Surviving the Industry: Recording your title track in Higher Education

1. Surviving the Industry: Recording your title track in Higher Education Misty Smethers & Andy Axsom University of North Texas Health Science Center

2. Presentation Overview • About Us • Team Building Activity • Getting Started in the Field • Life Changes • Climbing the Ladder • Long-Term Goals • Top 10 List

3. About Us • Misty Smethers, MAE • 7 Years of Higher Education Experience • Experience in Student Activities, Leadership, Student Union (Prog. & Mgmt.), Greek Life, Recruitment • Andy Axsom, MBA • 9 Years of Higher Education Experience • Experience in Career Services, International Student Services, Academic Advising, Student Activities • Both of Us • Pursuing our Doctoral Degrees in Higher Education • Transplants to North Texas • Millennials whose traits don’t always match with the traditional characteristics given to our generation

4. Team Building Activity • Pair up with someone not currently on your campus • Talk about 3 obstacles/challenges that you face currently in your work/life balance • Exchange contact information and make a pledge to contact one another within a week to provide advice on how to overcome those challenges

5. Getting Started in the Field • Interviews • What Questions to Ask? • Professional Development, Education, Priorities, etc. • What to Look for in the Interview? • Work Environment, Visibility of the Position, Clear Expectations of Responsibilities • Types of Institutions • Evaluate where you want to be - Public/Private, 2yr/4yr, Professional/Comprehensive • Job Descriptions • Look for opportunities to develop diverse skills, but also understand the importance of becoming an expert in an area(s)

6. Life Changes • Moving • Being in a New City, Establishing Roots in a Area • Spouses • Getting Married, Having Children, Understanding Different Perspectives relative to our work in Higher Ed. • Changing Jobs • Adjustment of going to a new Institution, Changing Functional Areas, Having your Walking Money Ready, Adapting to a new Management Style (and Multiple Supervisors)

7. Climbing the Ladder • Advancement • Go at your Own Pace / Try Something New • Any new skill development should be viewed favorably • Anticipate the Needs/Expectations of your Supervisor and Over-Deliver on Expectations • Education • Make Sure you do it Right the First Time, Don’t do it Halfway • Professional Organizations • Evaluate what Type you Want to Get Involved with (National, Regional, State/Local) • Get Involved in at least One Comprehensive Organization or One Outside your Functional Area • Be Aware of where your Supervisor’s Loyalties Lie

8. Long-Term Goals • Mentoring • Does not have to be Formal • Look to your Supervisor (but be mindful of their responsibilities to the institution), other Leaders on Campus and Beyond for Advice, Guidance, Support • Develop your own Leadership Style • Work environment, visibility of the position, clear expectations of responsibilities • Choose your Confidants Carefully • Set Your Goals High • Don’t get Locked into a Specific Path/Plan or Have Unrealistic Expectations • Say Yes often, but keep in mind your Priorities

9. Top 10 • Don’t fool yourself into thinking your • institution revolves around you. • Hold yourself accountable to learn from your • mistakes. • Remember that life happens-your life is not • your work. • Know who you are and what you stand for, • evaluate advice carefully. • 6. Don’t treat your supervisor as your friend.

10. Top 10 cont’d • 5. Look at everything as an opportunity. • 4. Balance is a matter of perspective. • 3. If you come to your boss with a problem, come prepared with a solution. • You don’t always fit where you think you • belong. • Don’t compare your success to anyone else’s.