Professional Statement of Student Affairs

Career in Student Affairs

Students' academic life in higher learning institutions is faced with numerous challenges that hinder them while pursuing their educational goals. As a result, universities and colleges are compelled by current academic challenges to devise appropriate countermeasures to assist students achieve their academic goals. From the experiences that I have had during my school years and also having faced several challenges, I have developed an interest in a career in student affairs. I am aware of the tremendous changes that have occurred in the education sector through reading history written over the last century. The United States education sector has experienced numerous changes, and student affairs have been evolving over the years (Schuh et al,. 2017). I intend to come with clear strategies to assist students in overcoming challenges being faced in learning institutions. I have a first-hand experience of how it feels for students when their issues are not adequately addressed. Therefore, I will commit myself to ensuring that students' affairs are thoroughly discussed in time to assist them concentrate on their academics. Any possible change that proves to impact students positively should be utilized at all costs for the benefit of the students.

What First Sparked my Interest in the Students’ Affairs Career Field

My interest in a career in the students' affairs field was first sparked by realizing that psychological issues affecting students in colleges and universities were not being addressed effectively. As a result, I decided to apply for a job in the students' career field to interact with students and assist them psychologically. According to Schuh et al,. (2017), higher learning institutions' demographics have changed tremendously over the years. Besides, more psychological issues are being identified every day due to technology and modern ways of life. Upon realizing that most modern society students face many psychological problems, I decided to dedicate my expertise and time to counseling students and reviving their hope in life. Through interaction with students, I understood that I would get to see students grow and become responsible citizens in the future, which would delight my inner self. As the students develop for the better, I would also get an opportunity to learn new things in life and grow. I delight in helping young people overcome challenges in life by imparting a positive attitude in them. 

The Students’ Affairs Area I am Interested in Working

Given an opportunity, I would be happy to work in residence life for students in colleges and universities. In the residential halls and hostels, most students' lives are either shaped positively or negatively due to the activities that they engage in on daily basis. Since I have a passion in dealing with psychological issues that affect students, then handling matters related to residence life would be satisfying for me. In the residential hostels, students engage in many activities and practices that threat their future. For instance, drug and substance abuse, relationship wrangles and all sorts of immoral activities are practiced in the residential areas. I strongly believe that when students are guided on how to overcome issues that affect their moral lives, then they can become responsible people. As such, I would be influential in the residence life department in any college or university. I would ensure that I engage students in positive activities in their residential areas to deter them from turning to irresponsible behaviors. The residential areas also preferable for discussion on the importance of devoting their time to achieving their academic goals. Through this, students will be able to perform better academically and in future endeavors in life.

What I Believe is Rewarding About a Career in Student Affairs

I believe that assisting students in their academics and impacting their personal development positively is the most rewarding career in student affairs. According to Schuh et al,. (2017), the main aim behind creating a student affairs career was to assist students academically and in personal development. Therefore, without academic excellence and personal development, the department of student affairs would be a failure. I would dedicate my time and efforts towards ensuring that students realize their academic targets and become responsible citizens, both within and outside the school. I would follow up on as many students as possible to identify challenges that affect their lives negatively. Upon identifying their challenges, I would develop appropriate countermeasures to help them overcome the obstacles and lead a goal-oriented life. Challenges that colleges and universities faced in the 1960s and 1970s have evolved over the years and become more complex (Schuh et al,. 2017). Thus, to deal with modern challenges and realize positive results, responsible persons should rely upon new techniques. If proper methods are utilized, I believe great rewards from the efforts put by concerned departments on student affairs would be realized.

My Contributions to Student Affairs

When given a chance to work in the student affairs department, I believe I would have tremendous positive impacts on making student lives better. First, I would promote teamwork within the field and close relations with students. I would ensure that the student affairs field maintains student-friendly interaction strategies that would help identify any challenges that students face while in school. Secondly, I would spearhead an expert team focused on devising ways to cater to and bring positive change to the challenges that students face. Without efficient ways to deal with issues affecting students, it would be impossible to handle their psychological problems. Thirdly, I would prioritize students' academic performance. Amid all the difficulties that students face, I would ensure that their education remains paramount to them at all times. The primary purpose of joining a higher learning institution is for learners to gain academic excellence. Therefore, any challenge that they face during the pursuit of their educational goals should not derail them from their primary purpose of being at school. Despite the many challenges that students face, I would ensure that their academics remain on course.

How Learning in this Course Has Prepared Me for a Career in Student Affairs

During the course learning period, I have learned of the revolutions in the education sector. In particular, I have learned how learning conditions in colleges and universities have changed over the years. I have also been able to know the challenges that ancient students in colleges and universities faced compared to current college and university students' challenges. Besides, I have been able to learn how students' affairs were handled in the past and how its evolution requires better-structured techniques to manage them. Therefore, with the knowledge I have gained in the learning course, I believe I am ready to work in the student affairs department. I am well acquainted with the challenges that students face, and I can assist them in overcoming them. I firmly believe in impacting students positively to achieve their academic excellence and realize personal development. When students are impacted positively, they gain the courage to overcome their challenges and dedicate their time to constructive activities that make them good citizens in the future. Also, the students will be able to face any challenge and be able to find a solution for any challenge that might derail them from achieving their academic goals. 

References

Schuh et al. (2017). Student Services, A Handbook for the Profession. pp. 1-870. http://medc.zbmu.ac.ir/file/download/page/1574501239-john-h.-schuh-susan-r-jones-vasti-torres-student-services-a-handbook-for-the-profession-2016-jossey-bass-1-.pdf