ACPA 2014

Job One: Experiences of New Professionals in Student Affairs

ACPA 2014

Job One: Exploring Work Experiences of New Professionals Through the Lens of SupervisorsKathleen 1PresentersJill Carnaghi, Associate Vice Chancellor, Washington University in St. LouisKathleen Gardner, Associate Director for Residence Life, Southern Illinois University EdwardsvillePeter Magolda, Professor, Miami University Carrie Miller, Doctoral Student, University of California, Los AngelesKatie Shoemaker, First Year Adviser, Miami University

#ACPA14Kathleen2Agenda IntroductionsImpetus for this SessionWhat?New professionals theoretical primer Stories from new professionalsResponses from supervisors/supporters of new professionals So What?Small group discussionsLarge group synthesisNow What?Implications for practiceClosing

#ACPA14Kathleen 3

#ACPA14Kathleen Creating a Brave Space

Rather than aspiring to create a space where everyone feels safe, lets aspire to create an environment where each of us is supported in being brave. To be brave means being vulnerable, being authentic, and speaking our truth even when we arent sure it is our truth or even when it might reveal our own oppressive socialization AND being open to others bravely sharing their experiences of us and holding us accountable so that we all may learn and grow. 4

IntroductionsNameInstitutionExperience supervising new professionalsWhat brings you here today?#ACPA14Katie Invite everyone in audience to introduce themeselves5What?The "what" is the experienceWhat do we know as a result of examining the situation? Peter6#ACPA14

PeterTalk about the book here7ShamikaSometimes its hard to stay true to myself because Im pressured by those around me to change or fit in, but by standing my ground in the midst of the pressure has benefitted me greatly. When I am free to truly be who I am in a work environment, I know I have found a fit#ACPA14

CarriePlay the audioContext: not being distracted by the clutter of job search and other thingsProvide context through the lens of new professional 8Molly P.It quickly became evident that department staff members were overworked, and the director had many responsibilities on her plate beyond our department initiatives. We worked additional hours because we cared about supporting one another and most importantly supporting students..Although I had freedom, I was lacking an effective supervisor who was able to give guidance and feedback on the work I was doing. I valued our friendship and relationship but knew I would need more to be a better professional in the future. #ACPA14

CarriePlay the audioContext: importance of supervision and ongoing feedback Provide context through the lens of new professional

9KimThe support of my coworkers and my willingness to accept their support was key in making this transition. Not many are fortunate enough to have such caring colleagues on their side when starting a new life. #ACPA14

Carrie Play the audioContext: colleague support Provide context through the lens of new professional

10SarahAs a Student Affairs professional who works with people involved in career decision-making processes, I have come to understand we all hold various ideas or myths around career that we inherit from our family members, friends, mentors, and colleagues; our professional fields and industries; our cultural identities and groups; and our society. I intentionally use the word myth for the messages we hold around careers because, they can be so strong that they blind us to see other possibilities, or they force us to exclude other possibilities. #ACPA14CarrieContext: different paths into the professional, institutional fit, finding our own wayPlay audioProvide context through the lens of new professional

11CarrieI did not know how to approach my supervisor to continue to develop as a professional and hone my skills. Reflecting on my interactions with my supervisor, I realized that I, too often, repeated the same experiment and hoped for different results. I would ask a series of questions, read about an idea, write and submit a proposal, each time being careful to include all of the components of program and proposal development I had learned in graduate school. Rarely did this strategy yield a successful outcome...I did not want to abandon opportunities to integrate theory and research with my everyday work responsibilities, but I knew had to change my approach.#ACPA14

CarrieThis is the slide where Carrie will share her storyProvide context through the lens of new professional

12Supervisors of NPs in the Room: Tell Us YOUR Story as a NPWhat memories from your first job search help you better understand the issues new professionals face?What expectations did you have as you entered your first job? Which of these expectations were non-negotiable and which were negotiable? How did you communicate these expectations during your job search?How did someone help you as a new professional learn from both positive and negative experiences? How did you reveal or avoid revealing aspects of your identity during the search process?#ACPA14This is where we will ask for audience participation- lets get 3-5 volunteers at the front of the room to reflect on their story as a new professional using the questions as a guide.

KatieThis is where we will ask for audience participation- ask for 5 volunteers to come up to the front of the room and comment on 2-3 items above

13Questions for Supervisors/Supporters of NPsWhat has been your experience as a supervisor/supporter of NPs?What are the characteristics and responsibilities of an ideal mentor?How do you assess if a new professional is a good fit for the institutional culture and climate?In what ways can you help new professionals implement change in a positive and effective way?What messages do you send new professionals about professional involvement?How can you help new professionals negotiate the need for community in a new place?

#JobOne14KatieFacilitate large group conversation around these questions 14Salient Issue #1The Importance of RelationshipsMy relationship with my partner Josh made me feel centered and comfortable with myself. The relationships that I forged during graduate school and during my on-campus interview process gave me the support needed to succeed in a not so ideal work environment -Molly

#ACPA14Kathleen These are some of the salient issues that came through in the book

15Salient Issue #2The Importance of FitI admit there is risk in every decision we make, but I was unwilling to risk my authenticity and integrity. I was being called to a little, Buddhist-inspired institution that was doing great and wonderful things. I had discovered my mission fit. I could no longer deny that my professional and spiritual curiosity as well as my intuition and passions were the true compasses I must follow, so I stepped into the unknown, accepted my new role as the Career Services Coordinator at Naropa University, and headed west. -Sarah

#ACPA14Peter16Salient Issue #3The Importance of Competence and ConfidenceI espoused the idea of tending to the needs of the whole student, yet I continued to treat aspects of my life as discrete and mutually exclusive entities. How do I de-compartmentalize my life? How can I understand students if I cant understand myself? This [job one] experience, combined with my college and graduate school experiences, have made me a more holistic person, one who feels comfortable with the various dimensions of his identity, sharing those areas, and encouraging that development in others. David#ACPA14Carrie17Salient Issue #4Generational DifferencesA key part of my success in my first professional Student Affairs job was having a great supervisor and supporting team of co-workers. My supervisor recognized I was new to the field but valued my past experiences and perspectives. He regularly treated me as if I knew what I was doing; he allowed me the time and space to learn the position, the job responsibilities, and the culture of the institution. We processed my strengths and strategized on ways I could improve my areas of opportunity. The foundation of our relationship was on honesty. It was always important to receive growth-focused feedback, even if it was a message I did not want to hear. -DeJaun

#ACPA14Katie 18Salient Issue #5Accepting and Learning from Imperfections Despite the frustration of being so focused on administration and office management, there were many things I came to love about my workmostly relationships with colleagues and supervisees. I was quickly getting to know other academic advisors on campus and developing a sense of collaboration. I was amongst a group of dedicated professionals who cared deeply about students. I valued being in a professional community that shared in my commitment to student growth and learning. -Molly#ACPA14Jill 19Questions for Supporters/Supervisors of NPsWhat are distinctive characteristics of this generation of new professionals that distinguishes them from past generations?What methods do you employ to help new professionals share their story, ideas, and lessons learned? How do you communicate the culture and climate of your university to prospective candidates?

#ACPA14Jill20So What?The "so what" is the reflectionWhat do we think or feel as a result of examining the situation? Jill21Small Group ConversationBreak into 4 groups based on interest1: Transition issues facing new professionals2: Issues of fit facing new professionals3: Identity issues facing new professionals4: Supervision issues facing new professionalsExploreAssumptions/expectations/normsStrategies for new professionalsStrategies for preparation programsStrategies for supervisors

#ACPA14JillGive each group a handoutWe need to provide them with clear direction here on what we want them to create

22Report out

#ACPA14Kaite23Now What?The "now what" leads us back to actionThis is where we commit to some kind of action, however small or large.

Kathleen24

ClosingPlease write downThree take-aways from our time together todayTwo questions you have after this presentation One thing you are committed to doing as a result of what you learned/experienced here today #JobOne14KathleenAsk participants to write down the answers to these questions on index cards (assessment)25

We are looking for volunteers to take a stand and publicly share one thing you are committed to doing as a result of what you learned/experienced here today.

Kathleen Take a stand share what you WILL do, share a partner you will engage to help make this happen.26Thank you!Jill [email protected]

Kathleen [email protected] Peter [email protected]

Carrie [email protected]

Katie [email protected] #ACPA14Peter and Jill27QuoteKim RutledgeACPA3.24.1416483.174

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ACPA 2014