Activities
- · Advised students at Orientation
- · Shadowed academic advisers
- · Welcomed and advised students at the University Academic Advising Center
Experience
One of the highlights of the week was advising students at
the last Orientation. This Orientation was different from the others because we
did not have a definite number of students. We also did not know the students’
classification. We were told to expect a mix of transfers and freshmen. I found
out in June that it is helpful to be familiar with many degree programs when advising
transfer students, so I was a little hesitant going into this Orientation. The young man that I worked with turned out to
be a transfer student, but I was able to help him! He had a good idea of what
he wanted to major in, and I was able to help him get into classes. I was not very
familiar with the major ahead of time, but I knew enough to help him. I took
him as far as I could, and then one of the advisers came to help him. It turned
out that what I helped to put on his schedule was as far as he could go. This
was very encouraging. Sometimes it’s hard to see the progress I am making.
Helping students is not like mowing a yard. You cannot physically see where you
have been and where you need to go. However, this helped me to know that the
work I have been doing when I look at the requirements for degree programs and
asking questions is paying off.
In regards to different career paths as a student affairs
professional, I have learned to be thankful for my experience as an elementary
teacher. I see other professionals observing how students act, and sometimes they
do not understand why students do the things they do. For the most part, students
are leaving the K-12 public school system. There is a culture of education in
the Mississippi K-12 school system, and I understand it. There is another
adviser in the UAAC, and she understands it too. You can tell by the way she
interacts with students. My previous work experience has been validated in
working with this adviser.
Chelsey, I too am thankful for my educator background. It has helped me in so many situations working with students to keep in mind to stay student focused. I enjoyed chapter 11 and the section that is dedicated to staying learner centered. Too many times we forget that we work with students and we are to serve them. I challenge you as I do myself to think about how I will stay student focused when my job role changes and I no longer am working directly with students.
ReplyDeleteLindsay Pinkston
Chelsey, That is really great that you were able to help out your transfer student at orientation. It is always rewarding when you can connect and positively influence a students experience. I also love hearing your perspective as a former K-12 educator, as I was an education major at one point in my undergraduate work. My question for you is, what other transferable skills do you see setting you apart from the traditional student affairs graduate student specifically for orientation and admissions? Thank you for sharing your insight on your experience, I really enjoy reading about it!
ReplyDeleteRaychel Payne
Chelsey,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your blog posts because you seem to be loving your practicum so much! My question to you is: What other benefits and challenges do you see from working with a mixed group of students like this? What skills, if any, do you think you took away from this specific experience?
-Amber