Getting Involved in Greek Life

[texas*princess]

You could always AI.

*ducks for cover*

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

You could always AI.

*ducks for cover*

I do not beleive that has to do with the part of the post?

In the other days, there were such things as Greek Advisors.

Now, it seems to have to have a degree or an attempt to do this.

Having a Greek back ground will be of help.

Intro pay could be low?

[REE1993]

I imagine that belonging to a GLO is less of a prerequisite than experience in education. Depending on the school's interpretation and the responsibilities, being Greek may certainly provide some advantages.

I think that every school has a different expectation of what a Greek Life advisor should be/do. In addition to working in Student Affairs, there may be job openings for house advisors, etc. Being Greek would enhance your familiarity with the basics of Greek life, but in my college experience working in Student Government, sorority chapter officer, etc., most of the work is pretty much administrative as opposed to counseling.

[FuzzieAlum]

I think I'm confused. Being a chapter advisor (which sounds to me like what you mean) is an unpaid, part-time, volunteer position. Chapters often have, in addition to alumni advisors, a faculty member who serves as a faculty advisor. (As the names suggest, though, you probably need to be either an alumni or a faculty member.)

If you want to work full-time with students, you should probably check out www.naspa.org and www.myacpa.org. It's not a field you just walk into without any previous experience. Those who start in it straight out of school usually had extensive RA or similar experience; generally you need at least a masters degree in education. Private sector experience is likely not transferrable.

And hey, October is Careers in Student Affairs Month. (Really!)

[tld221]

Originally Posted by FuzzieAlum

I think I'm confused. Being a chapter advisor (which sounds to me like what you mean) is an unpaid, part-time, volunteer position. Chapters often have, in addition to alumni advisors, a faculty member who serves as a faculty advisor. (As the names suggest, though, you probably need to be either an alumni or a faculty member.)

If you want to work full-time with students, you should probably check out www.naspa.org and www.myacpa.org. It's not a field you just walk into without any previous experience. Those who start in it straight out of school usually had extensive RA or similar experience; generally you need at least a masters degree in education. Private sector experience is likely not transferrable.

And hey, October is Careers in Student Affairs Month. (Really!)

i agree on the "private sector experience not being transferrable" thing. one of our RDs was a big exec at a marketing firm and for whatever reasons wanted to be an RD for a freshman hall (maybe it was the inclusive apartment and meal plan? hmm...). he did a great job as an RD but everyone HATED him--from his RAs, to the residents and some of his fellow RDs and Student Affairs colleagues. surprise, surprise, he did not return the following year.

now i know thats just one case, but i feel like the business of working in student affairs is about who likes who, who gets along. a big business of playing nice. i guess my point is this guy figured if he could run the show in the corporate arena, then a residence hall was no biggie. WRONG!

and, to be on topic, i dont know if someone being outside the greek world would be the best greek system advisor (though i know it has been done) id imagine its complex enough even if you were in greek life. also, a chapter advisor is a lot of work, from what the 2 advisors my chapter has told me. also realize that you need to be a member to do that.

my big question is after leaving the private sector, you say you want to pursue academia, but off the top of my head i would think being a professor or a dean... but greek advisor? sounds like you just wanna hang out with the greeks...

[33girl]

You could probably serve on a collegiate chapter's advisory board in some capacity - for example, one of the AB positions in my sorority is for a chapter financial advisor. This requires more knowing how to read a balance sheet than actual sorority experience. You may want to start there.

Depending on the school, the chapters may be required to have a faculty or administration member as an advisor - either primary or secondary. A lot also depends on where you're located - if you're at a big school with very popular Greek life, it's probable that there are active alum chapters nearby and the ABs are filled. However, if you're going to be in BFE where there isn't a big Greek presence, the chapters would probably be thrilled to have someone who's actually positive where Greeks are concerned.

As far as being a school-employed Greek advisor, you would not be suitable for that position.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

You could always AI.

*ducks for cover*

Oh god I wanted to say something like this SO BAD.