Changing the World? Maybe.

"Look, I can appreciate this. I was young too, I felt just like you. Hated authority, hated all my bosses, thought they were full of shit. Look, it's like they say, if you're not a rebel by the age of 20, you got no heart, but if you haven't turned establishment by 30, you've got no brains. Because there are no story-book romances, no fairy-tale endings. So before you run out and change the world, ask yourself, 'What do you really want?'"
-Buddy, Swimming with Sharks (1994)

I first heard the above quote in a song, "Gun in Your Hand" by Lagwagon while in college. It's funny that that kind of insight existed in something I listened to on repeat for years. But that's the beautiful part about being young - I already knew everything.

My first "philosophical installment" regarding a midlevel search will in fact start with a philospohical approach to motivation: what's the goal in moving into a midlevel position and why the hell do you want to do it?

If you were to ask me this question ten years ago I'm confident the conversation would have gone something like this:

Really Smart Professional: So, why are you interested in moving to Residence Life professionally and what would you like to do?
ME: So I can impact change and student development as a leader!
Really Smart Professional: Well, what do you mean?
ME: So I can impact change and student development as a leader!
Really Smart Professional: You sound excited! That's great! What exactly do you want to change?
ME: Student development!
Really Smart Professional: ...so....good talk....
ME: Theory!
Really Smart Professional: .....yeah...so...thanks for chatting...
ME: Theory and practice! 

I'm going to go ahead and just assume that was only funny to me, but ultimately, it illustrates an interesting point. While not applicable to all my guess is that it takes time to hone our motivations and philosophy in moving up and advancing in residence life, and ultimately, student affairs. Having a passion isn't enough. Logical and an honest self-awareness need to temper passion. Oh, and experience. 

After graduate school and my first two positions I finally started to consider moving into the mid-level role. This isn't to say that I was unsure - I'm not, and I wasn't. I didn't know at that point that I was unsure because I didn't really understand the search or the position. There were a few simple facts I didn't fully understand - these facts change things. 

Here's the stuff that would have been great to think about in moving up:

1. Each mid-level position is different. Seriously different. Mid-level positions are not called mid-level because they have much in common professionally, it's because, quite simply, they're the middle of some other levels. All of those levels may look different, feel different or seem different. 

2. Very few mid-level experiences are the same professional to professional. You can get all of the advice in the world from every mentor, friend or professional. It won't flesh out to a succinct set of rules, practices or experiences. 

3. All of the stuff you talked about regarding personal beliefs, mission and professional self-awareness in graduate school REALLY matters now. You're sticking around longer and playing a bigger role. It's no longer about A job it's about THE job. 

4. The search itself will be completely different than an entry level search. The stark reality is you're simply not going to feel as cool as you used to. This brings me to my next point. See below.

The process and experience of moving into graduate school and/or an entry level position can be exciting and overwhelming. We spend hours, days and weeks preparing entry level candidates for their first search. While this is an awesome feat of mentorship we need to do a better job of reminding entry level/graduate candidates that after the entry level search the honeymoon is over. Searches are different. Interest from institutions looks different. No more mailboxes bursting with free trinkets. No more colorful folders. No more courtship. You are recruited based on the positive relationships you have built and your abilities. Personality no longer sells you. Achievements sell you. Ability sells you. Desire, passion and self-awareness sells you. Beyond that, what you sell, and what the institution buys, has to be real. If you don't think you can sell exactly who you are, exactly what you want and if you're not totally sure what you're selling is true...wait. 

An Introduction to "Student Affairs Undercover."

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce you to Student Affairs Undercover!

I wrote that with the intention of sounding like the introduction to a cover letter. Our field can be funny.  We all too often take ourselves too seriously and forget to laugh. It is my intention to laugh. It will be, often times, at our expense. Without the ability to laugh we will likely implode, or more perhaps even more seriously, we'll forget why we do what we do. 

It is also my intention to leave a philosophical paper trail of sorts. As I navigate our field I find myself wanting to share ideas, converse, but most importantly, let others know they're not alone. 

My first set of entires will outline my process in a midlevel search. It's true, a substantial amount of informal and formal discourse exists about the move up; the trouble with that is the simple fact that each of us is different. Each position is different. Each institution is different. Each professional is different. Ultimately, we are all different. 

I do not intend for this to be self loathing. I do not intend to create a following. I do not intend to make statements. I simply intend to reflect with the obvious advantage of connecting with others. 

-SAU