October: National Careers in Student Affairs Month

Are you involved on campus? Are you in more than one student organization? Do you love campus life and dread the day when you step out into the real world? What if stepping out into the “real world” and getting a job meant staying on a college campus and getting paid?

One of the best kept secrets regarding careers would have to be a career in Student Affairs. You may be wondering: what is Student Affairs? Student Affairs consists of careers on a college campus, filled with individuals who are passionate about students, diversity, teaching, learning, and making a difference in the lives of others.

Does that sound like something you would like to do? The departments within Student Affairs comprise of Residential Life, Commuter Services, Admissions, New Student Orientation, Financial Aid, Leadership Development, Greek Affairs and many more!

October marks the month of National Careers in Student Affairs and acknowledges those within the field, as well as those who are interested in this type of work. Some of the qualities a person within Student Affairs needs to have are:
Creativity
Motivation
Leadership
The ability to work well in groups and individually

Student Affair workers usually also require further training, such as a Master or Doctorate degree, as well as practice within advising, counseling, human development, administration and management.

Over the summer I had the opportunity to interview professionals within Student Affairs here at Maryville, as well as surrounding universities. The interesting common factor I found with everyone I interviewed was that when they started their college career, not one had the intention or the knowledge about a career in Student Affairs. Take a look at why some chose a career path in Student Affairs

“In college I got involved with my campus’ programming board and I was highly involved in Greek Life and I realized that I liked getting paid doing what I loved.” -Zach Lewis, Director of Student Development, Maryville University

“I was really involved in my undergrad on campus and enjoyed every aspect of college life. I thought it would be cool to have a career in this.” -Chris Gill, Director of Student Development, Fontbonne University

“It felt like a natural fit. While doing work in my undergrad I realized that I wanted to work in a university setting. I like the age group and think that it’s a pivotal time in a student’s life.” -Jennifer Henry, Director of Personal Counseling, Maryville University

“I didn’t start college with this career in mind. I was on the path of becoming a clinical psychologist. However, I developed a passion for working with students and I was overly involved within my undergrad. By the end of my junior year I discovered that you could go to grad school for higher ed, so I did.” -Alvin Sturdivant, Director of Residential Life, Saint Louis University

“I was an Resident Assistant in college and I really enjoyed it.” -Kim Watson, Director of Residential Life.

Do any of those quotes relate to you? Come check out your possible future in Student Affairs October 27, 2010 in Buder Commons at 4:30PM. A panelist of a few of Maryville’s Student Affair personnel will share why they chose the career, what they do and provide tips what you can do to have a career in Student Affair as well.