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Two weeks ago, the Student Affairs Collaborative #SAchat talked about advice and best practices for those graduate students searching for jobs this spring.  With all the great advice that was given, I wanted to help these folks in another way, by featuring some of them in a blog post!  Below are those who have put themselves out there and I recommend you take a look if you are hiring this year!  I asked them to send me their name, picture, any links about them, and to answer the question, “You need to hire me because…” Here’s what I received:

Constanza (Connie) Cabello

You need to hire me because… I am ready for new challenges and excited to continue my career in Student Affairs! My interest in Student Affairs began when I was an undergrad at UConn. I worked in the Involvement Office as a Student Organizations Peer Advisor and enjoyed the experience of coaching my fellow students. I will graduate from Central Connecticut State University in May with my Masters in Counseling: Student Development in Higher Education.  I am a currently a Graduate Intern and have gained valuable experience in both Student Activities and Student Center Operations. I am passionate about student success and find this work rewarding. I feel fortunate to have a career that allows me to be creative and learn something new every day. I enjoy working in a fast paced environment and with a diverse group of people. I am open to new experiences and am willing to move almost anywhere if the job is right for me, and if I am right for the job! Fun facts: I love eating, shopping, traveling, and all Boston area sports!

Meghan Harr

You need to hire me because… I’m responsible, knowledgeable, and dedicated to student activities and residence life.  In my current work, I manage all facets of advising the university programming board (known here as the Student Activities Council) including budgeting, contracts, event management, officer transition and training, and more.  Additionally, I serve as an area coordinator for a hall of 150 residents, primarily first year students, and supervise the hall staff, advise on hall programming, and serve as an administrative hearing office for conduct incidents in my building.

Michael Baumhardt

You need to hire me because…I am a motivated individual with progressive experience in many functional areas of higher education and student affairs including campus activities, orientation and first year programs, fraternity and sorority life, and leadership development.  I believe my passion for interacting with students, combined with my commitment to the integration of co-curricular involvement will enable me to make a valuable contribution to the growth and success of your institution.  I feel that my experiences in higher education and student affairs have provided me with valuable insight and abilities that I am ready and prepared to demonstrate at your institution.

Julia Duhan

You need to hire me because… I am committed to helping students. Through a compassionate and empathetic approach, I will encourage students to do more and to be more. I hope to help them make the connection between who they want to be and what the want to be. New to the student affairs game, I am hungry for experience.

Emily Clare Sharples

You need to hire me because…I’ve grown up around higher education. Some of my earliest memories are of going to my local community college with my father, and wanting to learn about the processes of education. I am passionate about learning, aiding students in their endeavors to learn, working with students of all calibers/diverse backgrounds/socio-economic statuses, and making my experience in higher education as incredible as I’ve always felt it could be. I am ready and willing to take on challenges unforeseen, and especially the unforeseeable, and cannot wait to start my career in higher education.

Stephen “Gavin” Weiser

You need to hire me because… I am the person you want in your organization. Whether it is my background in facilitation, or social justice and diversity programs I am a key component to any setting. I have a extremely varied background and utilize this internalized diversity in order to most effectively work with students. I have worked with students ranging from young teenagers, undergraduate students, graduate students as well as students at-risk. I have a commitment to service and an ability to create positive change around me. I am a passionate and dedicated individual and I want to make your organization better.

Daphne Everhart

You need to hire me because… I have extensive programming experience that translates well to success in many areas of student affairs.  Additionally, my positivity and enthusiasm make me a great addition to any team oriented office.  While my primary professional experience lies in student activities, I’m also interested in pursuing a career in first year experience, Greek Life, leadership, and volunteerism/service learning.  When I’m not working with UGA’s programming board, I enjoy spending time with my wheaten terrier puppy, traveling, and working out.

Lauren Hopkins

You need to hire me because… I am passionate about the fraternal values movement and love to have fun!

Christy Tanton

You need to hire me because… like many people in the field, I chose Student Affairs for the opportunities it allowed me to make an impact on students. Through my graduate education I have learned the many ways in which Student Affairs professionals can learn the balance between challenge and support, with the ultimate goal of students reaching their full potential. I am not naive in thinking that every student I come in contact with is going to develop and grow to their fullest potential, but I can promise I will commit to each student with the hope and determination that they can. I believe in the power of self authorship and it is my career goal to be good company for students journey. My resume speaks to my qualities, but I believe what sets me apart is my 110% work ethic, my unwavering passion for students, and the ability to know when to push and when to support.

Shannon Healy

You should hire me because… of my broad range of experiences in student affairs. From welcoming incoming first-year students during Orientation to helping seniors polish their resume for graduation in Career Services, I’ve worked with just about every age and type of student on campus. I’m energized by people and love to motivate them in return.

Lorriz Anne (Lori) Alvarado

You should hire me because … I approach my work with whole-hearted passion, determined focus, and excited wonderment. Like many others in student affairs, I’ve chosen this career because I love it and want to help students. But what sets me apart from them is the intrinsic satisfaction and energy I get when I know I’m working toward improving myself, my work, my college, and the institution of higher education. Although I will soon be done with graduate school (for now), I believe that we are all still students; there are tons of information and resources out there to utilize and better inform our work (e.g. SA Blog).  The sheer idea of being a professional excites me because I have the potential to contribute to the work being done on your campus and ultimately to affect your students’ lives. Combining my love for helping students with my uncanny skills in dedicating all of my attention and energy for long periods of time, I can guarantee that when I set goals for myself, I am determined to put my hopes and full energy into making my work the best it could possibly be.  You may believe my passion and enthusiasm is temporary because I’m a new professional, but I hope you realize that I am more than that. I believe that you should hire me because I am exactly what you need: beyond having the required work experience, I am someone new with a lot of energy, a unique perspective, excited to learn more, and dedicated and passionate about this career field.

Rebecca (Becca) Fick

You need to hire me because … I am deeply committed to engaging students and providing them opportunities to grow. One of my students wrote this during an affirmation, “She plans for the details that others would likely overlook.” I embed learning outcomes and development theories in all of my work, and find meaningful ways to share these ideals with other students and staff. My experiences outside and within student affairs have encouraged me to create meaning in all that I do, and above all to do good. Beyond the theory, I can demonstrate my experience through practice and evidence: I have presented at institutional, regional, and state conferences, interned through the National Orientation Directors Association, held a graduate assistantship for two years, completed two additional 150-hour internships, and served as an elected member of the Ohio College Personnel Association.  If  there is an opportunity for me to contribute to your student’s development and support your staff, you need to hire me.

Zack Ford

You need to hire me because… I’m incredibly passionate about social justice, I’m an organized multitasker who gets the job done and then thoroughly assesses it, and I’m a social media and technology junkie! (See http://zackfordblogs.com)

Jon Tingley

URL: http://campustalkblog.com/about-jon/
Resumé: http://web.me.com/jontingley
You should hire me because… I have a wide range of Student Affairs experience and after completing my degree this May, I will have worked in Student Affairs for 5 years. I started out in student government and administration as Senator, LGBTQ Issues Director and Vice President of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Student Association. I then moved to working for Client Services and Security for our Student Union. This position gave me a feel for what it’s like to manage and secure a facility’s day to day operations. During this time, I also assisted in opening UWM’s First Year Center. I was brought on to help craft UWM’s first year experience and manage transitioning student mentors. Shortly after moving on from Client Services, I started working at our Union Recreation Center as a Program Coordinator. This is where I have the bulk of my experience in staff management, program development and staff development/training. I’ve decided that I want to pursue a Graduate Assistantship in Residence Life, so this semester I took a Residential Programs internship with our University Housing Department. I also write a column for our student newspaper that deals with student health and for Campustalkblog.com, a Student Activities blog. Overall, I believe my experience and dedication to the field make me an excellent candidate.

Laura Rogalski

You should hire me because… I am an experienced, excited and energetic young professional who is truly looking forward to working in the field of College Unions. My graduate work experience in itself is a testament to my thirst for knowledge and passion for Student Affairs. Being lucky enough to have had the ability to gain work experience in a number of areas, I would bring your College Union, and your institution, the leadership and student-centered development practices of an experienced professional. While I may not have all of my experience working directly within a College Union, the experiences I have had and the skills that I have gained from them are highly transferrable: staff development, supervisory skills, communication, advising, counseling, marketing, leadership development, budgeting, etc.   I am the future of the College Union field. My passion for this field of work is of the highest importance to me as I would not want to begin a career doing something I did not love. Nothing gives me greater joy than seeing a student develop and become more confident in their abilities and the knowledge that I helped, even the smallest amount, to make that development possible. In conclusion, you should hire me simply because I bring the best of myself to my work and I do my best to bring out the same in those around me. A career in the field of College Unions is not work to me…it is an exciting life experience.

Best wishes to these and all the those searching for positions this year!  If the #SACHAT and #STUDENTAFFAIRS community and I can help in anyway, please don’t hesitate to ask!