Celebrate Careers in Student Affairs Month this October

Careers in Student Affairs Month Program Format and Publicity Suggestions Ask student affairs colleagues to nominate students who they believe would contribute to the future of the profession. Invite them, and any other interested students, to an event (i.e., a reception, panel discussion, brown bag lunch event, etc.). Provide buttons for all student affairs colleagues to wear during Careers in Student Affairs Month to encourage questions about the profession (i.e., an “Ask Me About My Job” button). Offer opportunities for students to do job shadowing with student affairs professionals. Write an article in the student newspaper about student affairs as a profession and the career tracks of outstanding professionals on your campus. Hang a banner on campus announcing that it is Careers in Student Affairs Month and have an office designated that students can drop by to pick up packets of information. Have the president of the university/college declare Careers in Student Affairs Month. Develop a recognition program for students working in student affairs offices. Set up an information booth in a high-traffic area, with information about the Oshkosh, NACA, ACPA, and NASPA job placement opportunities. Conduct ongoing meetings with students who want to go into student affairs and provide professional development workshops (i.e., career options, resume building, managing job placement exchanges, researching graduate programs, etc.). Encourage faculty who teach in related higher education masters programs to do outreach to undergraduate students who may have an interest in student affairs. Create informational bulletin boards or flyers in high student traffic areas. September 2010  Dear Student Affairs Colleague,   For the month of October, we have a unique opportunity to invest in the future of our profession by celebrating Careers in Student Affairs Month (CSAM). Organized originally to last just a week, this celebration of our profession of student affairs has been extended to a month to bring full attention to one of the most meaningful professions available. As you know, a career in student affairs is an unknown option to students as they enter college. It is not until they experience exciting learning opportunities organized by student affairs staff and get to know the diverse and gifted persons who comprise our profession that they consider whether the field might have promise for them personally. But this consideration cannot be left to happen by accident. Each of us has the responsibility to seek out the most promising leaders at our campuses to talk with them about investigating student affairs as a potentially viable and rewarding career for them. Each year at commencement, my university honors the two outstanding graduating seniors, selected by a committee of faculty, staff, and students. I am so proud that for each of the last three years, one of the two outstanding undergraduate students has announced his or her plans to enter a masters’ program in student affairs. CSAM has been organized to encourage just these kinds of outstanding student leaders to begin thinking about working in student affairs. Attached to this letter are some ideas on the types of programs and the topics that have been organized at other colleges and universities. These suggestions require some energy, but little to no budget. They are an investment of time that will prove valuable to the vitality of our profession. Many more ideas can be found on the new CSAM website at www.naspa.org/career/csam/10. These pages serve as a resource for both students and administrators to increase awareness and appreciation for the field of student affairs. Information on the website includes what student affairs is, how CSAM 2010 is being celebrated, an insider's look into the profession, and resources specific for administrators. I hope that you will find time to host some of these activities during the month of October and promote Careers in Student Affairs Month. If each student affairs professional could commit to one organized activity, and could commit to encouraging one outstanding student leader to attend, our collective actions could have a major impact. Please let the NASPA office know if you are planning an event by emailing staff member Nathan Victoria at nvictoria@naspa.org. Also, remember that NUFP applications are due September 30, and NASPA does have an undergraduate membership if you know students who are already committed to a career in student affairs. More information about these opportunities can be found at www.naspa.org/programs/nufp and www.naspa.org/membership/undergrad.cfm respectively. I wish you well in your CSAM activities. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.   Sincerely, Elizabeth Griego NASPA President