Month: February 2018

Advising KG - Best Practices

Using Insta-Language to Connect with Students

February 13, 2018 by 0 Comments

By Andrew Kohls, Assistant Director, Kansas State University Career Center

As an aging millennial, the drive to conquer all available social media apps is real! This is especially true with student affairs professionals, as we see our students effortlessly switch back and forth between platforms. For me, the big push came when I realized more and more students were dropping Facebook or not creating an account at all. I wanted to get away from Facebook and place my efforts on beefing up my Instagram account, where I could better connect with the “younger” world!

Looking back, I think I was forced to create an Instagram account to connect to a website or another app; I honestly can’t remember. I knew it was there, but I rarely touched it. (Kind of like some of our students and their LinkedIn accounts!) Like every “big” decision in my life, I wanted to seek input from experts who were familiar with the topics I was not. For my Insta-overhaul, I consulted only the best: my high school cousins and one of my faithful student workers! ☺

As I was looking through other Instagram accounts, I noticed that most people had a little blurb about them underneath their profile name. To be consistent, I realized that I also needed something! I texted my experts right away and said,

“Hey! I need a catchy, cool blurb for my Instagram! Can you help?”

Their responses…

“What does that even mean?”
“Like the part that goes under your name?”
“You mean, a bio?”

Obviously I needed a lesson on Insta-language! Once the experts finally understood what I was talking about, the A-HA moment happened!

They responded…
“What do you want viewers to know about you?”
“What do you want it to encompass?”

MIND.BLOWN! Suddenly, I felt as if I were the student and they were the professionals (which in this case, they were!). As a career advisor, my mind immediately went to cover letter and resume development. The questions these students had just asked me are the same questions I ask my students daily! I’m always looking for parallels between my students’ worlds and how they can apply their skills to university careers, and THIS.WAS.IT!

Since my breakthrough, I’ve started using Insta-language with all of my students, particularly my first-year students. Of course, I still use the Instagram “bio” (not blurb!) example to discuss tailoring documents to their intended audiences, but I’ve also started using “Finstas” to discuss personal branding and specific content that may not be appropriate for employers to see. (P.S. “Finstas” are Instagram accounts that students set up, in addition to their regular Instagram accounts, to post certain content they may not want everyone to see!) I’ve also used Instagram “followers” to discuss networking, which enables students to look at their own accounts, explain why they follow certain people, and how they can apply that same concept with networking for their careers.

Overall, my students have reacted very positively to my use of “ Insta-language connections.” The key is to keep the convos light. Be mindful that some students DO NOT want you to know anything about their social media presence, and that’s ok. But above all, stay positive, make clear connections, and HAVE FUN!

This article was originally published by the author at https://studentaffairscollective.org/insta-language-connect-students-sasome.

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Andrew Kohls received a B.S. in Psychology from Kansas Wesleyan University and an M.S. in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. He is currently an Assistant Director in the Career Center at Kansas State University, working with the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design, as well as graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Kohls also serves as an instructor, working with first-year students every fall as part of the K-State First Program. He has been working in higher education since 2010, having previous experience in immigration advising, orientation programming, and admissions. Connect with him at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewkohls Instagram: @andkoh52

 

Award Recipients

Sam Ratcliffe, 2017 Southern Star Award Recipient

February 9, 2018 by 1 Comment

The Southern Star Award may be presented to a person or persons to recognize significant and outstanding contributions to the profession, to society, or to SoACE.  The Southern Star Award is a prestigious recognition of service and contributions exceeded only in significance within SoACE by the Founders Award. SoACE was proud to present Sam Ratcliffe, Director of Career Services at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), with the 2017 Southern Star Award at the Annual Conference in December. This award was also presented to Kent Phillips, recently retired Educator Relations Manager at Disney World Wide Services, who will be featured at a later time.

When Past President Mary Mahoney presented Sam with the award in December, she stated from Sam’s letter of nomination that he “has a strong national reputation in career services leadership and expertise in many areas, including external review processes, professional standards, professional competencies, assessment, and accountability in career services. He was previously recognized by his national peers on the Ten Most Visionary Leaders in Career Services list for two years in a row… He has given countless hours to his profession over the years and is very deserving of the Southern Star Award.”

Sam Ratcliffe, Ph.D. is a consultant, researcher, author, and frequent presenter on key topics related to career services. Receiving the Southern Star Award for significant and outstanding contributions to the profession adds to a long list of accolades that he has received in the course of his career.

A former president of both the Virginia (VACE) and Eastern (EACE) Associations of College and Employers, Sam received the distinguished service award from both organizations. He has served on the board of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as College Director, Vice President-College, and President. Sam also provided career services expertise for ten years as a member of the board of directors for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). Sam has also been a faculty member for leadership studies courses and director of career services at VMI for many years.

Sam is a thought leader and influencer on multiple national issues including career competencies, ethical principles, accountability, external review processes, leadership development, advocacy, outcomes assessment, professional standards, and career services practitioner competencies.  He has been consistently recognized as a top visionary and forward thinking leader in the profession.

He is also one of 35 members of the prestigious NACE Academy of Fellows. This recognition is for his professional contributions to the advancement of knowledge, leadership, and excellence in professional practice.

The call for nominations for the 2018 Southern Star Award will be announced in the fall. When the time comes, please consider nominating a colleague. A list of past award recipients and selection criteria can be found on the Awards and Recognition page of the SoACE website.

 

ER Summit Updates - Professional Development - SoACE Updates

2018 SoACE Employer Relations Summit

February 7, 2018 by 0 Comments
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‘The third time is a charm’ … and the fourth? … Well, you will have to see for yourself! The fourth annual SoACE Employer Relations Summit will be held Wednesday, June 20 – Friday, June 22. There are so many great reasons you should attend. We have listed the top 3 here.

LOCATION:

Being in a new space can spark innovation and encourage us to think outside the box to grow the services we offer. This year the event will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlotte is where I have wanted to be since I was little and where I have called home for the past 10 ½ years. The Queen City is constantly growing and something for everyone and plenty to explore. It is such a welcoming and diverse city where you will most certainly never be bored. We may be the biggest city in the state, but still know the value of good, old-fashioned Southern hospitality!

Carrie Gray, Red Ventures
Employer, 2018 Summit Committee Member

 

NETWORKING:

During the Summit, you will be able to form new relationships and strengthen existing ones. With the narrowed topic of ‘Employer Relations’, you are able to regain focus through connection with colleagues.  Individuals from varying degrees, backgrounds and years of experience will attend this event. Our schedule allows you to share space with peers and make new connections. You may even find your next mentor, mentee or future boss!

Last June a few of my colleagues attended the SoACE Employer Relations Summit. Upon their arrival back to the office, I saw each face energized, as they shared all the knowledge and great takeaways they learned from the conference. I, however, was attending a separate conference and was not able to attend last year’s sessions. Nevertheless, motivated by the words and testimonials of my coworkers I decided that this year, in 2018 I would attend my first Employer Relations summit.

I’m excited to be a first-time attendee and learn from my professional peers about best practices within Career Services, especially how to develop stronger employer relations on college campuses. It is always invigorating attending sessions, networking with colleagues and just having an overall great time.

As a member of NACE, SoACE, and FloridaACE I’ve had the liberty of attending all conferences and by far have loved SoACE & FloridaACE. So I am really looking forward to the SoACE Employer Relations summit in Charlotte, NC.

Carmen Carter, First Time Attendee, 2018 Summit Committee Member
Florida International University

LEARNING & INSPIRATION:

Learn and sharpen your skills within Employer Relations. The Summit offers unique learning opportunities for representatives from institutions of all organization and size.

Breakout sessions and networking roundtables will center on our theme ‘Invest. Accelerate. Drive.’ Topics will relate to Best Practices; Technology and Data Analytics; and Partnerships: Student, Faculty, Alumni. The sessions will offer an in-depth exploration of key topics. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate through group work, development of plans, or other relevant tangible takeaways. Roundtables allow participants to dip quickly into topics in an open environment for idea sharing, bench marking and guided discussion. Have an idea or topic you’d like to share? The call for proposals is currently open. Submit your ideas today.

The SoACE ER Summit is a great opportunity to network with and learn from employer relations professionals. The 2017 Summit in Nashville was extremely helpful! I took away unique programming ideas and employer development strategies that I have since implemented on my own campus and that have helped to enhance and streamline our offerings and processes.

Jill Boatright, 2017 Summit Chair
Loyola University New Orleans

Our keynote speaker for the event will be Raven Solomon. Her speaking style is moving, provoking, amusing, and inspiring!  The Charlotte, NC native defied the odds, overcoming poverty, bullying, battles with anxiety and devastating loss to become Valedictorian of NC State University and later a corporate executive at Frito Lay.  It’s in those moments of tragedy, triumph and loss that her character was shaped & her tenacity was fueled which ultimately led her to establish an inspirational platform as a speaker and corporate coach. Raven is very excited to partner with SoACE and deliver a message of motivation and empowerment that spurs action that drives results!

Invest in yourself and drive (or fly) to the SoACE ER Summit 2018. We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte! Questions? Reach out to the Summit Committee Co-Chairs Bethany Ferrall or Dia Buchanan.

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Dia Buchanan is the Recruitment Coordinator in the Office of Career & Professional Development at Belmont University. She presently serves within SoACE as co-chair of the Employer Relations Summit and Assistant Program Coordinator of Tweet Chats and Social Media for the Employer Relations Knowledge Group (ERKG). Connect with her on LinkedIn for collaboration.