Student Affairs Personal Statement

The Student affairs profession is a field that I found intriguing for many reasons. As I was finishing my undergraduate degree, I often caught myself reflecting back on my college journey while acknowledging the counselors and professors that helped me reach this educational goal of mine. The positive impact and the much-needed guidance that these professionals provided is what ultimately pushed me to believe in academic capabilities because if it was not for them I most likely would not be in the place I am today. Having been the first one in my family to graduate high school and pursue higher education was challenging in itself. I was faced with unforeseen struggles in which I could not turn to my parents for answers. Through this experience,
I knew that working in a field that encourages student success ultimately means that you will often be confronting students who are struggling, be it academically, socially, or psychologically. And for those reasons I came to realize that putting my heart into this career meant that is was not going to easy but meaningful and rewarding, which I believe is something that is immeasurable. In addition, it is a career that I will be challenged to continue developing skills in a variety of areas such as leadership, advising, administration, and supervision. Furthermore, the assigned class readings and class lectures have made more cognizant of what to expect upon embarking on this new journey. One of the readings that I felt resonated with me was in regards to use of technology and social media due to the impact it has on student engagement. As I quote, “Marketing events by word of mouth or flyers is not enough anymore: social
However, one of the topics that have really stuck with me and that I found valuable is political savviness. Through class lecture, I have learned that political savviness can be learned, but it helps to understand one’s organizational environment and it also important to be kind and generous to others. In addition, thinking before speaking is like the core of political savviness, having impulse control is essential because as one of my professors from EPC 690C often says “is this the hill I want to die on” one has to choose their organizational battles wisely in order to avoid severe consequences that can ultimately derail one’s career. Another important component is managing up; developing the skills to communicate with higher-ups without stepping on their toes is crucial in building a good relationship with people at all levels of your organization. Equally important, as a new professional in a new setting it is vital to take on an observer role in the beginning rather than voicing your opinions, “the first six months you should observe.” We need to observe and learn the office culture and view the social interactions between different personnel to become self-aware of how things are done. Networking is also very important in developing political savviness, possessing a strong networking ability allows for professionals to build working