” –Ryan, Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA)

Building a support network and adapting to a new environment “Because student affairs tends to be so inclusive and warm, it is

easy to assume that people will drop everything to welcome us when we step onto a new campus. While this is the experience for some, it will not be for everyone. Before you accept a position, ask really good questions about support from your new campus and surrounding community. What is there to do in town? What kind of support is your supervisor/staff willing to give?” –Mallory, UNC Pembroke

Easing Transition Woes

Questions?Tweet us! We’d love to hear from

you!

Kelley McCarthy

@KMcCarthy8185

Amma Marfo

@ammamarfo