October is nationally recognized as Careers in Student Affairs Month and the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Scranton is coordinating some great events throughout the month. These events are meant to allow student leaders that are interested in a future career in student affairs to explore their possibilities. Events include attendance at a conference, a webinar, a panel reception, and shadowing Student Affairs staff members. For more event details and resources, please visit http://matrix.scranton.edu/studentlife/studentaffairs/student-activities/Careers%20in%20Student%20Affairs%20Month.shtml.

This past Saturday, Oct. 2, a group of six students and one staff member from campus attended the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Careers in Student Affairs Conference held at Towson University in Towson, Md. The Office of Student Affairs encouraged and supported students to attend this great opportunity. The students who attended were Carl Caceres, Patrick Cassidy, Hillary Fanelli, Shawn Lamb, Elyse McCabe and Shawn Washart. In addition, Michael Baumhardt, assistant director of student activities and orientation, accompanied them on the trip.

This conference allowed the undergraduate students to learn more about a career in Student Affairs. The sessions included the opportunity to network with other regional student affairs professionals who led small group discussions.  This day conference also allowed the students to understand the history and value of Student Affairs, hear stories about the rewards that come from the field, explore graduate schools and programs, gain practical knowledge on job searching, placement exchanges and resume development, and network with professional members from other institutions. In addition to attending these sessions, Michael Baumhardt and Shawn Lamb co-presented a session titled “Making Your Student Involvement Your Future Career.”

The Scranton students from who attended the NASPA (www.naspa.org) conference realize the personal and professional growth opportunities available with a career in student affairs. It is a rewarding career path that is able to have a direct interaction with students attending a higher education institution. The conference attendees are currently involved in many functional areas of Student Affairs at The University of Scranton and are preparing themselves for a rewarding and progressive career in Student Affairs.

If you are a student interested in finding out more information about the many possibilities of working in Student Affairs or Student Affairs in general, please visit http://matrix.scranton.edu/studentlife/studentaffairs/student-activities/Careers%20in%20Student%20Affairs%20Month.shtml.

In addition, you may contact Michael Baumhardt at baumhardtm2@scranton.edu or ext. 6233.