Career Advice Please

[DiSTinguished]

Hello Sorors and Visitors,
I have been experiencing some difficulty deciding what I want to do for the rest of my life!!!!......I am considering a career in higher education administration, particularly student affairs/student activities.....if anyone is in this field please let me know because I could really use some advice. While I haven't been keeping up with greekchat lately, I think I remember someone on the forum was in this field. I guess this is what is meant by "networking"...ha ha (pun intended)..

[DirectorDST99]

I think Soror the411 can help you.

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Director #2
LMAC
Spr 99

[the411]

Career choosing is the story of my life!!!

I started off in film production, but I realized during my junior year that I wasn't passionate about it. Fact is, whatever you choose to do, you should have a PASSION for it!

When I decided that cinema wasn't what I wanted, I then had the unlucky task of figuring out what I did like. At that time, I was a dorm director in one of the residence halls (our school let undergrads do that), and supervised a staff of 5 RAs. I was also a tour guide and intern in the Admissions office, a student advisor for new students during orientation, a peer advisor, and a Rape-Survivor Advocate. All my extra-curricular activities involved helping students; and not only did I absolutely LOVE IT, but I was good at it! So, Student Affairs was clearly the perfect career for me.

When I graduated, I decided to work professionally for a few years just to figure out where in student affairs I want to be. As you know, there are many areas of expertise necessary to make a college/university work like a well-oiled machine and keep students happy. Ultimately, I want to be a Director of Minority/Multicultural Affairs at a predominately white institution. I'm now employed as a Student Orientation Coordinator at Ohio State, and in a couple of years I plan to pursue a Master's in Higher Education from either OSU, Columbia, or Univ. of Maryland. The truth is, you MUST have a Master's degree for any credibility in student affairs. I was blessed to land this job without one, but my salary reflects its absence. However, the good thing about working first is that, by the time I get my M.A. or Ed.M., I'll be making much more than graduates who went straight to grad school from undergrad, because I'll have much more professional experience under my belt. You should consider that when deciding what direction to take.

I think Admissions or New-Student Orientation are the BEST places to start because in those positions, you HAVE to know just about everything about the college you work for, so they serve as good foundational pieces (and they are most often entry-level). Since the required knowledge is so broad for those careers, you can best decide which area you enjoy most, then go from there. Also, when you go to grad school, it is crucial that you have an assistantship-- preferably the same one for the entire time you're studying. This looks good to potential employers. You may also consider doing some research and getting something published in a journal. Colleges love having staff members who write and are published. One of my responsibilities is to write the publications for our department. I hated it at first, but now I'm seeing how helpful it is. Administrators, Faculty, students, and parents all see my work, so I'm making a name for myself. It would also be to your advantage to find a mentor, i.e. someone in the field who is where you want to be. Administrators in Higher Ed are excellent resources for networking. I would not have landed this job without a Master's degree were it not for "Da Bomb" recommendations I received from some renouned, KEY administrators from my alma mater!

You should read a journal entitled "Blacks in Higher Education." It has great articles in it, and it has job postings for which blacks are targeted. Also, "The Chronicle of Higher Education" is an EXCELLENT resource, especially if you're looking for a job. It only costs about $40 to subscribe for a year, and it's well worth it. You should vistit its website at:
http://www.chronicle.com/

If you're considering grad school right now, visit this site for the latest education program rankings:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/bced.htm

If you have specific questions, feel free to write me. I'd be glad to help in any way I can, especially if you have grad school questions, resume concerns, or need tips for interviewing. Student Affairs is an excellent career choice, especially for those of us who've committed ourselves to helping others. I hope things go well for you!

the411

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

[RENEEDST_22]

SOROR,

I HAVE JUST CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE VIA BLACKPLANET WHICH LIST JOBS: IT IS DIVERSITYDIRECT.COM! HOPE THAT CAN HELP YOU OUT!

RENE'E

[DirectorDST99]

<SIGH>

Soror the411, sometimes you amaze me how you just hit it right on the head with the things you write on this forum. So much, if not all, of your post is so true.

Hey you all, I almost threw in the towel. I will have 9 more hours left towards my master's after this semester. I'm working on my thesis proposal now. After changing my topic a zillion times, trying to narrow and/or adjust my topic, and having my advisor write "VU" (Very Unexceptable) on the top of my paper, I was discouraged to the point of tears. Grad school is NO joke, but as the411 said, for a career in higher ed, it's necessary and darn near mandatory.

My post college experience involved communications, public relations, media relations, writing, teaching, management, and speaking with some student involvement. My constant prayer is "Lord, just continue to guide me in the direction that will be pleasing to you." He's got something in store for me.

But anyway, back to my problem, my thesis. I know that there is a problem with students, mainly freshmen, not getting the information or accurate information they need to help with them during their first year of college so that they may return to complete their degree. I just have to prove this and prove that there is a problem in communication during the freshmen orientation process. But this was not how I put it on paper...I was all over the place with the issue and my advisor wrote "VU" real big. But this just got me motivated even more.

I'm not a counselor, I'm a communicologist. While I am indeed interested in student affairs, I'm more interested in the communication process of student affairs and if what needs to be communicated to students is indeed being done. I've got my work cut out for me. Pray for me because I thought I would get out in May 2001, but it's looking more like August 2001.

To be honest with you, there needs to be more career counselors instead of career placement counselors..there is a difference.

Good luck to all of you who have decisions to make...that's what makes you stronger.


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Director #2
LMAC
Spr 99

[12dn94dst]

Just when you though you were "alone" in life, along comes a Soror in a similar situation. May I vent? I don't care if you say no, I'm gonna vent anyway

I don't know what I want to do with my life, at all. I'm sitting on a 3 year old degree in business management and no solid "real world" expreience to back it up...at least that's what interviewers tell me when they pass me over for positions I know I can do. I mean, why does one need 2 years experience for an ENTRY LEVEL position?? I've since decided I'm going to try my hand in the IT field. After all, I designed my web page, I'm either on a computer or fixing my or someone else's computer issues, and darn it I love computers. What's the problem, you ask? For one, I can't find a school that's going to teach me what I need to know in a hands on environment in a reasonable amount of time. I don't want another bachelor's degree and the master's programs I've looked into either require a CS degree or significant work experience. I'm not interested in paying a couple thousand dollars to be taught how to pass a certification exam. I want to be taught what I need to be successful in the real world. I would teach myself, but I've found if you don't have the job experience to back it up, you may as well not know anything. Y'all, I'm tired and frustrated and I don't know what to do next.

**SIGH**

OK, I feel a little better now. All comments/encouragements/"girl-quit-whining- there-are-millions-of-people-worse-off-than-you's" are welcomed an appreciated! I'm going to bed now. Love Y'all!!

Kelli

Sorors I am feeling you. When I started college, my major was Kinesiology because I loved playing sports. I decided to get a teacher's certificate and teach business. But after a couple of years, I realized that there is a difference between playing the sport and coaching/teaching the sport. I coached a couple of summer league softball teams and discovered that bad attitude had increased and playing ability had decreased since I played.
So I decided to go with business, but I had all of these kinesiology classes under my belt. So I double majored (sp?)in Business Administration and Kinesiology. I didn't minor in accounting or finance (stupid me). So I think that might have hurt my chances for getting some jobs. So now I'm in Grad. school working on my MBA. But I still ask myself is this what I want to do?
When I go to various job sites and enter Master's education, most jobs that come up require 5 years or more experience in a field, I've never heard of or don't have experience in .

Soror Kelli- I'm venting too. My question is also why do some jobs require so much experience for an entry level job, when the company is going to train you the way they want you to work anyway? I know that some of the things learned in my undergrad classes are not used at my current job and it requires a business degree.

[Discogoddess]

If I may butt in, sisters, I would say apply for those jobs that require more experience than you have ANYWAY! When I finally read the online posting for the job I now have, I laughed at the years of experience they wanted. My husband taught me to always go for a job that I want, regardless of the number of years they're asking for-impress them with your resume and cover letter and you're in the door. Impress them at the interview(s) and they'll be banging down your door to take the job!

God speed, sisters!

[DirectorDST99]

WHEW, I see we are all having "a moment".

But to answer the question of why do you need experience for an entry level position...well I'm not going to really answer the question but tell you how to gain the experience. INTERNSHIPS!

When I graduated in '94, I was a Director of Communication for a non-profit organization. I graduated in May and began working in June. Needless to say, you all, I have 3 internships under my belt. For those who are still in school and/or just getting started, don't wait until your junior year to intern. I had an internship every summer from 1991 until 1993 and in 1994 I started at $30,000. INTERNSHIPS, that is the key to the experience these employers are looking for in employees.

the411, we will chat soon I'm sure because the problem I'm speaking off may not effect those who attend predominately white universities and if not then that's another topic or possible dissertation topic for the Ph D.

I like this dialog you all!

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Director #2
LMAC
Spr 99

[the411]

Director,

I agree that the communication gap between staff and students is HUGE, but I don't know if freshmen orientation is where the problems starts (or where it magnifies). Of course, I'm playing Devil's Advocate because my profession is new-student orientation!

I think it all depends on the type of orientation your institution has. At Ohio State, our orientation program is a division of Academic Affairs as opposed to Student Affairs. We focus primarily on giving students the tools they need to achieve ACADEMIC success, not social success. This past summer, however, we worked more closely with Student Affairs and the Wellness & Safety department to give students a more well-rounded orientation experience, focusing on academics, student involvement, res life issues, etc. Our student and parent evaluation reports proved that we were very successful at giving students the right information. But, we know that, in terms of communication, it all starts with Enrollment Services. This is when it gets tricky because the tendency of admissions is to "sugarcoat" things until AFTER the student has been admitted and has paid fees.

In an effort to change that, just this year, OSU has started a "Freshman Focus" program in which Admissions, Orientation, advisors, and the 1st-year survey course instructors work together to form one continuous, smoothly-connected system of dissiminating pertinent information to first-year students. With this program, we are all taking full responsibility for what happens with Freshmen from the time they're accepted, on through their entire first year, as opposed to helping them station by station. In other words, advisors can no longer point the finger at orientation if a student doesn't take a required placement test; instructors can't blame advisors for placing students into the wrong course; orientation can't blame admissions when a student doesn't receive a new-student packet; admissions can't blame faculty for retention problems. We each have to work together and communicate effectively with one another FIRST and FOREMOST before there can be any guarantee that we are communicating effectively with the students. In other words, it all starts with the administrative staff, and it trickles down to the students.

One of the best methods of research, as I know you already know, is to compare and contrast benchmark institutions. In other words look at what's happening at schools that share the same population, demographics, and characteristics. You may find that the communication breakdown occurs by school type. When I was at Howard (some 8,000 undergrads at the time), students were NEVER "in the know" about what was going on. Some things were even down-right "hush hush." But at my alma mater (2,000 students in rural Ohio), we ALWAYS knew what was going on. The info and resources were always out there. If a freshman did not succeed or get involved, it wasn't because they weren't well-informed. Howard is a large school in a large U.S. city, where only about 33% of the students reside on campus; my school is much smaller, in the boondox, where on-campus living is mandatory. You can see why effective communication is more evident at one and not the other.

Your topic is very interesting! If you'll recall, I am a communication major myself, so I am really looking forward to your research findings. Good luck, Soror!!!

the411

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

[DiSTinguished]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your responses....I have been really stressed over my future and while I do wish you all luck in figuring your paths out, I must say it's nice to know that there are others with the same problem....anyway, Soror the411 I especially appreciated your advice...I am trying to get a position at UMiami (FL) for the spring and even though the lady said I needed a Master's I am still gonna go for it and send my resume/cover letter......so congratulations on getting your position, i know how rare that is......I will be sure to keep you informed as to my progress......as was said by Soror DirectorDST99 your responses on this chat are really amazing....
well anyway, I will try to check back on this topic next week to see if there are any more developments, but for now, thank you to everyone who responded

[mccoyred]

Soror, I agree totally about taking advantage of internships. During college, I worked during the summers but not in my field. Needless to say, when I graduated, I had NO EXPERIENCE. I finally began working my field 10 YEARS after graduation. BUT over that 10-year period, I gained other business skills that complement my degree so when I finally began working in my field, my starting salary was WAAAYYY LARGE.

Originally posted by DirectorDST99:
WHEW, I see we are all having "a moment".

But to answer the question of why do you need experience for an entry level position...well I'm not going to really answer the question but tell you how to gain the experience. INTERNSHIPS!

When I graduated in '94, I was a Director of Communication for a non-profit organization. I graduated in May and began working in June. Needless to say, you all, I have 3 internships under my belt. For those who are still in school and/or just getting started, don't wait until your junior year to intern. I had an internship every summer from 1991 until 1993 and in 1994 I started at $30,000. INTERNSHIPS, that is the key to the experience these employers are looking for in employees.

the411, we will chat soon I'm sure because the problem I'm speaking off may not effect those who attend predominately white universities and if not then that's another topic or possible dissertation topic for the Ph D.

I like this dialog you all!

------------------
mccoyred

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

[12dn94dst]

I have a feeling someone may need to read this or offer advice on this topic.

[strobelitehoney]

Originally posted by 12dn94dst
Just when you though you were "alone" in life, along comes a Soror in a similar situation. May I vent? I don't care if you say no, I'm gonna vent anyway

I don't know what I want to do with my life, at all. I'm sitting on a 3 year old degree in business management and no solid "real world" expreience to back it up...at least that's what interviewers tell me when they pass me over for positions I know I can do. I mean, why does one need 2 years experience for an ENTRY LEVEL position?? I've since decided I'm going to try my hand in the IT field. After all, I designed my web page, I'm either on a computer or fixing my or someone else's computer issues, and darn it I love computers. What's the problem, you ask? For one, I can't find a school that's going to teach me what I need to know in a hands on environment in a reasonable amount of time. I don't want another bachelor's degree and the master's programs I've looked into either require a CS degree or significant work experience. I'm not interested in paying a couple thousand dollars to be taught how to pass a certification exam. I want to be taught what I need to be successful in the real world. I would teach myself, but I've found if you don't have the job experience to back it up, you may as well not know anything. Y'all, I'm tired and frustrated and I don't know what to do next.

**SIGH**

OK, I feel a little better now. All comments/encouragements/"girl-quit-whining- there-are-millions-of-people-worse-off-than-you's" are welcomed an appreciated! I'm going to bed now. Love Y'all!!

Kelli

I agree with you kelli about the IT field. I was in slump, and was thinking about what to do about my career. Currently I am in school but I work full-time. I have been back and forth with my majors and the things I am passionate about. I am not passionate about computers, But dag nab it, I can create a good web page. I thougt about Web design, but like you I do NOT have the thousands of dollars to attend an IT school, just to be able to pass the exams. and even studying for the exam on your own my help, it still cost, fingers and toes to pay for the exams. My Aunt has always told me, YOU can't get anywhere without taking risks. But I'm always hesitant, because I know that in the next few months I'll be wanting to do something else.

But the best advice I can give is, See what you're good at
See what you're passionate about, and try to combine the two.
That works pretty often. And that's for anyone who are having the Career blues.

[CrucialCrimson]

Originally posted by DiSTinguished
I am considering a career in higher education administration, particularly student affairs/student activities)..

I'm not in that field, but Harvard has a graduate program that is aggressively seeking minorities that are interested in higher ed. administration careers. Someone e-mailed me a link a couple of weeks ago but I lost it - you may be able to search Harvard's web site for info