1. As with any job search define your values, interests, skills and abilities. 2. Know what you want in a job (location, small, large, public or private). (residence life, counseling, student activities, career development, etc.). 3. Have realistic expectations, the convention is for job leads and making contacts with other professionals. 4. Have an error free resume and application materials. 5. Be prepared to discuss goals, skills and abilities in an interview. Support your discussions with examples. Have samples to share. 6. Do research on the institutions and the positions. Make use of the Candidate

Resource area if offered, also take advantage of networking opportunities throughout the conference. 7. Talk to colleagues about opportunities. Stay in contact with faculty and professionals you're your institution. They may have the contacts. Networking is key! 8. Expect a great number of candidates will participate. 9. Have plenty of resumes, a stapler, note pad, pens and pencils on hand. Correspond frequently through the Message Center/email/etc. 10. Set up a sensible schedule of interviews and keep an accurate calendar of dates, times and locations of each. More does not always imply greater success.

11. Schedule some time between interviews. Be prepared for over-runs. 12. Interviews generally are 30 minutes in length. Be brief yet thorough. Make no assumptions that you are with an experienced interviewer. Be prepared to take the lead. 13. Try to keep notes on the positions you’ve interviewed for. Names, position descriptions, brochures and catalogues are always helpful for future reference. Ask for supporting materials, business cards etc... 14. Make conscious decisions about attending socials and receptions. Continue on pg. 4

25 Steps for a Successful Conference Job Search

The transition from graduate school to a full-time position in student affairs can be filled with both opportunities and challenges. In order to be successful, new professionals must understand the organizational and political realities of working on college and university campuses. Beginning Your Journey: A Guide for New Professionals in Student Affairs addresses the most

SPRING 2010 Page 1

Graduate Student

Network Co-Chairs

Sally G. Parish

sparish@utk.edu

Jeni Watanabe

jlwatanabe@csupomona.edu

Graduate Students take a break

at NODAC 2009 in Anaheim, CA

Left to right: Joey Smith, Sam

Nublit, Ana Maria Barrera, Caleb

Cash and Christine Cullen.

NODAC Graduate Student Net-

work Activities included a gradu-

ate symposium, the GSN meet-

ing, a resume critique, and a case

study competition.

critical and current issues for those entering the field.

In this comprehensive guide, seasoned student affairs leaders and new professionals

share practical advice and offer broad perspectives on: Managing the first job search and networking professionally; Seeking opportunities for career

advancement; Supervising student affairs staff; Achieving work–life balance; Defining professional and personal ethics; Collaborating with faculty colleagues; and Handling critical incidents and larger crises. Whether you are moving into student affairs from a graduate preparation program or making a career change, this book shows you how to navigate and negotiate within the higher education landscape.

Beginning Your Journey...

Congratulations NODAC 2010 Case Study Competition

Winners!

Best Overall Drew Shelburne, Cal Poly SLO

Bianca Martinez, Univ of Texas, El Paso

Best Communication Christine Cullen,

Florida State University

Sam Noblet, Eastern Illinois University

Best Problem Solving

Brooke Sibley, Texas A&M University

Catie McCoy,

University of Georgia

Graduate Student Network

Spring 2010 Newsletter

Page 2 SPRING 2010

This past year I

was fortunate to

complete a

national search

for graduate

programs and

interview for

assistantships in

Student Affairs. After each interview, I

imagined myself in that assistantship

and what it meant for my professional

development, I kept returning to

programs for first-year students. In

March 2009 I was accepted to Oregon

State University’s College Student

Services Administration program and

offered an assistantship in New Student

Programs & Family Outreach, support-

ing orientation efforts. I was thrilled to

start my assistantship, but had a limited

Orientation background. In April, I

visited Jeni Watanabe at Cal Poly

Pomona to learn more about NODA

and how I can prepare myself for a

career in Orientation. She suggested

that I utilize the upcoming summer to

visit orientations throughout the greater

Los Angeles area, where I was

spending my summer with family. I ran

with her idea and sent email requests to

preview programs at large 4-year public

institutions, commuter campuses and

private 4-year colleges. Ultimately, I

visited 5 universities varying in size,

demographics and university goals.

From this experience, I learned that

orientation programs are unique to the

institution, there are multiple ways to

present similar information, and that

you must look at your student’s needs

and provide resources accordingly.

Although this summer I will be working

full-time at OSU’s START Orientation, I

hope to expand on my knowledge and

preview orientation programs in the

Pacific Northwest. Whether it is an

informational interview or campus visit,

graduate students need to be creative

with educational opportunities and

networking efforts.

Attending NODAC for the first-time can be very

overwhelming for a Graduate Student. From the first day of

the graduate symposium to the closing lunch, there is a lot

to take in. I would love to share with you some of the ad-

vice I wish I would have received before my first NODAC:

♦ Take advantage of everything the graduate sympo-

sium has to offer! In addition to the great information

you will receive during sessions, you will make con-

nections that could last a lifetime. Branch out and meet

grads from other institutions. Bring business cards or

trade contact information so you can stay in touch.

♦ Get to educational sessions as early as possible! The

sessions you think will be the most interesting are

probably the same sessions everyone else will want to

attend. Be prepared with back up sessions to attend if

your first-choice is full. Attending your second or third

choice session is a great opportunity to expand your

interests and learn about something new.

♦ Dress appropriately! NODA is a pretty casual organi-

zation, so do not go out of your way to dress in profes-

sional-wear for the entire conference (you will just be

uncomfortable!). Business casual or jeans and a polo

work just fine for most of the conference, and there is

even a “wear your orientation shirt” day built into the

schedule! But, remember to bring something dressier

to wear to the reception and dinner.

♦ NODACs are held in exciting cities with plenty of social

activities to engage in with your fellow grads and orien-

tation professionals at night. Be mindful of your actions

at these events as you might be in the presence of a

future employer!

For more information on NODAC 2010, visit

http://www.nodac.org/index.php where you will find more

information on speakers, sessions, travel and hotel accom-

modations as well as updates on schedules and graduate

student events! See you November 6-9, 2010 in St. Louis!

Preparing for a Career: My orientation experience prior to grad school By Kim Scatton, Oregon State University

Advice to Graduate Students Attending NODAC 2010 By Christine Cullen, Florida State University

had recently graduated and is now

working in orientation. The new profes-

sional had great tips for approaching the

job search and shared her transition from

being a student to working professional.

The afternoon sessions were divided

between first and second year gradu-

ate students. This was extremely

helpful since the second year topics

related to job search strategies, inter-

view skills, values in the workplace,

and moving from being a student to

life as a working professional. As a

second year, these sessions were in-

credibly beneficial! I recently began

my job search and have been able to

use some of the job search and

interview tips I learned from the

graduate symposium.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Graduate

Symposium and highly recommend

all graduate students to participate

(the 2009 participants are pictured to

the left). The Graduate Symposium is an

easy way to network with other graduate

students and attend sessions that are

geared toward graduate student needs/

issues. See you at the next NODAC!

My name is Marisa Dumpis and I am

currently a second year graduate student

at the University of Southern California

in the Postsecondary Administration &

Student Affairs (PASA) program and will

graduate this May.

Last November, I attended my

first NODA Conference and had

an amazing experience! As an

undergraduate at the University of

California, Santa Barbara

(UCSB), I was involved with

coordinating and planning the

Region VI conference that we

hosted one year. However, my

regional conference experience

was nothing compared to the

annual conference.

NODAC 2009 was a series of

firsts for me (first annual confer-

ence and graduate symposium

participant). I signed up last

minute for the Graduate

Symposium and am so glad that I was

able to participate!

The Graduate Symposium offered a

variety of sessions and opportunities to

meet/connect with other graduate

students.

The morning program consisted of

getting to know the NODA Graduate

Student Network co-chairs and other

graduate students, building effective

relationships with your supervisors &

undergraduate students, the importance of

work/school/life balance, and lunch with

a new professionals. I really enjoyed the

lunch with a new professionals and the

opportunity to speak with someone who

Yes, I had back-up

plans for a lost power

point or faulty com-

puter, but I did not

plan for the large

number of

professionals that

attended the session.

My co-presenter and I

were challenged to

creatively work with

a group larger than

expected. However,

countless

professionals were

extremely

encouraging and supportive following

the presentation which displays what a

great opportunity NODAC is for a

graduate student.

For information on presenting at the

2011 conference, please visit

www. nodac.org.

My first NODAC attendance was a

thrilling and educational experience

that contributed extensively to my

graduate career. A fellow graduate

student and I were selected to present at

the Anaheim conference, and because it

was my first time to present at a

professionals-based conference, a great

deal of time was spent preparing for

our inaugural NODAC presentation.

Though I was anxious prior to the

conference, once I arrived to the

Disneyland Hotel and met the terrific

professionals from across the country

(and Canada, too!), my nerves were

soon put to ease.

To those who are considering submit-

ting a proposal for NODAC 2010, I

encourage you to do so. Ensure that

you and your co-presenter(s) are well-

prepared on your subject matter and

have concrete ideas to present. I also

recommend to expect the unexpected.

A Graduate Student reflects on her Graduate Symposium Experience

A Graduate Student’s Reflection on presenting at NODAC

SPRING 2010 Page 3

By Josh McKenzie, University of South Carolina

Josh Mckenzie pictured above

with friends at NODAC 2010

in Anaheim, CA.

25 Tips Continued from pg. 1 These professional opportunities are also helpful in networking. 15. You never know who you are interviewing with. Be professional and courteous at all times. This is a small profession. Never bad-mouth colleagues or the profession. 16. Relax, show yourself as a person and not as an interviewing machine. 17. Always send a thank you note after the interview no matter what your interest in the position. 18. Take some time for yourself. Get out there and see the conference and what is happening within the profession. Consider volunteering some time at Career Central at Convention or other areas. Network...Network...Network.... 19. If the opportunity presents itself, join a commission, committee, or task force. Get involved. AFTER THE CONFERENCE 20. Send follow-up letters and resumes after the conference for positions that interest you. 21. Don’t stop your job search after the conference. Continue to apply for positions using the Chronicle, newsletters, the web and other sources. The search ends when you accept a position. 22. Be patient yet persistent. Conferences hit at a busy time of year for most schools. Sometimes it takes a while to get on-site interviews coordinated. Don’t be afraid to make calls or write additional interest letters while waiting. 23. When invited to on-site interviews, ask about travel plans and procedures, who will be making arrangements, who pays, how much and when. 24. Be prepared to have a very busy schedule and meet many new people. Always be professional and ethical through your entire job search. 25. Keep your chin up! Reprinted in part from http://convention.myacpa.org/career_central_at_convention/2010_Graduate_Prep_Packet.pdf.

The Graduate Student Network The purpose of the Graduate Student

Network is to foster graduate student

learning and support, as well as to provide

opportunities for professional development amongst

NODA’s graduate student members. This is

accomplished through national and regional programs

that enhance graduate students’ mentor relationships,

networking opportunities, resume development,

presentation experience, and overall

preparation for the transition into the

professional workplace.

GSN Regional

Network Representatives:

Region 1

Kimberly Scatton

Region 2

Kelly Anderson Marisa Dumpis

Ana Maria Barrera Drew Shelburne

Region 4

Molly Eberly

Region 5

Ana Sontag

Region 6

Caleb Cash Christine Cullen

Mickey Howard Josh McKenzie

Matt Skirven Tricia Kennedy

Region 7

Mary Beth Fawcett

Amanda Scott Born

Emily Sankey

RNR openings in

Regions 3, 8 & 9. Interested in getting involved?

Contact us to find out how!

The National Orientation Directors Associa-

tion declares a policy of equal opportunity

and non-discrimination in the provision of

services to the membership and the public. In

recognition of responsibility to the member-

ship, NODA reaffirms its policy of fair and

equal treatment in all practices to all persons

regardless of race, color, age, marital status,

sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex-

ual/affectional orientation, disability, or vet-

eran status. NODA complies with all applica-

ble federal, provincial, and state regulations

regarding affirmative action and nondis-

criminatory practices.

Copyright © 1993 National Orientation Di-

rectors Association.