The values that I hold in high regard are reflective of my own experiences and

personal growth within student affairs. I believe that this profession has the
power to transform students into well-rounded leaders and educated citizens.
Although there is a significant importance placed on academics; being given
the opportunity to be challenged, grow through self-reflection, and be
passionate about your work and surroundings are what I find so valuable in
the profession of Higher Education.
I find these values to be so important to me because they are what excelled
me to becoming a better leader, eventually leading me into a profession that
I am highly passionate about.
Upon entering college I was not invested in the idea of higher education, not
taking advantage of my surroundings or opportunities provided to me. This in
turn affected my academics in a negative way, it wasnt until I was forced
to get involved with Student Government and interact with the various
student affairs mentors that eventually started to guide me into the direction
and path I am on now that things started to turn around.
When I become involved in other areas in student affairs I was being
challenged daily on how to make the right decisions. I joined a local sorority,
which forced me to think or new solutions to problems that only we were
facing without the support of a national headquarters. This is also where the
concept of growth through self-reflection started to arise. I was making
mistakes and learning from them, only to make our chapter stronger than
when I had started. When I think about my own experiences and how they
shaped me, I want to emulate that through my professional approach. Not
every student will be put into challenging situations daily, or be forced to take
a step back and self reflect on what the decisions or actions they have been
making. I feel that it is my job to provide them with these opportunities
through symbolic leadership. The concept of symbolic leadership is one
where communication happens on many levels, including the actions of the
leader. The actions that I put forth on a daily basis reflect my values, and will
be communicated to and interpreted by those around me. Challenging
students will not only come about through intentionally creating situations
where a student can be challenged, but through being self-aware of my own
daily challenges. Additionally, constant self-reflection and the growth that
comes from that will become evident to those around me.
Lastly, being passionate about what your work and surroundings is the most
important belief that I have. In order to be successful in what you do, there
must be some passion. I have been in roles where I was being challenged,
and growing as person and professional but my heart was not in it. My
passion lies within a creative field and the privilege to be surrounded by the
encouragement of artistic expression. An environment that I am choosing to
go into is an admissions role within a fashion or art school. This setting is one
where I can fulfill all of my values, including what I am passionate about.
References:

Kezar, A. J., Carducci, R., and Contreras-McGavin, M. (2006) Rethinking the L

word
in higher education: The revolution of research on leadership ASHE
Higher
Education Report. vol. 31, no. 6. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/Wiley