Bridgette Behling
Social Work major, Psychology minor, May 1999
Master of Education, emphasis in College Student Personnel, May 2006
Director of Student Involvement, George Washington University
Contact Bridgette Behling at
bbehling@gmail.com
Since your graduation from MU, what has been your career path?
My first job after completing my undergraduate degree was for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) as the Manager of Volunteer Services. In this role, I was responsible for the selection, training, and placement of volunteers for ARCW in three southeast region offices. I also worked on a number of development events, including AIDS Walk Wisconsin for which I was responsible for recruiting walkers and raising money for services and research for people living with AIDS.
Knowing that my passion lie in working with college students, I returned to Marquette to work full time as an Event Coordinator in the Event Management Office of the Alumni Memorial Union (AMU) where I was employed for over four years. This position allowed me the opportunity to utilize event planning skills gained from my previous position while working with University departments and student organizations on events they planned in the AMU. While working full time, I also attended graduate school full time in Marquette’s School of Education. Working in a college setting while pursuing my master’s degree allowed me great opportunities to shadow Student Affairs staff at Marquette, serve on student-centered committees, serve on the executive board of the College Student Personnel Association, plan events for graduate students in my program, and gain experience advising student organizations.
All of these experiences lead me to my current position as the Director of Student Involvement in the Student Activities Center at the George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C. In this position, it is my responsibility to help students find their place at GW by connecting them to opportunities to get involved outside the classroom. More specifically, I do this by overseeing the registration of and resources for 320 student organizations and the training of their advisors, as well as the planning of University-wide events such as Welcome Week, Welcome Back Week, Grad Week, Midnight Breakfast and the Excellence in Student Life Awards. My position also leads the committee that runs GW’s low ropes course and trains the course facilitators, as well as oversees the committee of staff who plan three different pre-semester orientation programs for incoming freshmen. Additionally, I lead a team of three full time staff, three graduate students and fifteen undergraduates who collectively provide students opportunities to engage in programming happening throughout D.C., alcohol and drug free programming on campus as well as outdoor adventure programming.
Describe your typical workday.
One of the best things about working in Student Activities is that there is no typical workday! From meeting with students to discuss plans for their events, to negotiating a contract, to writing student organization policies with Risk Management staff, to planning the sequence of activities for a group at the low ropes course, to creative problem-solving with staff, to partnering with Housing Programs and the Multicultural Center to plan the Excellence in Student Life awards, my days are filled with continuous student and staff interaction! I typically work 9am-6pm Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours.
What is the best or most exciting part of your profession?
There truly never is a dull moment working in Student Activities! In addition to that excitement, I gain the most fulfillment from working with college students as they navigate college life and their own personal development! The most fulfilling moments come when a student trusts you to discuss something personal they are struggling with, or when you realize a student is positively impacted by a conversation or interaction they had with you.
What advice would you provide for a job seeker in your field?
Be proactive about seeking opportunities to gain experience in the field. The pace in Student Activities is quite busy and it is rare that those of us working in it do not need extra assistance. Seek internships (though they may not always be paid), or interview a staff member in the field to find out ideas they have for committees you can be a part of, or other ways to gain experience. Additionally, it is important to complete a master’s degree in Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, or something similar. Most full time positions in Student Affairs require this degree.
What are essential skills one must possess for success in your field?
Essential Attributes: ability to laugh at oneself!, patience, enthusiasm, a genuine passion for working with college students, flexibility, creativity, solution-driven thinking, professionalism, outstanding customer service…
Essential Skills: Well-developed program planning skills, high-level organizational skills, ability to handle difficult conversations in a diplomatic and professional manner, ability to hold others accountable, the ability to juggle and make progress on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, creative problem-solving, ability to work side by side with every type of individual, from the easiest going student to the high level Administrator and understand their differing needs….
What can a current Marquette student do to effectively prepare for a career in your field?
Get involved in leadership opportunities at Marquette! From leading a student organization, to being a Resident Assistant, to working on Orientation staff, to being a student manager in the Alumni Memorial Union, there are many ways to gain skills that will effectively prepare one to work in Student Activities!
Choose the right graduate program for you! Start researching graduate programs early. There are many schools that have new programs now in the field and those programs offer different experiences than some of the more well-established graduate programs in Student Affairs. Additionally, choose a school that has values that align with yours and is located in a city in which you will be happy for at least two years. Researching programs early will allow you to choose the program that is the best fit for you.
Find a mentor who works in Student Affairs who has time to meet with you to discuss your interest in the field and to whom you feel comfortable asking questions you have about how to shape your own career path.
Conduct a self evaluation of the essential attributes and skills mentioned in number 6 and seek opportunities to grow in the areas in which you may still need development.
Begin familiarizing oneself with professional organizations in the field such as ACPA (American College Personnel Association), NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators), NODA (National Orientation Directors Association) and NACA (National Association of Campus Activities).
How does one find a summer job or internship in your field, and are there any other opportunities to gain experience before graduation?
Get as involved as possible as an undergraduate with the Office of Student Development or Student Activities Center or similar type offices. Some professional organizations offer summer internships for graduate students or students who have completed their undergraduate degree and are starting a master’s degree in the fall (such as the National Orientation Directors Association). Contact staff in Student Activities offices and ask if they need summer interns!
