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Background on first-generation students
Background on first-generation students
Challenges faced by first generation college students
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During my senior year of college, I decided to switch career paths and pursue Student Affairs. I can honestly admit, I did not fully understand what that meant at the time but I knew I wanted to help students transition in college. As a first-generation college student, I was significantly influenced by the Student Affairs staff at my undergraduate institution. I had arrived at college lost and struggled both academically and socially through my first year. It was not until a Student Affairs professional nudged me in the right direction, that my college experience began to evolve. In part, it was through their dedication to me that I was able to become who I am today; they challenged me and my beliefs to get me to see a different world, a better
According to Munsch and Cortez, (2014), the intellectual structure of excellence proves to be the basis of student affairs organization. Perfection in this context is the school’s or person’s habits that integrates students in learning Moreover, excellence will be used to describe activities that have proven through observation to serve as best or better actions. Student’s affairs practitioner need to be abreast intellectually, they are at least required to have a baccalaureate degree. Master’s degree is usually the prerequisite for mental health related fields. Student affairs practioners need to be competent in the following areas: (a) advising and helping. It focuses on advising
Prompt: In 500 words or more, describe your collegiate experience thus far. How has this experience and the knowledge you've gained influenced what you plan to study? How have they influenced your decision to apply to St. Edward's?
My journey to higher education spans 24-years and combines two passions, teaching and EMS (emergency medical services). This journey began in 1986 with a suburban kindergarten class of 25 in Memphis, TN. Eleven years later no longer am I teaching school-age children; instead, I am delivering training programs to EMS providers as well as the medical community. Today, I combine both passions to offer students authentic experiences through which to obtain proficient skills in written and oral communications, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, as well as in negotiation and conflict resolution skills as they prepare for rewarding
During the past three years of college, my interest in counseling has been affirmed through a variety of experiences. One important experience that influenced my decision to pursue a career as a school counselor was my involvement in my community service sorority, Chi Delta Alpha. Through Chi Delta Alpha, I volunteered on several occasions, among them I babysat children to provide parents with a night off; I was responsible for a group of elementary students as they experienced college classes and I painted a caboose for a local playground. A theme that has remained constant throughout all my different experiences is that making a difference in a person’s life is a rewarding experience, and I know that I desire a career that enables me to support high school students as they face difficult situations.
The stereotypical version of the normal life of a teenager proceeding to college would include high academic standards met throughout their high school career and outstanding outside testing scores resulting in automatic entry into the institution of their choice. Many of these individuals have the support of their accomplished family members in the form of financial support. There are those who have not had the luxuries of any easy upbringing but forced to decide between a life with a college degree or full-time employment. For myself I want to have it all and to achieve that I have taken on both.
Individuals’ perceptions of their life/worth have the power to control the goals that they can carry out and meet. Every day we are learning new things and everyone has his/her own unique ways of learning. My strong desire to help students with their academic, personal, and social needs make me a strong candidate as a school counselor. While completing my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Program Administration I learned a great deal about myself. I have a passion for learning and want to share and express that love for learning with students. I feel that the Master of School Counseling program provides a direct path to my career goals of helping students to comprehend subject matter while learning to love learning as I do. Not only will
From the past year of my involvement with Student Government, and the activities and events participated in and organized, I wish to rejoin SGA for the upcoming school year. When I first applied for Student Government, I initially expected a laid back role within the organization, as it was my first year and it was widely known that the group lacked efficiency or an actual role in the school community. Fortunately, I was wrong, and entered this school year with active (and stressful) responsibilities for the organization. Looking back on my own performance and actions during each event and student-run activity I participated in, I would like to think I served my purpose well, and excelled in the roles I was given, such as planning events,
As a byproduct of the change in college culture, it will create a “friendlier” environment for first generation. Students need to feel safe rather than out of place. Additionally, prestigious institutions need to take initiative to create new programs that will make college a painless transition for first generation students by implementing new policies such as mentors or clubs. As many colleges and universities have not taken the initiative to help first-generation students, North Carolina State University is one of the few exceptions. As a fellow first generation college student at North Carolina State University, I have reaped many benefits from the different organizations they have around campus. In the Poole College of Management, I was assigned a professional mentor in my future line of work that made the transition into college a better experience for me. After listening to his forums, I was able to use the skills I had learnt from my parents and apply it to college and my study habits benefiting me in countless possibilities. Additionally, the sociology department at North Carolina State University has created a program that guides first-generations students throughout all four years of college making the transition as
I cannot recall a more rewarding experience than helping facilitate a child’s education while enabling parent participation alike. These experiences have drawn me to my current position as an Educational Assistant where I am constantly interacting and establishing relationships with students, learning about their goals and aspirations. It is that same desire to empower our future students that has steered me towards a career as a school counselor. By enrolling in the Masters in counseling program, I aspire to develop methods and experience to become an effective, experienced, and adaptable school counselor that promotes self-awareness, allowing students to realize their full potential and impetus them towards a promising future. I want to learn skills that facilitate personal and career development, ensuring that our students grow accomplishing their goals and ambitions.
My freshman seminar class hitherto has been good. In this class I have been learning about various topics. These topics fall into helping us for high school and preparing us for the future. These topics was important and necessary because they helped us to avoid from not being successful. One of the topics we have recently accomplished was budgeting.
As a strong customer service manager and a previous halls assistant, I have positively impacted the lives of the people around me for my entire working life. I am applying for this role as I want to continue to help others in a more active way, using my excellent communication skills and exceptional drive to succeed and thrive in any environment I am thrown into. I believe that my knowledge regarding students issues will be one of my biggest strengths as I have already worked in that environment as a Residence Support Assistant at Keele University; I dealt directly with Students and helped them with various issues, including but not limited to- mental illnesses, domestic disputes/thefts, social ostracisation, alcohol/substance abuse, sexual abuse, first aid situations etc. Additionally, I am well acquainted with the trials and tribulations of living in student halls as I have done so before.
Reflecting on my professional philosophy as it pertains to Student Affairs; I believe Student Affairs should be comprised of several different entities, which individually fits the needs of every student. Based on the foundational components of Student Affairs, which lends itself towards my philosophy in directly supporting and helping students discover their purpose, goals/objectives and striving for internal growth. Clearly, a very tough and arguable a large task to conquer, despites some of my beliefs, my main intent is to foster growth. Obviously, many of my beliefs coincide with Student Affairs identity, as we come to know it from today’s perspective view. Therefore, Student Affairs, has taken on a very different identity, which has gradually
Additionally, I gained significant experience working with students and various departments on campus, including Student Life, the Office of Community & Ethical Standards,
My experiences over the years at the University of Houston have contributed the most to shaping my personal identity. I realized that some of my strongest attributes revolved around working with others. This included working with others with backgrounds and experiences different than my own, while also being able to lead and teach others. One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at UH was as a Resident Advisor for two years. It was rewarding because I was consistently being introduced to residents with completely different backgrounds than my own.
...new classes, I soon realized what would be the biggest challenge of college: deciding on a major. Yes, I am one of those people who started college without first declaring a major. I soon heard every question, suggestion, and response regarding possible options. I even began concocting false majors to throw some people off. Large-Scale Demolition was a crowd favorite.