Advising and supporting students is a fundamental aspect necessary as a student affairs practitioner. As an aspiring academic advisor, being able to effectively counsel students is a necessity. At my alma mater, the University of West Florida, I often found myself helping other students formulate class schedules and overcome conflict. Due to UWF being a smaller school, I was aware of the primary requirements for graduation for a variety of majors. As a result, I was able to guide many students, especially student-athletes, to create quality schedules that allow time for practice and downtime. Being able to identify students’ personal needs is essential for evolution from the foundational competency of advising and supporting. 

Throughout my college career, and more specifically this master’s program, I was required to work with others. The ability to acknowledge everyone in the group’s strengths and be able to capitalize on them is something I have experienced for over 11 years as a student-athlete as well. Partnering with others is also not always about leadership. The ability to ask individuals that exhibit expertise in a specific skill for help also pertains to this competency. As a Virginia Educational Science Training (VEST) graduate assistant, I was tasked with promoting specific outreach programs. Working with senior administrators and faculty, I was unsure about a lot of the operations of the job and the University of Virginia is a large institution; it was important to my role to identify individuals with expertise that could expedite operations. 

The Advising and Supporting competency is measured by five categories: Conflict and Crisis Situations, Group Dynamics, Interpersonal Skills, Partnering with Others, and Professional Development. Of the five categories Conflict and Crisis, Group Dynamics, and Partnering with Others, I rank myself at intermediate. Professional Development and Interpersonal Skills I would rank foundational.

In my opinion, my level of mastery in this area is intermediate. Although I have worked at an institution in student affairs, my work with classmates, teammates, and course work in undergrad and this master’s program provided me opportunities to grow from a foundational level to an intermediate level.

To move from intermediate to advanced, I need to receive a job in academic advising and promote myself to higher leadership roles in administration. I can work on my foundational skills while completing the final semester of my master’s and the first couple of years in the workforce. I hope to find a place where I can work on the foundational aspects of this competency while gaining the opportunity to lead.