Free Topic Post

The fourth assignment for our blog posts in ENT 3976 is a free topic post. Since I'm currently consumed in applying for graduate assistantships & have to learn how to write a personal statement- I'm going to answer some questions that were suggested I answer before attempting to write my personal statement. My personal statement has to address the reasons I am interested in the student affairs profession and graduate study as well as the skills I will bring to a graduate assistantship and the CSAL program at GVSU.

• What personal characteristics do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?

        The characteristics that I posses that would improve my prospects for success in the Student Affairs profession are integrity, tenacity, creativity, and passion. I believe that these four characteristics are key in successful professionals in Student Affairs.
        It is important for Student Affairs professionals to have integrity because it increases the trust the one is able to build with the people around them. Whenever one is working with a team of people (professional or student) it is important to build relationships and trust. Integrity assists in building relationships because people can trust and depend on you and feel more comfortable leaving you responsible for a task. Since the Student Affairs realm caters to such a large body of people, it is important that employers have trust in an employee's capabilities. 
        The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines tenacity as, persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired. Because of this definition I believe that tenacity may be the single most important trait that a Student Affairs professional should posses. When working in Student Affairs, professionals must represent the student body and work to improve current conditions for the students that they represent. If a professional is not tenacious, it is possible that goals and visions may be lost and that they will not truly fulfill responsibilities. Tenacity is key in the Student Affairs profession because an entire student body depends on the work that is done in the field. If a student affairs professional gives up on a program, project, or group that they are working on the impact has the potential to be hugely negative.
          In the spirit of serving students and improving their community as much as one can, most Student Affairs professionals develop educational programming that will theoretically create a wave of change within a certain behavior in their student body. Having creativity is absolutely necessary when developing programming that will engage and inspire the students that it is targeted toward. Developing new, innovative ideas is difficult to do in a setting where your audience may be grossly over-programmed as it is, but using creativity is the key to overcoming this obstacle.
          Last, but by no means least important, is passion. In most settings, Student Affairs professionals work long hours at mediocre pay. Without passion, a professional is sure to parish. It is no secret that 18-21 year olds are not always the most ideal audience but if a person's passion shines through they will surely have an opportunity to create change in their audience.

• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?

         The skills that I possess that would be an asset to this field are expansive. I have strong leadership, problem solving, adaptability. I also have experience with planning and executing large scale events such as awards banquets, Greek new member orientation, and Panhellenic Formal Recruitment events. I have knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order and general functioning of student organizations on a college campus. I have experience working with a budget and managing committees.

• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?

         I believe I will be effective and successful in the field of Student Affairs because of the experience I have gained throughout my undergraduate career. Through my attendance at programs such as the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, LeaderShape Institute, and Alpha Gamma Delta's Leadership Conference I have learned many tools that would be a great asset to me and my employers. Additionally, I have been active in many types of organizations and employment and have a diverse knowledge of the Student Affairs field. These things, along with my passion and drive in the field, will make me a successful professional.

• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?

       Throughout my collegiate experience, I have been employed by two departments on my campus. Both departments are under the Student Affairs umbrella and both have taught me a lot. I was employed in the Center for Pre-College Outreach at Michigan Tech and worked daily on a team of six students who were required to work together to accomplish tasks. I learned the importance of clear communication, responsibility, adaptability, and self motivation throughout my employment. Presently, I work in the Student Activities department and no longer work on a team. In my current position I have learned the importance of self discipline, tenacity, and patience. Because I am in charge of my own projects I have to be able to work on a timeline and accomplish tasks in a timely manner. I handle all of my own correspondence and interactions with university administration so I have learned proper procedure and etiquette. 

• When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?

       My interest in this field began about a year ago when I took office as the Vice President of Recruitment for Michigan Tech's Panhellenic Council. I met weekly with our campus's Associate Director of Student Activities for Greek Life and Leadership. Throughout my meetings with her and my experiences in Greek Life and other organizations, I was inspired to look into the Student Affairs field. In the last year I have attend numerous leadership development programs and have been furthered inspired to pursue a degree in the field.
       In the last year I have learned about the general responsibilities and functioning of many different types of Student Affairs professionals. I have learned about their long and irregular hours. I have learned about the frustrations of tightening budgets and expanding demands. Most importantly I have learned and experienced the passion that these professionals all posses to make a change in the lives of others. It's this passion and love that has reinforced my belief that I am well suited for this field. The long hours and challenging conditions do not deter me because of the expansive experience that I have had as a leader within student organizations on my campus, but the passion drives me forward toward graduate studies.

Identifying My Passion

In the past year I have gone from not having a real sense of direction to identifying my passion and chasing after it with everything that I have. Throughout the last year I have attended Alpha Gamma Delta's Leadership Conference, the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, and have got a new job as Michigan Tech's Student Assistant to Greek Life. I have also had the pleasure of working beside some truly amazing individuals who have truly inspired me. So, what is my passion? Student Affairs- more specifically, Greek Life.
In fall 2012 I hope to be taking the next step in pursuing my passion- I hope to be enrolled in the College Student Affairs Leadership graduate program at Grand Valley State University to pursue my masters and later go into the Student Affairs field.
I have always felt strongly about helping others and improving the lives of others- which is why I decided to get a degree in Psychology. Student Affairs work will give me the opportunity to enrich the lives of entire student bodies, that's what excites me most and drives the passion that I have.

About Me: Personal Bios

Long Bio:
      Karmen is a Michigan Tech Psychology student who is graduating in April 2012. She is currently applying to the College Student Affairs Leadership graduate program at Grand Valley State University and hopes to become a higher education professional. Karmen enjoys her sorority- Alpha Gamma Delta, her job as Michigan Tech's Student Assistant to Greek Life, spending time outdoors, and watching chick flicks.

Short (Twitter Bio): Michigan Tech Psychology Student, Aspiring Higher Ed Professional. Dedicated Alpha Gam. "If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough" - Unknown

My First Impressions of LinkedIn

Since our first assignment in #ENT3976 was to establish and complete profiles on various social media, I wasn't at all worried. I already had active accounts on all except one- LinkedIn. During our first class period I started my account and dove in. My first impressions were as follows:

 1.) Profile: I really like that the profile essentially builds a resume for you based on the information it asks you to input and that you can customize the information to be as in-depth as you desire. However, the layout of the profiles seems a little cluttered and overwhelming.
2.)"Improving" Your Profile: I like that LinkedIn prompts you to continue to add information, however I dislike that at a certain point you have to pay for the service. 
3.) Adding Connections: Like many other websites, LinkedIn only offers the option of using email contacts to find people you may know. I wish that it had the option to use Facebook or Twitter- for all I know, it actually might.

Since I created my profile, I have connected with 20 people. Many of those people have found me & sent me requests. I can see already that LinkedIn could be a valuable tool in job searches and making connections within companies that I might be applying to. Overall, I was surprised to find that I kind of like LinkedIn.