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Master’s Synthesis PaperLauren E. MeyerFlorida State UniversityMaster’s Synthesis PaperThe past two years of my graduate career have been full of extremely rich experiences. From casual interactions with friends or colleagues to classroom discussions to assistantship and internship experiences, I have absorbed so much new information. The following paper will outline the ways I have grown, changed, and become a better professional and person. Connecting Theory to PracticeIn the true spirit of the “theory-to-practice” model, I will begin by discussing the theoretical and knowledge underpinnings of my graduate career. The Florida State University Higher Education Administration program has provided ample opportunities to learn new theory, as well as discuss and apply it. In my Student Development Theory course during spring 2012, I learned about many different student development theories ranging from the work of Perry to Baxter Magolda to Schlossberg. The class required a personal development paper, in which students were asked to apply student development theory to personal development. In my work, I chose to focus on Arthur Chickering’s Seven Vectors of Identity Development and Baxter Magolda’s Theory of Self-Authorship to explain my own growth and development through my undergraduate experience. This assignment helped me to both better understand my own development and apply student development theory in a practical manner. While some theories were easier to understand and apply than others, almost all of them have subsequently informed my work with students. After taking the course, I was able to apply Schlossberg’s Transition Theory to my work with returning study abroad students by designing new programming opportunities, as well as utilizing theories of cognitive development to frame my work with students in one-on-one advising relationships. Additionally, I took the Legal Aspects of Higher Education course offered by Dr. Joseph Beckham in fall 2011 and have benefitted tremendously from this knowledge. Since I took this course in the first semester of my graduate career, it has provided a great foundation for my other courses, internships, and assistantships. For example, knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was very helpful when I interned with Orientation programs the following summer. I could easily explain to parents what FERPA meant, how it applied to their student, and the implications of their student signing a FERPA waiver. As a result of taking this course, I also have learned how to research legal topics, as well as where to find pertinent information. Furthermore, my spring 2012 Diversity in Higher Education course helped provide a framework for working with a variety of students and professionals. In particular, this class helped me to develop a vocabulary surrounding diverse issues and helped me understand how to discuss intersections of identity. While taking this course, I was simultaneously interning at the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), which works primarily with underrepresented populations and first generation students at Florida State. Since I am neither a first generation student nor belong to a racial or ethnic minority group, I was the “other” in many situations during this internship. This experience complemented what I was learning in Diversity, enriched my overall knowledge of the topic, and helped me better empathize with various groups of students.The above experiences are only a sampling of what I have learned since beginning this graduate program. As I encounter new situations and interactions, I am certain that the knowledge I have gained through my academic courses will help me to respond and react appropriately. Supplementary ExperiencesAs I have progressed through my graduate studies, I have had abundant opportunities to participate in new experiences. I have had chances to interact with and shadow some tremendous professionals, as well as volunteer with many different campus programs. Additionally, I have completed three internships over four semesters, and have held two different assistantships. Each of these experiences has taught me new skills and abilities, as well as helped me to become more self-aware. One of the most important skills I have learned throughout the past two years has been advising students. Through a variety of experiences, I have had the opportunity to watch professionals advise students, as well as to advise them myself. I have learned techniques for active listening and counseling, as well as for advising groups. Additionally, I have learned the importance of building trust in advising relationships, which takes time and intentionality. This skill development has been one of the most important components of my graduate experience, as I find it critical to my work within this profession. Additionally, I have learned much about how to supervise effectively and to be an effective supervisee. In many of my aforementioned internships and assistantships, I have had the chance to participate in supervisor/supervisee relationships with both students and staff, and have learned from both positive and negative experiences. Above all, I believe the two most important components of these relationships are trust and communication. When in a supervisory position, it is critical to establish these components for an effective relationship. From a supervisee perspective, it is important to learn as much about the position, supervisor, and office culture as possible, as well as communicate in an effective method to your supervisor and colleagues. Additionally, I have learned that finding a good “fit” with a supervisor and institution is key to longevity in a position; therefore, it is an important consideration when considering employment options. Furthermore, I have learned how to coordinate and plan major programs. Initially, the idea of running large-scale programming efforts was intimidating; however, after several experiences with such events, I feel much more comfortable in this area. I have learned which questions to ask when in the planning stages, how to lead event planning meetings, ways to work effectively with campus partners, how to set up and take down an event, and more. While I do not consider myself an expert in event planning, I have had opportunities to work with some very large scale, high budget events, and have gained confidence and valuable skills through these experiences. Personal Change and GrowthThe past two years have been full of a variety of new experiences and challenges, creating a semi-constant state of change and growth. Each semester has included a new internship, assistantship, or courses, and I have accrued a variety of new knowledge through each of these experiences.One of the most major and noticeable ways I have changed since beginning my graduate education has been to develop as an adult. Other than studying abroad as an undergraduate student, this is the furthest I have lived away from my family. This distance from family and friends has helped me learn to be more independent, as well as more resourceful. I have learned ways to develop a sense of community within a new culture and truly believe that this skill will help me as I prepare to move again after graduation. I feel very capable of moving, yet again, and settling in a new city. Additionally, I feel much more self-aware since beginning this Master’s program. Because different internships, assistantships, and classes have challenged me in various ways, I know more about my strengths and weaknesses, as well as my work style and personality. I also know more about my likes and dislikes and have become more comfortable with myself. Each experience during the past two years has revealed something different about myself, as well as my cohort-mates, and I have learned to employ more self-compassion and empathy on a daily basis. Entering the ProfessionOverall, I feel that this program has prepared me extremely well for my first professional position within Student Affairs. Since I have had a variety of in- and out-of-class experiences, have been exposed to a wide array of functional areas, and have developed meaningful relationships with Student Affairs professionals, I have come into the profession with a fantastic knowledge base. I feel particularly prepared in the area of advising students because of experiences I have had advising students in different settings. In many of my internships, I have observed professionals advise students on academic, organizational, and other matters, and have learned from the methods and techniques they used. Additionally, I have been able to directly advise students and have received feedback about this process. Furthermore, I have learned that advising is about building trust and using active listening skills, which I feel confident I can do with almost any group of students. I also feel prepared to transition into a new office environment and a new city. Through moving to Tallahassee to begin my graduate career and also moving to Chicago to do a three-month summer internship, I have learned how to relocate, adapt, and make the best of new situations. I look forward to implementing transition skills I have learned through both of these moves, as well as through theoretical frameworks by authors like Nancy Schlossberg and William Bridges. As I progress into my first professional position, I also have several areas for growth. One area in which I would like to deepen my knowledge is with group advising. While I feel comfortable advising student leaders and organizations, I would like to know more about the theoretical framework behind group advising. I have learned very basic tenets of this topic area in my Intentional Interventions course, but I would like to explore the concept further, specifically because I would like to work with student groups professionally. ConclusionMy graduate career has been a very robust experience and has helped me learn not only about Student Affairs as a profession, but also myself as a person and professional. I look forward to continued growth in my first full time Student Affairs position, as I seek to implement all I have learned. ................
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