Careers in Real Life

If you ask a student affairs professional how they ended up working in higher education, you’ll hear a lot of different stories, but most include something like, “I never thought about student services as something I could actually get PAID to do”. University administration is not a career most people decide upon purposefully or early on in life. Have you ever heard an 8-year old claim they want to be a residence hall director or an academic advisor when they grow up? Yeah, me neither.

My path to becoming a campus career advisor was equally winding. Now that I work in student affairs, however, I can’t imagine working in another field. The pros of working in higher ed? Glad you asked…

1. Lots of college campuses are exciting, energetic, dynamic places. There is never a shortage of things going on, issues to debate or thought leaders with interesting new research to share. It usually creates a great culture in which to work.

2. There is a shared mission among staff to contribute to the greater good and to help others. Unlike for-profit employers, our goal is not to make the company money (we’ll leave that for our friends working in the university development office). I work with extremely dedicated, friendly, altruistic and creative colleagues.

3. Though universities are not immune from economic downturns, relatively speaking, it’s a pretty stable industry. Especially since people tend to go back to school during tough economic times (even if some shouldn’t).

4. I am continually impressed by the students with whom I work. They are changing the world through social responsibility initiatives, running their own businesses, and conducting mind-boggling research. In contrast, when I was a college sophomore, I could often be found on my couch, watching Golden Girls re-runs with my roommates, eating EZ Cheez. Working with the students I see everyday gives me tremendous hope. (Though, I would argue Golden Girls helped shaped my personal growth and development in monumental ways, but that’s another post.)

5. College kids usually define what is “cool”, or are the first to find out about the next big thing. So, by association, I am instantly cooler.

Student affairs can include career and academic advising, student organizations and leadership programming, diversity and multicultural affairs, residence life, financial aid, international and study abroad programs, admissions, athletics and recreational sports and academic support services. With such a wide range of specialties, student affairs allows for a lot of different personalities and talents to find success.

Working in higher ed is not without its flaws. We are subject to office politics that can get in the way of helping students, our whole reason for being there in the first place. Few of us are getting rich, budget cuts are tough and opportunities for advancement are limited.

But, college was one of the best times of my life. As a first-generation college student, I felt privileged to even be there. Now that they let me in, I’m staying for good.