Advise Yourself First

Notes from a presentation from H. Maldonado, Buffalo State College

Advise Yourself First: Preparing to be your best professional self at any stage of your career & on any budget.

1. Assess the outcomes you want from you work

• Intellectual growth
• Personal and educational goals
• Realistic self-appraisal
• Effective communication
• Leadership development
• Collaboration

2. Understand the realities of being a professional

• Part of a larger whole
• Competition for resources
• Varying levels of supervisor quality
  
• Your professional development is your responsibility ALONE
  

3. Define where you are in the professional development cycle

• GOAL
• Plan
• Resources
• Action
• Assess Results
  

4. Which part of your career are you in?

• New Professional- Developing competencies; demonstrating professional behaviors
  
• Mid-Carer-
• Late Career-
  

5. Assess the reality of your career

• Identify where you are
• Identify where you would like to be
• Identify the training, planning, skills, and contacts you need to get there; Review job market & descriptions; network
  

6. Assess the realities of professional development that is available

• FREE: Library books, internet articles, list-servs, committee work, campus leadership, workshops, extra assignments, professional organizations, interning with another office
  
• LOW:Local conferences, purchasing books or materials, One class @ SUNY
  
• MID: Regional conferences; Multiple classes @ a SUNY school
  
• HIGH: National Conferences; Full time college study
  

7. Advising Yourself First Time line:

• Desired Outcome:
• Goal:
• Plan:
• Resources Needed:
• Connections to Make:
• Support Needed:
• Timeline:
• Result:
• Assessment:
• Repeat!
  

8. Think about the little known resources

• Individual department awards
• Campus Grants
• Informational groups & mentors
  

NACADA National Conference Presentation: ACCEPTED!

Just wanted to update readers and let them know that I will be presenting my Social Bookmarking Presentation against at the NACADA 2009 National Conference in San Antonio, TX. If your professional development budget allows, make sure that you try to attend.

Feedback from the proposal evaluators was positive. Read on:

• I can imagine that this concept will get used by many advisors, once they figure out how it works.

• I liked the idea of presenting the idea and how to implement the idea. I liked that the presenter will talk about the positives and negatives and time requirements of implementing the social bookmarking account

• Social bookmarking is an interesting twist on serving all advisees, particularly undecided students. I would imagine this presentation would focus mostly on "how to," but the literature introduction will also be helpful. The proposal was very thorough.

• Interesting topic! Hopefully the information would be relevant and pertain to the available majors or graduate programs available at the institution.

• I think that this is an excellent topic to introduce to the advising profession. Many other educators utilize social bookmarking, etc for their professions, and it would be a great learning tool for students & advisors to use to support developmental advising.

• Creative concept and would help those advisors who are wanting to use and/or learn to communicate with today's students. Hands-on info.

I will be tweaking the presentation a bit to reflect the comments from those in Saratoga Springs, NY. Thanks again to all who provided feedback! It is so awesome to see advisors embracing technology!

Changing of the Guard... or How We Impact Lives Without Even Knowing It

I honestly never thought that I would be able to write a blog post that connected The Twilight Zone to academic advising but alas...here it is.

I stumbled across this episode tonight as I was working on finishing up an exam for student development theory. Please bear with the lack of blog postings.... I am almost done for the semester and with my Master's degree. In the midst of graduation and a new position at work, I am also trying to move into a new apartment and get insurance, retirement accounts, and all those other goodies set up as well...I wouldn't have it any other way though...

Back to the topic....

This episode made me realize that even though we might not think that we make a difference in student lives, we really do...sometimes in a very big way. It might not be because we helped them get into a class that they needed or because we helped them select a major...

It might be because we taught them how to think for themselves and "fish" for knowledge or that we pushed them to take that course in Ancient Greek that inspired them to study abroad...There are so many things that we (as advisors) say and do on a daily basis that impact and change lives...Our job is a very important one...

Take a few minutes and watch the episode...even if you aren't a Twilight Zone fan you will be able to relate.

Enjoy!

A Twitter Revolution: Explosion in users, media mentions

Is it just me or has twitter EXPLODED? Within the last 2 weeks I have heard more and more about it on television, in print, and in my inbox. Friends from high school are now starting to follow me on my professional account and the advisors whom I presented to in Saratoga Springs, NY were eager to learn more about it. I am envisioning a twitter session in my future...

I was definitely skeptical of its power and usage, but once I saw the power at the NACADA Technology Seminar I was hooked. Twitter almost does itself a disservice with its "What are you doing?" tag line. This gives the impression that the material being shared isn't very meaningful. Some of the skeptics that I talked to mentioned that it was a waste of their time to read tweets about what flavor of ice cream people are eating at any given moment.

Their opinion of the tool is one that I can fully understand given the way that twitter is marketed in most circles. I'm not sure how the new Facebook update will impact this new twitter revolution but I'm thinking it might actually fuel the fire in some respects.

What say you?

Do you have room for some delicious feedback?

Before I start reflecting on my presentation I wanted to post the general feedback...meditate on it and then comment. I think that the general sense is that more people want to get involved with technology and just need a forum to get more information. Stay tuned for more ruminations to come.

Comments on my presentation:

Enthusiastic...very informative
Keep going and present more sessions at future conferences
Facebook, website, wiki presentations...showing how you link delicious to other sites lost me a little because i am not internet savvy in that sense. Great job!
A publication would be easier to understand
Very lively!
Very engaging and informative. I plan to go back and set up an account.
Present at an indepth seminar, regional or national conference
Copy of presentation (@ least an outline) would have been helpful in order to follow along and see what's coming next
Spontaniety and freedom from powerpoint. Jillian was motivational.
Work on voice; deeper for increased maturity and credibility
Real time demo of how to set up and use these sites was helpful.
Don't jump around so much-topic to topic-Hard to follow, especially when terms are unfamiliar
Thank you very interesting.
Please present at another regional conference.
Pertinent technical information-Great to learn from; present at NACADA National Conference
Good information, tools...More presentations!
In-depth institute or seminar
Jillian is a star. She will go far in whatever she does.
Present at NACADA National Conference
Energetic. Good presentation. Relevant.
Interesting and lively.
Keep having fun with this.
New technology was presented. Yah!
Good enthusiasm, but lower your voice and slow down a bit. Great job!
Great job. I clearly need to learn much more about this!
I now realize that there is a lot of technology to be used.
Slow down, talk more slowly.
Try to limit mention of all the technology. Bring handout with definitions of language; technology.
Introduction of resources to play with later.
New tool, great enthusiasm.
Take questions when asked, rather than saying you'll go over later because listeners don't know when/if you finally answered the question.
She did a very good job, high energy and communicated effectively.

Embracing Change: Social Bookmarking (NACADA Region 1)

Welcome to those of you who attended my session today at the NACADA Region 1 Conference!

Here are some of the resources we discussed in today's session:

NACADA Social Bookmarking Links (Extra resources, information etc.)

University at Buffalo Delicious Account

Web 2.0 Directory

Delicioussaratoga(2)

View more presentations from jillianreading.

Please feel free to comment on this post as well as others that are on the blog. I am looking forward to collaborating with all of you!

It was great to share this information.

Video is taking longer than anticipated to upload...internet @ the hotel is not that great. As soon as I get a decent (read: faster...) internet connection that will be up.

This is the best version I can get out tonight but rest assured a higher quality version of the presentation is coming soon

Vlog: Saratoga Springs NY Region 1 Conference Day 1

11 Ways to Save a Bad Time at a Conference

We've all been there...the conference from heck. Nothing is relevant to you, the presentations are poor, and the food is horrendous. What should you do? Here are 11 ways to make your experience more productive.

1. Relax and recharge

There is nothing better for your psyche (and productivity) than just getting away from it all for a few days. Sometimes a change of scenary is all we need to come up with that next big idea. So sit on your balcony, play in the sand, and just recharge your batteries. You'll be back in your office before you know it!

2.  Check out the institutions in the area

Whenever I get the chance to travel to a conference, I always check to see what schools are in the area. It's interesting to see the different types of architecture and campus settings that they all have. This practice allows you to see what you value most in a campus and what things you could live without. You never know where your career will take you!

3. Start twittering!

Twitter allows users to groups of users to converse on a single topic (such as a conference) in real-time. Think instant messaging for large groups where everyone gets the message and then has a chance to respond. Recently, the NACADA technology seminar utilized this technology and many of us are still twittering away about conference related items. If you can find a few other people who are twitter users (there are more than you think!) you would have tons of fun and gain a lot of valuable insights you might have missed otherwise. 

4. Volunteer to help out

Perhaps you could staff the hospitality table or even offer to coordinate a solo-travelers dinner list. There is always a need for volunteers at conferences. By taking this opportunity, you not only increase the liklihood that  you will have a better experience but also get the chance to give back to the organization. We are responsible for the effectiveness and content of our professional organizations...hence all members need to pitch in and help in whatever ways they can. 

5. Create or update your portfolio

If you don't have a professional portfolio, now is the time to create one. If you do, take some time to really update it. Unforunately most of us get so caught up in the daily to do's we forget to mark our progress. In order to assess how well we are functioning as advisors, we need to know what we have done well and how we can improve upon it. 

6. Attend a session that you normally wouldn't 

Usually when we attend a conference its because we want to learn about "something"; this could be technology, the latest advising software program, or the latest on student development theory. This desire leads us to attend certain sessions and not others. If the sessions that you've been to haven't met your expectations, TRY SOMETHING NEW. You never know what you'll learn at a session on advising athletes even though your faculty advisor. We can all benefit from going outside our comfort zone periodically and now is as good a time as any. 

7. Network

Use old-fashion business cards or go high tech with Facebook or LinkedIn. You never know when the contacts that you make will come in handy. 

8. Read some publications/professional journals

 

As professionals we know that staying up to date on current material in our field is a requirement. We don't always have the time during our work week to do this (if we ever do). Catch up on your professional reading during this time away. Make sure to take some notes so that when you get back to the office you can utilize this new information. You might even get ambitious and actually start writing up that piece on your fantastic new retention program! Some good places to start are The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Mentor, and InsideHigherEd. 

9. Revise a session that wasn't what you expected

I can't count the number of sessions that I have attended that left me wanting more...more interaction, more examples, just...more. The next time this happens to you, instead of lamenting about how much time you wasted try to think of a better way to present the topic. What modifications could be made to really make it sing? You might just have come up with an excellent presentation for a future conference...

10. Polish your resume

Maybe even hand out a few...Just make sure that everything is as up to date and error free as possible. Resumes are often forgotten about once we've obtained a permanent position, but in reality it should be a constantly evolving project. Frequently updating the document will help to remind you of your accomplishments and actually make you more productive. It will also be ready anytime someone requests it. Take it a step further by putting it online and linking it with your porfolio of work. 

11. Play with a technology you've never used before

There are so many emerging technologies out there today that it's hard to keep up with them all. Try testing out one of them during this time away and then consider if there are any ways you could use this technology in your daily work with students. Almost every technology can in some way be utilized to further our everday academic missions but it takes a bit of creativity. A few you might consider are StumbleUpon, 12seconds, Ning, Mind Meister, and Cramberry. 

Other suggestions?

10 Guilty Pleasures for Academic Advisors (and other higher education professionals)

Every once in awhile we all need to sit back and enjoy the simple things in life...or some funny things on the internet...This is my list of my top 10 guilty pleasures for those of us who work with students on a daily basis. They have brought me much joy and hopefully they will make you smile as well.

1. Diagnosis Undecided Part 1 & Part 2

Just watch and you'll see. Part 1 is particularly funny while still getting its message across very well.

2.: The Chronicle Discussion Forum- In the Classroom

This forum is geared towards professors but anyone can read it. Interesting student excuses, dilemmas and ethical decisions when dealing with students...you name it this forum has discussed it. This is a must read for me. 

3. Go to class with a student

I heard this tip while attending a conference last fall and it has stuck with me ever since. We are constantly telling our students to go to call, how to manage their time, where to sit in the classroom...but how long has it been since we've actually been in a classroom. Check one out if your student is OK with you accompanying them. Most large lecture courses won't even notice that your there. 

4. Watch Animal House or any of these other films about Higher Education 

The more movies I watch about higher ed, the more I realize how much I love it. Take some time and see how accurately our role is portrayed. Watch the film from the perspective of an advisor rather than from a casual viewer. There are great examples and lessons to be learned. 

5. Watch a (or 10) TED Lectures

If you haven't heard of TED yet, you are missing out! These lectures come from the minds of some of our most influential thinkers and range in topic dramatically. There truly is something for everyone. Each lecture that I have watched has left me with the feeling of having learned something. 

6. Create an update on 12seconds and broadcast it via twitter 

12seconds is a video microblogging site. It allows users to post a 12 second clip that answers the question "What are you doing right now?". This is just a fun and interactive way to blog and keep a record of your day to day life. 

7. Listen to a soothing Pandora radio station while your advising (I throughly enjoy the Spa station)... Take it a step further by using the BalanceBall Chair as your primary seating utensil

No comment needed. This is an exact description of my office on a daily basis. 

8. Read some student bloopers

The World According to Student Bloopers

Student Bloopers-History of the World

The Chronicle's Student Bloopers

9. Interact on the NACADA Facebook Page (Also a great networking tool!)

A welcoming environment to get started using Facebook while connecting with your collegues. 

10. Do a search for yourself on Ratemyprofessors.com ; I did a search for "academic advisor" on the site and it revealed a plethora of results- some faculty advisors and some professional advisors. 

Twitter for Professional Development

Every one of us knows that since the economy is tight so are our travel budgets for professional development. Twitter (and blogs of course!) provides us with great networking and resource sharing opportunities without ever leaving the comfort of our offices (although I would love to go back to Clearwater, FL). 

One of the first steps to get started with Twitter for professional development is to find knowledgable people in the field (in our case advisors) who will provide, via their "tweets", valuable information about how we can make our own programs better, what works and what doesn't, and perhaps even offer some valuable cameraderie. 

Some of the people I've been following on Twitter include:

ReaFacetoFace :  Academic advisor; Calgary. 

Bismark State College: Advising Office; North Dakota

The Chronicle: Get Chronicle news snippets via Twitter

super_trouper: Advising Administrator; Penn State

Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter. Whenever I post a new link to the blog, a tweet is also sent out so that you can be notified in real-time. It's also a fantastic way to dialogue with me about something you've seen on the blog. 

You can see a great example of a Twitter group via our NACADA Tech Seminar website;this log of "tweets" now serves as a conference record and allows users to continue adding to the conversation when they return to their institutions. Another good way to use Twitter is described in an article posted in The Chronicle of Higher Education; whenever you get a good tip or find something useful just send it to twitter. It helps you remember it later on and also shares the tip with the community that's following you. 

According to recent literature, Twitter can also help those of us who are a little shy but still have something to contribute to the conversation. It is much easier to send out a twitter message than it is to raise our hand in the middle of a crowded room to voice an opinion. On the flip side, Twitter is not a private application but rather spews out whatever we tweet to everyone who is "following" us. There is the potential for information to leak into the wrong hands if the application is not used correctly. 

54 Essential People, Sites, or Posts in Academic Advising

Here it is folks...this is a listing of everything (+ more) that I have bookmarked regarding advising. I am hoping to increase the resources with your help so feel free to comment with the tools that you are using. I have also included a few people on the list that I believe are worth watching over the next few years. Enjoy!

1. NACADA
2. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal
3. Critical Issues in Advising
4. Eric Stollers Higher Education Blog Posts
5. Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education
6. Are Advisors Risking Lawsuits by Misadvising Students?
7. NACADA National Conference 2008 Handouts and Powerpoints
8. National Career Development Association
9. Safeguarding Your Student's Against Suicide
10. When Students Get Bad News: Understanding the Grieving Process
11. LinkedIn: NACADA Group
12. University at Buffalo Student Advising Services Bookmarks for Career/Major Exploration
13. Perry's Scheme of Intellectual and Ethical Development
14. Learning Styles Online
15. Learning Styles Questionnaire
16. Karen Thurmond-Technology in Advising Guru
17. University at Buffalo Be Advised Newsletter- Good example of blog use in advising
18. How to Achieve Anything- Great post to use with students who are struggling
19. 10 Online Learning Tools for Students- I have shared many of these and gotten great feedback
20. Advising Positions via Higheredjobs.org
21. Safety Issues to Consider While Advising
22. Academic Advising Quotations- Love this resource!
23. NACADA Technology in Advising Commission
24. University at Buffalo-Student Advising Services Facebook Page
25. A New Model for Advising
26. The Chronicle of Higher Education
27. Inside Higher Ed
28. Vyew Live Web Conference Interface
29. Laura Pasquini
30. Privacy Settings on Facebook- Required reading for advisors who are using it
31. Connectivism: A Theory of Learning for the Digital Age
32. Using Blogs to Promote Authentic Learning
33. Charlie Nutt- NACADA Executive Director
34. Appreciative Advising Resource
35. Academic Advising Handbook (Wiki)-University of Memphis
36. Information on StrengthsQuest
37. Academic Advising Today
38. Casey Self- President of NACADA
39. Student's in Financial Crisis- How Academic Advisors Can Help
40. Reaching the Masses: E-Newsletters and Facebook in Advising
41. Horizon Report (2009 Edition)
42. Wired Campus Blog- Chronicle of Higher Education
43. The Journal- Technology in Education
44. EDUCAUSE- Information Technology in Higher Education
45. University of Toronto ACE Explorer
46. Example of Undergraduate Advising Handbook
47. Assignment Calculators- Help students with time management issues
48. Myers-Briggs Online Typology Test- Simplified version 
49. Technology and Advising Ning Group
50. What Can I Do With a Major In?- Most comprehensive resource I have seen like this
51. Virginia Tech Study Skills Compilation
52. Top 10 Questions to Ask an Advisee During Your First Meeting
53. Handbook on Student Development
54. Student Services-A Handbook for the Profession- Academic Advising

What have I missed? Please share with me in the comments.