Listening and comprehending information are important skills needed to be a successful student affairs professional. In LEAD 7500,  Adult Learning & Leadership, I was tasked to practice these skills through an assignment titled, Interview of an Adult Learner. This assignment provided a platform for the subject to reflect on previous learning experiences during the course of their childhood and adult life. Throughout the duration of the interview, I effectively listened to their responses. I took notes and recorded the interview so that I did not miss attending to all information presented. In turn, I was able to show my comprehension to the information I received by analyzing and connecting the subject’s understandings to various theory and learning styles adult learners experience.

As the Graduate Assistant in the office of Career Services, one of my responsibilities is to provide feedback to students and alumni for resumes and cover letters that are submitted for review.  During this process, I must confidently provide constructive criticism to students with hopes that they will make the proper corrections to improve their document.

Each month, the U of M sends out E-Newsletters to students and their parents. At the start of the spring semester, I was tasked by my supervisor to effectively write the newsletter to represent the office of Career Services. Our topic of focus for the month of February placed emphasis on how to effectively work a career fair. I tailored the information to meet the needs of students and parents by successfully providing each audience with a guide to achieve career fair success. 

HIAD 7410, Overview of Higher Education, was one of the first courses I was enrolled in as a master’s student and also the first online course I have taken. During the course, I was tasked to collaborate with two of my peers on an assignment. To effectively complete the assignment, I had to communicate with my peers through technology. We exchanged e-mails, text messages and phone calls. Through successful communication we were able to produce a PowerPoint presentation to lead our classmates in online discussion.