Stay Connected
Survival in the college and university housing field requires being connected with others beyond our own institutions. It was a basic lesson in graduate school, but has become central in my life working in a department of only two professional staff members. I rely on my colleagues and friends at other institutions for shared resources; I also rely on them for support as I navigate unfamiliar waters of being a mid-level professional.
With The Placement Exchange and NASPA conference being only two hours from my campus this month, I had an easy excuse to drive to Chicago and visit with those who came to town. I carved time away from campus to have coffee with my grad school mentor. I spent hours with the student affairs community from Twitter, with whom I’ve only recently connected, but can’t imagine not having in my life. I crossed paths with a beloved faculty member from my graduate program. I visited with friends from GLACUHO. I met James, the voice behind the ACUHO-I Twitter account, who has provided me with a new tool for professional development via this blog.
In coincidental timing, a colleague from my first professional position is coming to visit this weekend. My enthusiasm, which is generally above average, is skyrocketing at this opportunity to reunite with the person I consider my best friend in the field.
I once asked a supervisor how she stays connected with her professional colleagues from her career path. Her answer was simple: She doesn’t. I was shocked. I can’t imagine not having this network for challenging discussion, for providing feedback, for providing raw enthusiasm that keeps me motivated on days when I feel isolated.
For a field that places people and connections at its center, we often neglect to maintain these relationships ourselves. How do you stay connected with colleagues personally and professionally outside of conferences?
I find that facebook and my work in associations are my life line to staying in touch outside of conferences. The more involved I get with a committee or on a board, the more likely I am to stay in touch with those colleagues once our work is complete. I also rely heavily on email and the phone. It took me years to get this point, but now when I have a professional or personal reason, I will pick up the phone and call. More times than not, I leave a message, as my colleagues are as busy as I am, but we then commit to finding a time to catch up. Those phone calls that are sometimes as short as a few minutes always leave me energized and connected.
I also find that participating in the mentoring program at the conferences is another way to stay in touch beyond the conference. The mentoring program gives me a reason to schedule a phone call or send an email to check in. Again, I always feel refreshed and renewed when I speak with others on different campuses. It reminds me that this profession is small and very much like an extended family.
For the first time in my professional career, during the NASPA Annual Conference, I actively tweeted and followed the tweets from other conference participants. I found the experience not annoying or tedious (as I had initially feared it would be). As most assumptions do – that framework turned out to be completely false. Reading what others found to be interesting and salient from various sessions and keynotes/featured speakers enriched my learning experience and caused me to think more deeply about the issues being presented and discussed. This Gen Xer is a convert and hopes to continue to use this powerful tool for upcoming conference and learning experiences!
By the way – I am sending this from my iPhone.
Yeah – so I realize I didn’t answer the question! I think I got too excited about Twitter!
I do think I will use this new-to-me tool to help stay in contact with those colleagues outside of the conference. However, for longer conversations or discussions, I do prefer Facebook, phone conversations and, if possible, individual connections face to face whenever I can. I know this more personal touch seems to work well for more intense and delicate conversations, and it keeps things from clogging up the email inbox!
I couldn’t agree more with the importance of staying connected. Twitter (@chadtweets) is great but with my closest colleagues – in between face to face interactions I make sure that I make the effort to pick up the phone and call.
Perhaps the best tool for connecting with colleagues is getting involved in professional association and committee work. My involvement on the OACUHO board has been invaluable – it has widened and deepened my professional network. I encourage everyone to consider getting involved in ACUHO-I or your regional affiliate!
C
At The Placement Exchange I witnessed so many hallway reunions. There is little question that college housing professionals like to stay connected regardless of where school or career takes them.
The best part of those mini-reunions is that even though colleagues go months and months without seeing each other, the reunions are just like they haven’t been apart. I have come to find that throughout the academic year, and in between “conference season”, I’m in continually contact with my colleagues just seeking input, looking for advice, or sharing a funny story to vent. This on-going communication further builds the relationship and makes the times that you can visit face-to-face that much more fun!
Twitter, absolutely. Follow #sachat to expand your network of professionals as well!