My Perfect First Job
Since 2016, I have worked in international higher education. Out of grad school, I started off at a small university in Savannah, GA as an International Student Services Program Coordinator. My title was so long, but it said exactly what I did. I coordinated cultural programs and assisted with services for our F-1 students.
Those first two years were magic. I learned so much and loved my small campus, building strong connections with my almost-200 international students. I built a mentoring program and a summer storage program; increased participation at our international festivals; created and collaborated on other cultural education programs for students, faculty, and staff; recruited students in Brazil; and became the primary F-1 advisor in our tiny office of four.
So Many Changes
My small university was consolidated under a much, much larger one and I got the chance to experience new ways of advising, and entirely different aspects of university culture. Our merge from two international offices into one was led by the best person for the job who showed so much patience and grace, and demonstrated the type of leadership I needed to get through the ups and downs.
I was the point person for transitioning our F-1 immigration management software from a popular, yet outdated one, to a newer, yet confusing one. Our international student population tripled to about 600 (including OPT students) and after some time I adjusted to my new caseload.
Although we meshed so well, the decision was made to split our office into two separate units, an F-1 advising office and a separate study abroad office. More ups and downs ensued, though I adjusted. COVID-19 made my time as the senior advisor…interesting.
Despite my love for the international student org that I advised, and the programs I felt like had become a part of who I was, after two years I had to admit that I had outgrown my position. It was time to move onward and upward!
Moving Up
In 2021, I accepted a position at the assistant director level at a much large university as the Systems Coordinator. The university had the same record management software as my previous one and I was hired to build it out. I started during the summer extended orientation and got to know my colleagues very well, though, unfortunately not the students.
Our office advised approximately 3,000-4,000 international students (including OPT) at any given time. While I recognized some faces, I really didn’t work much with students or get to know them personally. Between that and mostly working with data most of the time, I wasn’t feeling great about my impact. I got into international education to talk to students, get to know about their cultures, help them adjust to the U.S.
I checked the job postings in my inbox every Sunday and one day only about 7 months after I started, I saw one for what appeared to be a dream job in a dream location. I applied knowing that I would never get the job because it was a nice institution and I was just me. After I got a first informal interview, I was invited for an on-campus interview. I know how hiring works: Bosses have to show that they interviewed X number of candidates when they know all along who they really want to hire.
I went to the interview because it would just be dumb to say no. I wasn’t going to get the job, but I wasn’t going to say not to a trip to a new place. You’ll never guess what happened: I threw up. And I still got the job! I felt guilty as all hell leaving the job that I’d only had for one year (literally, I left 5 days until the one year mark). But whenever life throws me an amazing opportunity, I usually take it.
The Dream Job
Here I am now, half a year into my role as Assistant Director. I’m happy to be back at a small institution with about 200 F-1 students. I know many of their names and faces, I know what they’re doing over winter break, and what they’re planning to declare majors in.
I’ve taken my knowledge of F-1 regs and general advising and jumped right in: writing policies, helping students understand the nuances of CPT, coordinating international orientation, and much more. I still feel kind of new, and I’m still finding my footing in my role as AD, but I know that I’ve learned a ton about advising international students and higher ed in general.
I’m immensely thankful to the colleagues who trained me and became friends; I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned, even from failures.
That’s why I’m starting this blog: to share my experiences, insights, tips and tricks for anyone else in I/HIED (International and/or Higher Education) who’s interested. I hope this helps you in your professional journey, or at least entertains you! (:
Thanks for stopping by,
Sara