Assessment Study
From Hall Director to Professional by Kara Gensamer, Nicole Ponticorvo, and Abby Stern (submitted for publication)
Abstract
This qualitative study examines the responses of new student affairs professionals as they reflect upon their experiences as graduate hall directors. The researchers employed semi-structured interviews in order to ascertain what skills the participants believed they did or did not obtain from their graduate assistantships. Among these skills were work/life balance; time management; supervision; advising; conflict and crisis management; cultural competence; assessment, evaluation, and research; organizational politics; budgeting; and technological skills. The skills that the participants identified are grouped into three categories: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Professional. Based on the findings, the authors provide suggestions for graduate students, their supervisors, and student affairs graduate programs to increase the transferable skills that students develop.