Author Archives

Gary Alan
Original post
#sachat — View Comments
22
Feb 10

I am a career counselor because…

My colleague Laura Lane and I gave a presentation at the North Carolina Counseling Association 2010 conference last week, and I wanted to share with you some of the details of our presentation, as well as the output.

The theme of the conference was Advocating for Your Clients, Yourself and the Profession.  So, building off of the “advocating for the profession” idea, I came up with the idea to have a session in which participants undertake a brainstorming session about why they serve as career counselors.  Then, after categorizing the brainstorming session, each member would write a script and record a video of themselves attesting as to their motivations and passions as a counselor.  Each script would begin with the phrase “I am a career counselor because…”

In addition to providing a space to be reflective on their careers, along the way the participants would also learn how to use the 12seconds.tv platform.

Although our attendance was somewhat low (which I chalk up to the fact that our session was the final session on the final day of the conference, and there was an hour break prior to the start of our session — recipe for early departure!), we had a really spirited conversation and developed a really neat video library, which you can see on this 12seconds page.

It is my hope that others will contribute on an ongoing basis. So, if any career counselors out there read this post and are interested in adding your own 12 second video, please send me a note or leave a comment here and I’ll speak with you about how you can be added to the site.

Gary Alan
Original post
#sachat — View Comments
11
Feb 10

The power of failure

Although I am not a new professional, I am the newest member of the staff of my current office (about 14 months on the job). I blurted out a statement in a meeting the other day that was truly off the cuff.  But, it has since been swirling in my mind.

A portion of our staff were interacting with our Student Ambassadors, and we were giving them our bios and info about what we do in the office. I went through my normal intro of education and professional background. I outlined my primary responsibility of internships. I noted a secondary item of social media utilization. Then, out of nowhere, my mouth says, “as the new guy, I also take it upon myself to be entirely willing to fail. So, I’m the one doing these new events that go down in a blaze of glory.”

I’m not sure why I chose to say that. Partially it was a self-deprecating moment, as I am wont to do. Partially it was meant as a lighthearted moment. But, there was a kernel of truth in there.

Although I don’t mean to imply I’m never disappointed when things don’t work out, I do find it exhilarating to try new things. And with that must come the occasional failure.

Case in point, last fall my office held a “Career Week” of events. Having interacted with the RoadTrip Nation folks via Twitter, I thought inviting them to campus for a screening would be a great end to that week.  I convinced my colleagues. We rolled out the red carpet, did a bunch of marketing and booked a 300 seat auditorium in the Union.

One student showed up.

That’s right, one.

Now I was entirely embarrassed that it occurred, and I found myself compelled to repeatedly apologize to the RTN folks, who (to their credit) didn’t seem phased at all. But, in truth, I’m still very glad we tried it.  Although it didn’t even come close to being a “success,” I am still driven to try new things and experiment and give my best shot to things that aren’t guaranteed to succeed.

I’m fortunate to have a supervisor and director who were also happy with the experimentation and not disappointed with the response (or if they were, they hid it very well), and that’s part of how I know I’m in the right place. I’m glad I work with people who encourage new attempts and activities.

Will we repeat the same event in the same way? Of course not. But, we attempted, we failed, we learned, we grew. And isn’t that what education is really all about?  It’s been attributed to many over the years.  But, it deserved repeat here:  If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.

Gary Alan
Original post
#sachat — View Comments
13
Jan 10

The Student Affairs Collaborative Blog

This is a test post of the new portal from my blog over to the SA Bloggers site.

Hi Tom – did it work? :)

Gary Alan
Original post
Uncategorized — View Comments
4
Dec 09

Of Work and Life

Last night I participated in the #SAchat on Twitter (hosted by The Student Affairs Bloggers), and it spurred an old conversation that I’ve had with myself and others about the role of work in my life.  I used to say that work is “something I do, not who I am.”  The chat was focused on work/life balance, and I posed that idea to others in the chat.    Perhaps it’s not unusual that a group of dedicated professionals participating in an after-hours chat are inclined to be heavily invested in their careers.  So, I wasn’t caught off-guard that many others felt that this quote wasn’t representative of how they felt — many posited that their work is who they are, or at least a very big part of who they are.

I’ve been pondering today whether or not that makes me less-dedicated as a professional or if it’s more of a semantics argument. I have worked in higher ed since 1993.  In fact, I’ve never held a position outside of higher ed.  It’s been my career for as long as I’ve had one.  When I’m at work, I work hard. I think others would use words like “dedicated” when describing me. I’m a contributor.  I generate new ideas.  I’m totally dedicated to the students I work with.  I love higher education and student affairs.

But, I still don’t feel like my vocation is equivalent to my “being.”

To be fair, I am one who sometimes feels like he’s had a 40-year-long existentialist crisis.

Sometimes I’m impatient.  I used to think I had wanderlust (until I realized I’m a homebody…).  I have a need for new projects and challenges.  I used to frequently feel a non-specific sense of being unsatisfied. But, I didn’t understand why.  Now I know it was because I didn’t quite understand myself.   It was a great relief when I came to understand that one of my personal drivers is change.  I crave it.  Maybe that’s why I’ve been reluctant to define myself by my career – I keep expecting it will change.

I’ve done exactly what I tell my students to do – I’ve focused on my strengths and looked for organizations that provide a positive environment to apply those strengths.  One of my skills is working effectively with students, and I’m thrilled to have dedicated 15+ years of my life to that work.  However, I still can’t comfortably say that’s “who I am.”  Without a doubt, it’s part of who I am. But, it feels limiting to give vocation that much power and “real estate” in life.  No doubt you can tell by this muddled post that I’m struggling with getting my thoughts around this.  So, I’d love your thoughts.

Cross posted on The Student Affairs Collaborative Blog

Gary Alan
Original post
Work/Life Balance — View Comments
4
Dec 09

Of Work and Life

Last night I participated in the #SAchat on Twitter,
and it spurred an old conversation that I've had with myself and others
about the role of work in my life.  I used to say that work is "something I do, not who I am." 
The chat was focused on work/life balance, and I posed that idea to
others in the chat.    Perhaps it's not unusual that a group of
dedicated professionals participating in an after-hours chat are
inclined to be heavily invested in their careers.  So, I wasn't caught
off-guard that many others felt that this quote wasn't representative
of how they felt — many posited that their work is who they are, or at least a very big part of who they are.

I've
been pondering today whether or not that makes me less-dedicated as a
professional or if it's more of a semantics argument. I have worked in
higher ed since 1993.  In fact, I've never held a position outside of
higher ed.  It's been my career for as long as I've had one.  When I'm
at work, I work hard. I think others would use words like "dedicated"
when describing me. I'm a contributor.  I generate new ideas.  I'm
totally dedicated to the students I work with. I love higher education
and student affairs. 

But, I still don't feel like my vocation is equivalent to my "being."  

To be fair, I am one who sometimes feels like he's had a 40-year-long existentialist crisis.  

Sometimes I'm impatient.  I used to think I had wanderlust
(until I realized I'm a homebody…).  I have a need for new projects
and challenges.  I used to frequently feel a non-specific sense of
being unsatisfied. But, I didn't understand why.  Now I know it was
because I didn't quite understand myself.   It was a great relief when
I came to understand that one of my personal drivers is change.  I crave it.  Maybe that's why I've been reluctant to define myself by my career – I keep expecting it will change.

I've done exactly what I tell my students to do – I've focused
on my strengths and looked for organizations that provide a positive
environment to apply those strengths.  One of my skills is working
effectively with students, and I'm thrilled to have dedicated 15+ years
of my life to that work.  However, I still can't comfortably say that's
"who I am."  Without a doubt, it's part of who I am. But, it feels
limiting to give vocation that much power and "real estate" in life. 
No doubt you can tell by this muddled post that I'm struggling with
wrapping my thoughts around this.  So, I'd love to hear your feelings.

Cross posted on my blog.

Gary Alan
Original post
Work/Life Balance — View Comments
2
Nov 09

Balancing demands: work vs. new baby

On October 27, 2009 at exactly 4:36pm, I became a father for the first time.  The past week has been exhilarating, exciting, exhausting and elating.  But, now I’m back at work with a full slate of student appointments and meetings.  I’d love to hear advice from other student affairs pros about their first weeks after the arrival of a new baby and how you’ve balanced the demands of work and home.  All comments welcome.

Here’s a shot of the proud papa (me!) and our new little guy.

IMG_1508

Gary Alan Miller

Gary Alan
Original post
SA Humor — View Comments
12
Oct 09

The curse of “Community” and other television ephemera

It was not without irony that a few weeks ago I attended a day-long conference on transfer student success here at UNC and on the same day that, via Tivo, I watched the premier of the new NBC series Community.  It was quite the contrast:  In the conference we discussed issues like imposter syndrome and the perception of quality in our community colleges.  Watching the pilot of Community I was bombarded by stereotypes — students who don't care, faculty who can be bribed, deans who are young and incompetent, and so forth.

That's not to say I didn't laugh.  Actually that's not to say I even took it out of our Tivo (or more appropriately, had my wife take it out of Tivo).  But, I did feel a twang of guilt for watching.

That twang of guilt was similar in size to the twang of anger I get from watching How I Met Your Mother (which I love) in which one of the main characters has to "settle" for a career as a Cornell professor rather than pursue his real passion for designing buildings.  Yeah, because that feels rights — can't cut it as a designer, but faculty member is easily attainable.  But, I digress.

My wife tells me I shouldn't try to hold television to a high standard regarding their statements on academic institutions… or any standard about anything, really.  But, I can't help myself.  I do get upset, at first for them for writing such things and secondarily at myself for enjoying it. 

Should I feel guilty enjoying a program that reinforces a host of stereotypes related to my profession?  Maybe, or maybe not.  But, I can't stop watching. Has this happened to you before?

Gary Alan Miller

Gary Alan
Original post
Assessment / Work/Life Balance — View Comments
13
Sep 09

Introversion in student affairs

I had a conversation recently with our graduate intern about life as an introvert career counselor.  He's just starting his life as an introvert in the world of student affairs, and our conversation lead me to reflection of the earlier years of my professional life.

I told him to be aware and be intentional in his consideration of how his introversion is or is not an issue as he learns to navigate his professional life.  When I first transitioned from registrar-type work into my first counseling role it took me a while to understand my introversion in that generally-extroverted context.  In fact I think for about the two years I did a horrible job of balancing my needs as an introvert and the demands of the work.

As an academic counselor in a setting with ludicrously high advising ratios (try 5500 students to 4.5 counselors!), there was no down time, no time to re-energize, no time to contemplate or rejuvenate.  There was only go, go, go.  Next student, next student – typically 10 per day, in half-hour increments.  My evenings became more solitary.  My outlook, considerably more grumpy.

It took me years to understand why I was (and am) more productive in the morning than in the afternoon; why many of my ideas wouldn't be pursued because they didn't feel fully formulated until after the brainstorming session had ended; and why I preferred not to go out to lunch with my colleagues each day.

Now, not every student affairs position will demand this hyper level of interaction and outward-facing energy.  But, they all will have varying degrees of the same, and I believe that even for lower traffic student affairs offices there is a relatively steep on-ramp for the new introverted professional.

New professionals need to understand that these things are okay, while simultaneously learning that being in student affairs sometimes means putting on your "extrovert mask," even when it doesn't feel natural (it became entirely comfortable for me over time, I'm happy to report).  Here are a few other tips for the introverted new student affairs professional:

  • Don't feel guilty about needing time to yourself.  If that means foregoing lunch with colleagues or occasionally skipping out on that office social, do it.  But of course, you must strike a balance to make sure that you don't accidentally develop a curmudgeon label.
  • If you know the subject of a particular meeting, make notes and write down some of your thoughts ahead of time. It may help you to feel like you can participate more actively, having thought through the issues ahead of time.
  • Find the ways that are most accommodating for you to "become" an extrovert when it is needed.  Some skills like public speaking or working a room may not be natural, but you need to make them become comfortable. So, practice, practice, practice (then sit quietly for a while!)

As a profession, and indeed as a culture, we tend to prefer extroverts.   Extroverts often make more-immediate impressions and many qualities associated with extroversion are thought of as positive in the workplace.  But, our students are represented across the introversion/extroversion spectrum, as should be our student affairs professionals who will work with them.

Fellow introverts, I'd love to hear your thoughts and perspectives.

Gary Alan Miller

Cross posted on my blog

Gary Alan
Original post
SA Humor — View Comments
27
Aug 09

Metaphors and phrases for new academic year

Good day and welcome to fall semester!  I have often compared the beginning of the academic year to those moving sidewalks that you experience in large airports — You're just walking along at your normal pace, and you hit the sidewalk and BOOM you're moving twice as fast. 

So, I thought it might be a fun exercise to hear what other metaphors or phrases you use to describe your experience of going from the relative quiet of summer to the explosion of activity with the academic year. Comment away!

Gary Alan
Original post
Event Ideas / Social Networks / Technology and Programming / Web/Tech — View Comments
14
Aug 09

Planning A Campus “Tweetup”

"What's a tweetup?"  These were the first words out of our associate director's mouth when I told him I wanted to plan a UNC campus tweetup to coincide with a personal branding/new media workshop I'm delivering in September.  A tweetup is an in-person meeting of twitter users, typically organized by geographic region.

This summer I've had the pleasure of connecting with a fairly diverse range of Twitter users from our campus — from students to faculty to staff to the dean of the Kenan Flagler Business School.  So, I had the idea to get these folks together in one room to talk about their Twitter experiences and meet each other face-to-face (okay, I probably won't be able to get the dean to come…).  Coupling the event with a presentation that includes how-to information about a few new media tools — including Twitter — just seemed to make good sense.

Then I had the idea to go beyond pitching the event only to those currently using Twitter.  I reached out to the Daily Tar Heel, our student-run newspaper, and asked if they would like to sign on as informal co-sponsors of the event and incorporate an educational slant by encouraging students to come and informally learn about Twitter and how it can be used professionally.  We won't be doing any presentations, just casual conversation about how the tool can be used.

We've slated the event for September 28, and we'll just have to hold out to see how well it goes.  I have no doubt that the dozen or so active campus program users of Twitter will come, and I also have no doubt that some number of the more-dedicated student user will come.  But, the big question is:  will the event attract the "simply curious" or the "been meaning to learn" crowd?

Have you done a campus tweetup at your institution?  If so, how did it go and what ideas or thoughts would you share with others contemplating hosting one?

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