Unmasking Your Potential

1. A Mindful Approach to a Career in Student Affairs Unmasking Your Potential Khadish O. Franklin Consultant-in-Residence MACUHO 2011

2. Presentation Overview • Introductions • Mindful Career Model • Retention & Attrition in the Field • Steering Career Paths • Doctorate for Career Success? • Career Planning Model • Questions and dialog

3. Mindful Career Model

4. Retention and Attrition in the Field • Attrition from field: • 39% - 68%, No difference between specialty areas (Ward, 1995) • Higher among women (Burns,1982) • It starts in Graduate School: • Skills building • Setting realistic expectations (Ward, 1995) (Renn & Jessup-Anger) • “Falling into” Student Affairs (Evans, 1988) (Lorden,1998) • Job opportunities • Many entry level positions, not so many mid-level (Evans, 1988) • Autonomy & Role Stress • Autonomy and recognition of “professionalism” of staff key to satisfaction and retention (Ward, 1995) (Winston & Creamer, 1997) (Tull, 2008) • Role Stress – Ambiguity and Conflict (Ward, 1995) (Tull, 2008)

5. Steering Career Paths • Factors that influence path: • Same as in your job search, it is important to know what those are. It’s your path, not the mythical norm’s path. • The “rules” of Higher Education Careers • Don’t Get Pigeon-Holed : Functional Areas • Move On to Move Up : Job Hopping, or Not • Work-Life Balance (or Burnout) • To PhD or not to PhD

6. Steering Career Paths • Don’t Get Pigeon-Holed : Functional Areas • The Role of Graduate Assistantships • First Job Out • How to Transition • Move On to Move Up : Job Hopping, or Not • 3-5 years..really? • Institutional Considerations • Reputation Management

7. Steering Career Paths • Work-Life Balance (or Burnout) • Is Balance Achievable • Role Modeling • Managing Up • To Ph.D. or not to Ph.D. • How to decide • Choosing an institution

8. Doctorates For Career Success • A doctorate may assist with advancement and credibility in student affairs • A professional may be effective and acquire promotions and lateral mobility from within without acquiring a doctorate • Most career advancements for mid-management and upper management require the doctoral credential • Prospective doctoral students without prior experience may not be able to obtain an administrative position in higher education with the doctoral alone

9. Doctorate Statistics According to NASPA Data • Common among senior student affairs officers in all types of institutions • Held by 52.4% of senior student affairs officers in a college survey • Most common at public universities and that exception increases with the institution’s size

10. Doctorate Statistics According to NASPA Data • The doctorate appears less essential for departmental head positions • The masters was the highest earned for 64.1% of the 1,148 directors and doctorates were weld by only 22.5% of positions such as directors of student life, student services, and student development

11. Purpose of Our PathsLarge Group Discussion Why We Choose to Enter the Field/Get Master’s Frame of Mind Leaving the Master's Program Focus during the 1– 3 Years Direction during the 3 – 5 Years Shaping the Future

12. Skill Development • Self reflection is the most important aspect of career success. No one knows you like you! • If you can identify your weaknesses & bad habits you can set a plan to address them. • You can use professional feedback as an opportunity to modify behaviors and develop new habits.

13. Skill Development • Use your time strategically • Utilize your membership in professional associations • Stay abreast of current research and trends • Research other colleges and universities and functional areas to determine what types of institutions/roles would fit you best

14. Skill Development • As you identify the functional areas that interest you begin to talk to professionals in that area. • Ask those in the areas for: • Suggested readings • How they strengthen their skills? • To identify growing experiences they have had • What they wish they had known?

15. Skill Development • Most professional roles allow for committee work in other functional areas • Use those to gain experience and exposure in other areas. • Be creative in selecting those experiences if possible. That can include selecting and area outside of a division (ex. Fundraising; Athletics; Financial Aid; etc.) • Diverse experiences can strengthen your resume and separate you from other candidates.

16. Career Progression • Ask those at the next level: • What skills they utilize most? • What they wish someone had told them to prepare for the position? • How do they remain motivated? • What skill set they need to develop to advance beyond that position? • What a fair salary should be?

17. Small Group Sharing • Name • Current Role • Where do you consider yourself? Early career, mid career, etc.? • Strategies you have thought to employ or have employed in navigating career progression? • How has all of this played itself out in your work with students, staff, colleagues, supervisors, etc.

18. Large Group Sharing • Questions, comments • Tips, strategies from small group sharing • Where should the field go next?

19. Question & Answer

20. Thank You!!!