Community College: A Legislatorial DMV Retail Library, by Deanna Knighton, 2014 alumna

Posted on March 11, 2015 by rcleahey

So, what’s it like to work at a community college (CC)? I enjoy talking about work, so I am happy to answer this question. However, I never would have guessed I would answer this question so often when I started working at a CC last fall, and it is the frequency of this question that serves as the inspiration for this blog post. I hope you’ll enjoy these metaphors as I attempt to paint a picture of work at a community college.

It is like working at the DMV. Before you run away in terror at the thought of the DMV, allow me to explain. All visitors to the DMV take a number. Everyone takes a number. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, gender, ability, country of origin, and other identity components do not factor into the number selection. DMV patrons walk in, take a number, and are seen accordingly. And, so it is with community college. All persons are accepted, and everyone is permitted to take classes and receive the services of a community college. There are exceptions, of course, but they are rare, and community colleges truly serve all members of the community.

It is like working in retail or serving at a restaurant. Community colleges provide an education to many students, whether 18-year-old high school seniors or 65-year-old senior citizens. Just as in many service sector jobs, such as retail or restaurant wait staff, the clientele can vary widely, even more so than at other public educational institutions. No two community college students are alike. My students are studying everything from Accounting to Welding, including Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, and Medical Office Administration. Some want to transfer to a university, and some want to get a(nother or better) job with as little education as possible. Some barely know how to turn on a computer, and some are programming and building computers. The students are all so different, which is my favorite part of working at a CC, and this fact cannot be overemphasized.

It is like working for the legislature. In comparison with working at a community college, I never heard so much reference made to the regulations of the state government and legislature at the large public universities for which I worked and certainly not at the private institution where I worked. Of all the types of higher education institutions, community colleges have the strongest ties to law-making bodies of their respective states. And, with the current emphasis on job preparation as the purpose of college by state and local governments around this nation, it is prime time to be working in a community college. This also means that accountability is high as well, so CC student affairs educators may find themselves empathizing with their K-12 counterparts in regard to the record-keeping requirements of a community college.

It is like working at a library. Librarians are knowledgeable in a variety of subject areas. Similarly, community college employees can be expected to help students, who are possibly the college students shortest on time and money, by, as the overused saying goes, “wearing many hats”. As a community college student affairs educator, I’m even required to complete a series of cross-trainings dedicated specifically to this purpose. In this cross-training series, I get to learn about all of the different areas of the college, including Financial Aid and Registration and Records. So, if you’re interested in being more of a student affairs generalist, then come and learn at a community college.

There you have it. If working in a legislatorial DMV retail library-esque environment appeals to you, come join me in the wide world of community college and see for yourself what it’s like to work at a CC. You’ll be glad you did.

Deanna Knighton is a 2014 alumna of the Higher Education Administration master’s program at NC State University. She currently works as a Career Specialist at Wake Technical Community College. You can contact her at deanna.knighton@gmail.com.

Reflections from Recruitment Weekend(s), by Jeremy Elmore

Posted on February 20, 2015 by rcleahey

It was almost exactly three years ago when I drove my rented yellow Fiat 500 over 334 miles to Raleigh, North Carolina. I can remember it as if it were yesterday.

Who am I kidding? I can barely remember what I had to eat for breakfast yesterday (I mean, did I even eat anything?). Regardless of how vivid my memory was of the day when I came to Recruitment Weekend, I can still remember how I felt after the weekend was completed. It did not matter that I did not fully understand what to expect in my academic discussion with faculty or that I didn’t know a single soul before coming to NC State (besides my awesome buddy, Nolan Patouillet). What did matter is that I found a place that I could call home.

And who would have guessed that this would be the first of many Recruitment Weekends that I would enjoy on my journey through graduate school? As I look back at my experiences during Recruitment Weekend, both as a candidate and as an organizer, I believe there are several lessons that I can apply to any life situation (hopefully you can use some of them too).

Just breathe. Sometimes in life, we must simply remember to breathe. What I have found is that in the midst of our busy everyday lives, we tend to forget that breathing is essential to life. Without breath, we cease to exist. In those stressful moments, whether it is in the midst of an intense graduate assistantship interview or at the moment that the task at hand is towering overhead, step back and take a huge breath. It is scientifically proven that breathing exercises help the body remove stress and refresh the mind. The thing I have to constantly tell myself is that I must not take life so seriously, but I must try to pause and truly enjoy the moments that pass in front of me, as they will only come around once.

Communication is always the key. The success rests heavily on the ability for members to effectively communicate with each other. I would contend that truly great organizations have great communication. This does not mean that there are no flaws in their communications or an occasional miscommunication. The times that I felt like communication was at its highest during the planning and execution of Recruitment Weekend were the times that I felt like things were most successful. The times that vision was not thoroughly conveyed throughout the organization or feedback was not directed back towards the top, were the times that the effectiveness of the group was not as high as its overall potential. If you want to have a successful organization, make sure that you practice great communication.

Embrace the unexpected. The phrase that most people have heard is “to expect the unexpected.” However it is not enough just to anticipate problems and issues, but we must be ready to do something with the unexpected. Just like last year’s Snowpocalypse, it is one thing to prepare and make contingency plans, but it is another to endure and persevere in the midst of everything crumbling around you. We should not shy away from conflict and crises, but we must become leaders and challenge those around us to rise to the occasion.

Understand your shortcomings but celebrate your successes. What I have observed in my time, as the VP for Recruitment, is that it is not hard to point out the items that did not go as planned, but rather it is difficult to remember what victories and successes you have accomplished. It is only natural to want everything to go perfect. Therefore, it is our human nature to tally the number of times there was a hiccup in the process. While we should not neglect the areas that are in need of improvement, we must remember to recognize the items that went without a hitch. It is these items that an organization, program, or idea can really use to gather steam and propel people forward.

I am really grateful for my experiences as the VP for Recruitment and feel honored for the opportunity to represent the program I have fallen in love with. My last two years in this position have allowed me to push myself as a leader and have strengthened the friendships with folks I am proud to call my colleagues. It is my hope that you find these small words of wisdom as beneficial as I have.

Jeremy Elmore is a second year student in the higher education administration master’s program. He currently serves as the Graduate Assistant for Student Involvement in University Center Activities & Events at Duke University. He is also the Vice President for Recruitment with the Higher Education Association.

Guide to the Local Job Search, by Staci Thornton, 2012 alumna

Posted on January 21, 2015 by rcleahey

Hello second years!! I wanted to take a second to write about the local job search because I found it to be a lot different than those doing national job searches. I would like to preface with the fact that I’m no expert but these are some things I did that I think can help you out:

I basically started my job search right when I started my final year. A dream job might open up that may work around your school schedule or not start until much later. There was a job opening at UNC in October that I REALLY wanted and I assumed they wanted someone to start soon so I didn’t apply. It turned out those positions were not filled until March so I may have had a chance if I had just applied.
Apply for jobs that may not perfectly fit into what you want to do. Everyone has his or her filters and if yours is you want to stay local, you may have to sacrifice what you really want to do. I applied for jobs all over the field! Don’t choose something you will hate but just don’t be uber picky.
When you start looking at job websites, most of them split jobs into EPA or SPA. Most of us will get EPA jobs but I applied for some SPA jobs and again, they may not have been ideal but the salary wasn’t that different and they were still in the realm of what I wanted to do. Also, I found that private institutions, like Duke, do not always require a Masters Degree for some of their positions but that does not mean you shouldn’t apply. They are able to be a bit more lenient when it comes to hiring so read the job description and see if it’s something you want to do; don’t just read the job qualifications.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “it’s all about who you know,” and that’s SO true, especially in student affairs. Everyone knows each other, it’s random and you can use this to your advantage! I had weekly informational meetings with people from UNC, NC State, and Duke in fields I wanted to work in or with people who knew people I had worked with. Talk to your supervisor about who they know and then shoot them an e-mail just asking to speak to them about their experiences. Then wow them and bring a resume so they want to hire you if they have a position open. 🙂 One caveat to this was that sometimes I got some random advice or people telling me how hard it is to get a job in the area so you need to just brush it off and learn from them but not completely rely on them. The point is to get your name out there.
Reach out to AJ and ask what alumni are in the area and talk with them as well. I currently work with two alumni who knew me and one current student who met me at Recruitment Weekend so they both vouched me after the interview and voila, got the job. 🙂
Go to local conferences. A lot of national organizations have local affiliates with conferences (usually in the fall). It will be more helpful for you to network at those than the national conferences. You can also go to functional area local conferences. I went to NCAIE, the local affiliate of NAFSA, for two years and made some awesome local connections.
Another important thing to realize is that your job search is going to look A LOT different than those with national searches. You may not have as many jobs to apply for so you may not get as many interviews. Don’t get bogged down by that! Also, for people doing a functional job search, their cover letters for different jobs might look pretty similar but it may take you a lot longer to tailor each cover letter to a specific job since you are probably applying for a wider array of types of jobs. So it might seem like you are doing a lot more work but remember that you won’t ever have to get on a plane or sleep in a hotel or wonder if your suit got all wrinkled in the travel because your interviews will be close by. Also, since you are close by, I found the interviews to be a little less intense, maybe a half-day as opposed to a day and half. Or they might have you come in for coffee or something more casual.

Also, one thing that I had a hard time with was people telling me that I needed to expand my job search (not people in my cohort or my professors, just other professionals). This caused me to lose some confidence in my choices but if you really want to stay in the area (which is totally reasonable because the Triangle is rock solid awesome), then do it and trust your choices! I think the local job search can be a bit more time consuming but stick with it and it’ll all work out!

On one of my informational interviews, someone once told me that they wished someone had told them that there is more than one hiring period for student affairs. Just because you don’t have a job in March, doesn’t mean you won’t ever have one! A lot of people hire in July and August so keep truckin’ along!

If y’all have any questions or want to talk about the local job search process more, please let me know! Again, I’m no expert but these things worked for me and I’m glad I had people to tell me these things. 🙂 Enjoy your last year, it goes by fast!!!

Staci Thornton is a 2012 graduate of the Higher Education Administration master’s program. She currently serves as an Academic Coordinator for Professional Masters Programs with the Master of Engineering Management Program at Duke University.

Exploring NC State and The Triangle, by Laura Jennings

Posted on October 22, 2014 by rcleahey

Routine. The first few weeks and months of my semester always seem to revolve around trying to establish my new normal. Figuring out how to squeeze in everything into the limited 168 hours per week can be quite the challenge. At this point in the semester, you may have finally determined your weekly routine. You have figured out your class schedule, assistantship hours, study time, and personal time (maybe?). I challenge you to move past the normal, day-to-day routine and try something new. This is a great time to branch out from your usual schedule and explore the many exciting things that NC State and the Triangle have to offer. Below are some ideas of things to begin exploring around NC State and the Triangle.

NC State

University Recreation. NC State University Recreation offers more than 125 group fitness classes every week. Classes range from yoga to high intensity interval training and everything in between. Check out their website for more information on group fitness as well as other fun opportunities such as intramural sports and outdoor adventures. Students can also rent outdoor equipment such as camping gear, kayaks, and canoes for the day or weekend.
JC Raulston Arboretum. Ranked in the top ten of the “50 Most Stunning University Gardens and Arboretums,” this beautiful garden is located on Beryl across from the College of Veterinary Medicine. Free tours are available every Sunday at 2pm from March-October.
Sporting Events. Students can attend NC State varsity men and women’s sporting events for free with their student ID. Check out gopack.com to view the schedules and learn more about ticketing procedures. In addition to football and basketball games, consider supporting our other teams such as gymnastics, baseball, softball, tennis, soccer, and track and field.
Craft Center Classes. The NC State Crafts Center hosts special classes for students including guitar, pottery, photography, woodwork, jewelry making and sewing. Refer to the website for class schedules as well as information about individual sessions for those who do not want to commit to weekly classes. A small craft and supply fee applies.

Around the Triangle

First Fridays. Explore downtown Raleigh’s cultural hotspots on the first Friday of every month from 6-9pm. Visit art galleries and studios, listen to live music, and take advantage of First Friday specials offered by many local restaurants.
State Capitol Tours. Take advantage of living in the capital of North Carolina and visit the State Capitol building. Self-guided tours are welcome Monday-Friday and free guided tours are available Saturdays at 11am and 2pm.
Museums. Another perk of living in the state capital are the free museums. Visit the NC Museum of Natural History and NC Museum of History located across the street from each other in downtown Raleigh. The NC Museum of Art located off Blue Ridge Road is also a great way to spend an afternoon. While exploring the Museum of Art, be sure to check out the walking trails throughout the Museum Park.
Farmers Market. Check out all the fall produce and homemade goods at the Raleigh Farmers Market located near campus on Centennial Parkway. You may also want to consider a fresh county breakfast or lunch at the State Farmers Market Restaurant.
William B. Umstead State Park. Nestled between I-40, Glenwood Avenue, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Umstead State Park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without needed to travel far outside the city. Activities include canoe and rowboat rentals, camping, hiking and bicycle trails, fishing, and picnic sites. Check the website for the calendar of free events and programs held throughout the year.
Durham Performing Arts Center. Located in downtown Durham, the DPAC hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and other exciting performances throughout the year. Students receive significant discounts on many SunTrust Broadway and Encore Broadway performances. Student tickets start at $20 for many of the Broadway shows and can be purchased online through the ticketing website.
Raleigh Flea Market. Located at the State Fairgrounds, the Raleigh Flea Market showcases more than 600 vendors selling antiques, handmade crafts, homemade goodies, jewelry, and more! Admission and parking are free. The Flea Market is open year-round Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm with the exception of during the State Fair in October.

This is just a snapshot of the many opportunities around NC State and the Triangle. What have you explored in the area? Please comment below with your favorite thing to do or explore around the Raleigh area. We would love to hear from you!

Snowmaggedon: Part II, by Jeremy Elmore

Posted on September 3, 2014 by rcleahey

“Snowmaggedon 2014” is what the news dubbed the snowstorm that rocked the Raleigh area last February. Pictures like the one above filled newspapers across the country. If you may recall, one of the largest snowstorms to ever hit Raleigh, happened to hit right before Recruitment Weekend last year. Recruitment Weekend (RW), a weekend of networking and interviewing for prospective students of NC State’s Higher Education Administration program, could have very easily ended up being remembered as something along the lines of what the picture illustrated, a complete disaster. Instead, the weekend became an apt and wonderful snapshot of what our program is really about (a group of dedicate and passionate colleagues and friends who can accomplish anything they put their minds to).

Looking back at last year’s Recruitment Weekend, I honestly don’t know if I would have changed anything (well maybe a little less snow). As I look ahead to this year’s RW, I am excited about the opportunities that await me in the role of Vice President for Recruitment. As a second year student in the program, I realize the importance of leaving a legacy and the taking our program to the next level of achievement. Recruitment Weekend is just one of the many pieces that fit into the bigger puzzle that makes our program a success. I am honored to be at the helm of Recruitment Weekend and to be able to envision the many possibilities that we have to showcase our unique and exciting program.

With the snow stranding many of our prospective students and making travel to interviews difficult for partner institutions, the pressure was on for the RW executive board to salvage what we could of the many events and activities we had planned, along with the incredibly important assistantship interview process. I cannot recall another time (in my limited professional experience) that I had the opportunity to work with people in a crisis situation where all parties pulled through and went out of their way to make something complicated so simple (it was the stuff that legends are made of). From professors to students, everyone eagerly banded together, willing to brave the brutal weather, to make RW a success. We could not have done this on our own. I cannot tell you the number of times that I heard from candidates how impressed they were with the professionalism of HEA, in the way that they handled Recruitment Weekend through the craziness of the storm. Flexibility became the motto for last year’s VP for Recruitment (Patti Baynes), RW executive board, RW volunteers, and myself, as we all attempted to navigate the uncharted territory of rearranging almost every single detail of RW at the last possible moment. I tell you all of this because I think this has influenced the way that I handle situations as a leader and to give you an example of what our students here in HEA can do when they put their minds to it.

Now you may be thinking, where can I fit in? Well let me tell you about an awesome opportunity that all of our first-year students have. Each year, first-year students have the opportunity to run for the Vice President-Elect for Recruitment position (only one of two positions available for first-year students on the HEA Executive Board). This position is heavily involved in the planning process of Recruitment Weekend and will get the chance to work with me in creating and implementing new initiatives to promote our program to prospective students throughout the rest of the year. If you really think about it, there are only 170 days until we have a new batch of candidates making their way to NC State to take a look at what our university, department, and program have to offer. So, it is never to early to start the planning process.

Elections will be held for the two open first-year positions, including VP-Elect for Recruitment, after our first HEA Meeting on Monday, September 8. If you have questions about this position feel free to email me (jdelmor2@ncsu.edu). Looking forward to working with you all!