🎉 Celebrating Careers in Student Affairs Month!🎉
Closing out October as we honor and celebrate all of those in the student affairs profession! Looking back on over 20 years in this field, I am so grateful for the privilege of working with talented, passionate colleagues and students who care about shaping the future.
Like many colleagues, someone in the field encouraged me as an undergraduate to apply to graduate programs and pursue a career in student affairs. At the time, I was pursuing my bachelor's degree in gerontology and doing research on bilingualism and the rate of cognitive decline. As someone whose first language is Spanish, I was beyond excited about this research and its implications. My first love is science, but underneath my real love is inquiry and problem-solving. Two skills that have come in very handy during my SA career. It often got me in some hot water as a student (and yes, ok, as a professional, but that’s another post). Despite my love of science, I opted to switch to a career in student affairs and have not regretted it.
The past few years in higher education have been challenging—but when isn’t it? We've all faced our fair share of obstacles, and it's important to acknowledge these challenges and decide on a path.
I chose to stay in student affairs because I relish the opportunity to guide students through pivotal moments and collaborate with exceptional professionals who share the same dedication; every day in student affairs is a new opportunity to inspire, support, and grow. The resilience, compassion, and commitment I witness daily remind me of how impactful this work is. Specifically, as a formerly undocumented and first-gen Latina, I see it as a calling to be in higher education and represent not just as a demographic but allow my lived experiences to seep into the work I do and plant roots of systemic change.
To all my fellow student affairs professionals, thank you for your hard work and heart. Here’s to continuing to uplift, challenge, and empower the students we serve. 💫
Happy #CareersInStudentAffairsMonth! Let’s keep making a difference, one student at a time. 🌟
#StudentAffairs #HigherEducation #CareersInStudentAffairs #Grateful
Director of Collections, James House Museum. Owner, Sweet Shoe Historical Services. Visitor Experience Specialist and Front of House Manager
1moI suspect only open to Americans though, yes?