Category: Job Searching

As we begin to enter the hiring season for Student Affairs/Higher Education Administration, I found myself reflecting on my searches in the past, both for graduate assistantships and for full time positions. Reflecting on these searches leaves me wondering how one’s background, social class, and financial stability can influence their success in the job search…

Many times throughout my search, I heard some variation of the following phrases: “It’s all about finding the right fit.” “You’ll find the job that is right for you.” At first, these felt like wonderful ideas! Here I was, a new graduate entering a field that is very structured in providing outlets for one to…

A selective list of perfect positions at perfect institutions that perfectly match your interests, desires, and goals. A carefully crafted resume that describes in detail the work you have done to promote student development and engagement. A fine-tuned cover letter that shows how the institution’s needs, the position description, and your expertise are in perfect…

“If you were a musical instrument, which one would you be and why?” “What superhero do you most identify with?” “If you could eat any meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?” “If you had $100 and a day off, what would you do with it?” We have all heard these…

Some of the most difficult questions I faced in my search were questions on my preferences. What did I want from an institution? How did I want to receive support from supervisors? What ideal office environment was I looking for? Why was I interested in a specific position, institution, city, regional area? What would my…

I did not set out in this to provide solutions to the problems I faced. Rather, I wanted to share my experiences with anyone out there who could benefit from hearing them. One of my biggest supporters in my most recent search was a member of my cohort that was going through a similar situation…