Month: January 2020

Conference Updates - Professional Development

Reflections from APEX: Black Career Services Professional Summit

January 31, 2020 by 0 Comments

By V’Rhaniku Haynes, University of Central Florida, Kelvin Rutledge, Southern Connecticut State University, and Renard Miles II, University of Tennessee at Martin

SoACE hosted its inaugural Black Career Services Professional Summit during the 2019 annual conference in Memphis, TN. The purpose of the Summit was to provide a space for leadership and professional development for Black Career Services professionals. This event brought together 40 Black Career Services Professionals and provided an authentic and transparent space for networking, mentoring and sharing of ideas.

APEX, by definition, refers to the highest or most top point of an object or idea. When the co-chairs collaborated in this endeavor, we had a larger vision to develop a space where individuals could envision their fullest potential through authentic and transparent conversations. By centering both the personal self and our professional identity as career services professionals, we ultimately wanted individuals walking with a larger sense of energy and vision into the SoACE Annual conference.

In addition to networking, the Summit encouraged open dialogue and allowed participants to ask questions and get candid advice from both leaders and peers. The event included a panel and roundtable discussions on navigating Career Services as a Black professional and a session on preparing for executive-level searches.

It was a unifying experience to have all these Black professionals in one space. Ultimately, this is what conferences are all about: a group of people with the same interests getting together to listen, learn, share ideas, and interact. One of the participants shared the following message about the Summit:

“I can say that this was my BEST experience at SoACE and I know that it was directly tied to the pre-conference Summit. Being black in career services and attending conferences, can sometimes make you feel out of place and disconnected. However, with this Summit, I felt like I was entering a family reunion and it helped shape my experience throughout the conference.”

While this was the first Black Career Services Professional Summit, many hope to see the event continue at future conferences.

Why Was This Space Needed?
When discussing the importance of professional spaces for Black professionals, the answer is simple…it’s never not important. In these spaces we can share stories, find understanding, and build support systems. Having a group of peers and leaders who are navigating similar situations allows Black professionals to remain grounded while navigating similar circumstances in the workplace.

People of color need their own space. Black people need their own space. We need spaces where we can be our authentic selves. People of color often feel the need to “code switch” when navigating workspaces. You can forget who you are and the value you bring. “So, being in this space allowed me to reclaim forgotten parts of myself.”

Spaces like these have always existed; they simply get refined with time. The African American Female Summit and African American Male Summit, workshops held annually during the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) conference, are prime examples of impactful, relevant, and timely spaces focused on professional development and growth. During these events, Black student affairs professionals “connect with one another and exchange information related to the successes and struggles they face on their respective campuses (West, 2016).”

People can enjoy an exciting opportunity to network and reflect on who they are and the unlimited potential they possess. With this in mind, there will continue to be a need for professional development programs “for us, by us”.

SoAce black professionals summit group photo

Member Spotlights

Member Spotlight: Renard Miles, II

January 24, 2020 by 0 Comments

Renard Miles, II is a native of Jackson, Tennessee, and a graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Austin Peay State University with a Master of Science in Management. He is currently working on a Doctor of Philosophy in Learning and Leadership from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Presently, Renard serves as the Assistant Director of Career and Employer Development at the University of Tennessee at Martin. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of both the Career Development and Employer Relations units. Renard also has experience working in secondary education and nonprofit organizations. Renard enjoys both learning from students as well as sharing what he has learned from his professional experiences. In his free time, Renard enjoys spending time with his family and be serving as an active volunteer with his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. His hobbies include traveling and group fitness exercises.

How did you get into the Career Services profession?

I started my career in Career Services at the University of Memphis as a Career Peer Educator. At that time, I had no inkling of what career services were, let alone what they did for students. I vividly remember one of my instructors asked me if I was looking for an opportunity to work on campus. Hesitantly, I said maybe and a couple of weeks later, I found myself working in the Office of Career Services. To my surprise, that was eight years ago, and to this day, I am still grateful that I accepted her offer.

Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you? (feel free to elaborate on your current role or past roles)

When I first became active in SoACE four years ago, I was very shy and intimidated by the process. I did not know anyone, and on top of that, I had moved to a new university, so everything felt like a rollercoaster. Though all of that played a part in my initial experience, one thing remained true: I wanted to get involved. Thankfully, everyone I came into contact with was very welcoming and nice, and they encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. During my second year, I took several individuals’ advice, and I joined the Employer Relations Knowledge Group (ERKG) and became the Assistant Program Coordinator for Webinars and Virtual Professional Development. I served in that role before later moving up to the Program Coordinator for Webinars and Virtual Professional Development. After having some transitions within our KG, I was presented with the opportunity to serve in my current role as Chair of the ERKG. Reflecting on my experiences reminded me of the importance of getting involved. Had I not listened to my supervisor and colleagues from SoACE, I would not be as involved as I am today. SoACE has impacted my professional career greatly, and I am extremely grateful for the numerous opportunities the organization has given me.

What advice do you have for new professionals who aspire to get more involved in the profession?

Do not be shy and chase your professional goals and aspirations. SoACE is a unique organization, and we encourage all of those who seek to grow to be involved. Lastly, do not be afraid to ask questions on how to get involved. Your SoACE experience is what you make it.

What is your favorite quote?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela

How have the relationships you have built over the years impacted your career? 

The relationships that I have built within SoACE have provided me with me some of my closest friends, and it has given me several additional networks and resources that I can use throughout my professional career. From calling a colleague about programming questions to asking a friend how we can better serve our student-athletes, these opportunities would not have been a reality without my SoACE relationships.

What is a unique fact about you?

I am a certified cycling instructor. Over the past seven months, I vowed to accomplish a new goal, and becoming a certified fitness instructor was one.

You can connect with Renard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renardmiles/

Professional Development

SoACE Research Fellowship and Professional Development Scholarships Applications Open Now

January 17, 2020 by 0 Comments

Applications are open for the Southern Association of Colleges and Employer’s Research Fellowship and Professional Development Scholarships. The applications close Friday, February 28, 2020. To submit an application for either of these opportunities, please visit: https://www.soace.org/research-fellowships-scholarships

Research Fellowship

The Research Fellowship is an opportunity for SoACE to promote and support research and study projects that will further the state professional purpose of SoACE and its members. The research must fall within the mission of SoACE. Last year’s winner, Annie Shealy from the University of South Carolina, is in the midst of her fellowship that will conclude in fall 2021. Her research focuses on providing a better understanding and best practices to employer relations outreach and subsequent strategies. She and her team hope to determine significant factors that can utilize a predictive model to maximize outreach resources and be more effective in targeting companies and industries of good fit. She explains that the fellowship has given her and her team the motivation to dive into data that has been collected in the past and is now being analyzed due to the support of the fellowship. She explains why SoACE members should apply to this opportunity by saying, “It is 100% worth applying! For context, I was in my first 6 months in career services when I applied.  I did not think I had a chance of being selected, but it was a fantastic exercise in proposal writing, and it has truly catapulted my learning and development as a career service professional.  I mean how often in higher education do you have funds to just research and explore a passion project?  I believe if you are on the fence, go for it!”

Professional Development Scholarships

In addition to awarding one research fellowship, SoACE will be offering three scholarships to career service professionals and employer members. Two of the three are Professional Development Scholarships that will provide a maximum of $2000 to be used for a professional development program, event, resource, or certification toward a related activity of the member’s choice. The third is a SoACE Employer Relations Summit Scholarship that will provide a maximum of $1000 to be used for the Employer Relations Summit this summer in Fort Worth, Texas. One of last year’s winners, Katie Ramirez from Trinity University explained the impact the scholarship had with this, “The SoACE scholarship allowed me to attend a specialty conference I never would’ve been able to otherwise.  I was able to make some new employer connections as well as gather critical insights for students that I could not have by just visiting websites, making calls, etc.  Thank you SoACE!”

Questions? Contact the Professional Development Scholarship & Research Fellowships Chair: Heidi Gilbert, Virginia Tech (hlgilbert@vt.edu) or 540-231-6241.