peer advising
Productively Mentor // Identify Potential in Others // Understand One's Audience
As an out-of-state student, I had to research and learn about the University of Washington’s academic and campus life policies by myself. The process was tedious but I learned a lot about the campus and was able to use this information to help my residents plan and navigate their college careers when I was a Resident Adviser. I enjoyed doing this and became a Peer Adviser to further pursue this focused counseling. I wanted to be part of a process that educated and empowered students to make their own decisions.
Delivering Difficult News
As a Peer Adviser, I learned how to deliver facts while staying humane and personal. Many of my appointments are spent talking with students who are on academic probation or whose academic pathway aspirations do not line up with their performance so far. At first, I found it difficult to bring these realities to them when it was our first time meeting. We had no comfortable base to work off of or level of trust soundly established. Within the first five minutes, I am sometimes letting a student know that they cannot get into their desired major with the grades they have at the moment. There is nothing I can do to change that, but I become the bearer of bad news. Our job is to also then make alternative plans with the students. This includes ways they can work themselves off academic probation and different major pathways they can pursue to reach their intended career goal.
As a Peer Adviser, I learned how to deliver facts while staying humane and personal. Many of my appointments are spent talking with students who are on academic probation or whose academic pathway aspirations do not line up with their performance so far. At first, I found it difficult to bring these realities to them when it was our first time meeting. We had no comfortable base to work off of or level of trust soundly established. Within the first five minutes, I am sometimes letting a student know that they cannot get into their desired major with the grades they have at the moment. There is nothing I can do to change that, but I become the bearer of bad news. Our job is to also then make alternative plans with the students. This includes ways they can work themselves off academic probation and different major pathways they can pursue to reach their intended career goal.
Creating Alternative Action Plans
I met with a student who was really interested in neurobiology and wanted to pursue a career in the field. This major is very competitive at the University of Washington and her academic performance did not put her on a competitive level for acceptance. Though I encouraged her to apply to the major, I still had to inform her on her prospects and the chance that she may not get into the department. This was very hard on her, especially because like many students she did not realize that acceptance into majors was as challenging as getting into the University itself. I sensed her hopes falling and made the quick decision to turn the conversation around. I talked to her about why she was interested in neuro-biology and from that information went through different opportunities she could pursue to still engage in her passion. This included doing research work in the field, which would give her valuable and applicable skills, as well as taking neuro-biology related classes through the Biology department. Though it was not her first and ideal choice, she left the office with an action plan and a sense of “what to do next”.
I met with a student who was really interested in neurobiology and wanted to pursue a career in the field. This major is very competitive at the University of Washington and her academic performance did not put her on a competitive level for acceptance. Though I encouraged her to apply to the major, I still had to inform her on her prospects and the chance that she may not get into the department. This was very hard on her, especially because like many students she did not realize that acceptance into majors was as challenging as getting into the University itself. I sensed her hopes falling and made the quick decision to turn the conversation around. I talked to her about why she was interested in neuro-biology and from that information went through different opportunities she could pursue to still engage in her passion. This included doing research work in the field, which would give her valuable and applicable skills, as well as taking neuro-biology related classes through the Biology department. Though it was not her first and ideal choice, she left the office with an action plan and a sense of “what to do next”.
Pre Professional Skill Development
Academic advising is very similar to the concept of genetic counseling, a career I am currently pursuing. We serve as a bridge of information and support. The job takes a great deal of active listening and patience. Many times people know what they need to do or the reality of their situation; they just need someone to listen to them and fill in the rest of the puzzle with special information. There are many times when a student initially comes to me with an academic issue and later reveals larger more personal dilemmas. Though I am not fully equipped to handle all of these cases, I become their first stepping stone for in-depth help.
This job has put into perspective how interconnected our lives are and how big a difference it makes when we pay attention to our human need for attention, genuine care, and positive energy.
Academic advising is very similar to the concept of genetic counseling, a career I am currently pursuing. We serve as a bridge of information and support. The job takes a great deal of active listening and patience. Many times people know what they need to do or the reality of their situation; they just need someone to listen to them and fill in the rest of the puzzle with special information. There are many times when a student initially comes to me with an academic issue and later reveals larger more personal dilemmas. Though I am not fully equipped to handle all of these cases, I become their first stepping stone for in-depth help.
This job has put into perspective how interconnected our lives are and how big a difference it makes when we pay attention to our human need for attention, genuine care, and positive energy.