The transition from graduate school to a full-time position in student affairs can be filled with
both opportunities and challenges. In order to be successful, new professionals must understand
the organizational and political realities of working on college and university campuses. Beginning Your Journey: A Guide for New Professionals in Student Affairs addresses the most critical and current issues for those entering the field.
In this updated and expanded edition, seasoned student affairs leaders and new professionals share
practical advice and offer broad perspectives on a number of important topics, including: managing
the first job search and networking professionally; seeking opportunities for career advancement;
supervising student affairs staff; achieving work–life balance; defining professional and personal
ethics; collaborating with faculty colleagues; handling critical incidents and larger crises; assessing
student learning outcomes; and using technology and social media effectively.
Whether you are moving into student affairs from a graduate preparation program or making a career
change, this book shows you how to navigate and negotiate within the higher education landscape.
Praise for Beginning Your Journey
“Graduate school and early-career socialization helps new professionals transition to their careers.
Through the voices of seasoned professionals and those early on their path, Beginning Your Journey
provides a good launching pad for discussion in a capstone seminar by helping students anticipate and
prepare for inevitable challenges.” —MAUREEN E. WILSON, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs, Bowling Green State University
“Beginning Your Journey should be required reading in all preparation programs to ensure new
professionals are equipped with the enhanced soft skills so necessary to succeed in the field. The text
material is very accessible to new professionals entering the work force, with chapters covering key
issues, skills, and concepts encountered in the first position.” —DIANE L. COOPER, Professor of College Student Affairs Administration, University of Georgia
“Not only will this book prove valuable to new professionals, but in a rapidly changing higher education
environment surrounded by political and financial realities, supervisors will benefit from reviewing the
current state of these issues as well.” —CHERYL M. CALLAHAN, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
“This book is a must-read for emerging and new professionals in the field of student affairs. In this
latest edition, Amey and Reesor continue offering an accessible and meaningful compilation of both
practical and theoretically grounded concepts to socialize readers into the field.” —JEFFREY C. SUN,
Professor and Assistant Department Chair, Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and
Organizational Development, University of Louisville
“This book should be handed to every new professional as they begin their work in student affairs.
It contains a wealth of practical information and advice from outstanding leaders in our field, and
it covers all of the bases in an easy-to-read manner.” —PEG L. BLAKE, Vice President of Enrollment
Management and Student Affairs, Humboldt State University