Career Change Chronicle Vol. 3: Finding my path.

Facebook reminded me recently that I had announced leaving my role as the Director of Student Orientation & Family Engagement to head to Advancement. I never imagined that less than a year later I’d be reading that post in Oxford, Ohio as an Assistant Dean in Student Life. BUT here we are. So let’s talk. I loved my adventure in Advancement and gained skills that will help me tremendously as I progress in my professional career. I also learned a lot about myself. I learned about the need to be patient, the ability to thrive in various systems, and that I care deeply about higher education and students.

The biggest change from Student Affairs to Advancement for me was the change in focus. I was no longer managing programs, staff, or developing policies. I was focused almost exclusively on building relationships, which a strength developed in Student Affairs that helped me thrive. These relationships led to understanding what motivates individuals, what they want to achieve with their philanthropic giving, and have some powerful impact. I had a great boss, amazing colleagues, and leadership who I respected. That's all a win, but in the end I always found myself looking back towards student affairs. My mom used to share that you sometimes have to lose your way to find where you were meant to be. I always loved students affairs, but I had ended a long term relationship, had spent almost three years leading a team through times of challenge and change, and had been in Atlanta for seven years. I needed a change and Advancement gave me a place to try something new. I'll continue to use these skills as I grow in Student Affairs, but getting lost helped me affirm that supporting the student experience was the right path.

That affirmation led me to begin an intentional search where it was not about the first step that made itself available, but the right step. A place I could go and lay a foundation for the next steps in my career. A place to finish my dissertation. A place to focus on my health. Basically, a place to start a new chapter in this incredible career I have. I got to connect with wonderful colleagues at various institutions in this process, but in the end Miami University and a role as an Assistant Dean became that place. There is something special about this place with the connection to my mom and with serving in this new role at the place my career in student affairs began.

The adventures ahead are unknown, but I am sure it will be a great ride. Here's to all of us trying to figure out what is right for us. If I learned one thing that I can leave you with, it is this: find the role that feeds your soul, the place where you can grow, and never be afraid to take that risk.

Until next time,

Ben

Benjamin M. Williams is currently the Assistant Dean of Students at Miami University.?He is originally from Atlanta, GA. He graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Sociology, a M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and is currently a doctoral student in Educational Policy Studies at Georgia State. Outside of his position he enjoys volunteering for professional associations, fundraising for higher education causes, and spending time exploring concepts related to social justice, student development, and organizational structures. Personally he spends time working on personal health, work life integration, and exploring this wonderful world of ours with his dog Duke