Advising ApproachesAdvising ApproachesWithin the Millennial Within the Millennial

MindsetMindset

September 4, 2015Fort Lauderdale, FL

Laura Starr

Matriculation InformationMatriculation Information

Student Data:

Data Analysis and Student Data Analysis and Student ChallengesChallenges

• 100% Matriculation • Almost 50/50 M/F ratio• Nearly 1/3 split Catholic, Lutheran, and

Christian• 3 of 50 students out of state• 62% of the students are first generation

Concerning Trends in DataConcerning Trends in Data

• 40% of students were undeclared at some point• 72% of student changed their major four times

• 14% of students ended with a major they had previously declared

Cultural Challenges Cultural Challenges Facing MillennialsFacing Millennials

Student Affairs Approaches on How to Overcome Them

Trophy CultureTrophy Culture• 1980s the State of California self-esteem task force.

Idea: Illusion of success will foster future success• “By creating the illusion of success for children…the

self-esteem movement has failed to teach them how to actually succeed.” (HBO, 2015)

• “The percentage of college students who think they are above average…has gone way up, when actual performance is unchanged or down.” (HBO, 2015)

• Challenge: Steer students toward realistic effort/reward expectations

• Solution: Use reflective and reframing techniques

Swipe Left CultureSwipe Left Culture• Social media fosters instant gratification issues• Tinder, (1 sec. decision), Instagram (5 sec. “like”),

Vine (8 sec. max)• “Because many things have come easily to

millennials, they aren’t always willing to pay their dues. Some employers worry...that they are willing to cut corners and even cheat in school to get what they want now.” (Alsop, 2011-2012)

• Challenge: Translate “right now” mentality to long-term career goals

• Solution: Hybrid Appreciative-Proactive advising theory, employing prevention, “open-ended” questioning, and a collaborative-relationship approach

Helicopter ParentsHelicopter Parents• Parental over involvement creates a learned helplessness• “Micro-managing their child’s school and social lives — can negatively affects students’ well-being by violating their need to feel both autonomous and competent.” (Nauert, 2015)• “We don’t know how to fail. And even when we do fail, we’re pretty sure we actually won.” (Agnon, 2015)• Challenge: Lack of experience in overcoming personal obstacles can hinder excellence achievement more and can even cause clinical mental illness• Solution: Cross-departmental collaboration toward whole student approach

Academic Advising theories Academic Advising theories toward Student challengestoward Student challenges

Sanford’s Challenge & Support Theory

Appreciative and Proactive Theory

Challenge & Support TheoryChallenge & Support Theory

• Nevitt Sanford, PsyD, “believed that for growth and personal development to occur, a student needs to have a challenge/support balance.” (Boehman, 2011)

• “Too much support (A), and the student will [not] learn what they need to grow and develop…(B) too much challenge, and the student will become frustrated and possibly quit trying.” (Boehman, 2011)

• Challenge: Hands-on assistance in the completion of student matriculation responsibilities, while keeping a students autonomy intact

• Solution: Lead with a fail/support approach.

Use of Hybrid Appreciative and Use of Hybrid Appreciative and Proactive TheoryProactive Theory

• Model creates comprehensive advising relationship

• Main areas of student life “Dream”: place marker for goal setting “Disarm”: place marker for challenges “Deliver”: place marker for fortitude development • Hands-on approach creates trust and student buy-

in

The Bridge to Personal The Bridge to Personal Development & Successful Development & Successful

MatriculationMatriculation

Student Advising in Creating Student Awareness

Intervention AreasIntervention Areas

• Competitive Job Market Preparation (Anti-Blue Ribbon Goal Setting)

• Reframing Educational Purpose (bridge to personal and professional growth and not a means to an end; alternative to the social- media selfie mentality)

• Ensure Graduation (Strive to alert of life choices both academically and personally that may delay or prevent graduation)

InitiativeInitiative

Research Study: The Career Development Needs of Transfer

Students

-Barry University

Career-Development Needs of Career-Development Needs of Transfer StudentsTransfer Students

• Research study inspired by personal experiences

• Intervention methods to create career awareness

• Shift focus from grades to real-world professions

• Conclusion: a suggested one-credit internship• Second year intervention would be most

beneficial

Questions?Questions?

Thank You

ReferencesReferences• HBO (HBO Films). (2015). Real Sports Ep 220: Trophy Nation,. [Documentary].

Retrieved from http://play.hbogo.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GVa_Nsga1u4-6w_oIAAAS?camp=GoS7&reentered=true

• Alsop, R. J. (2011-2012, Winter). Gotta Have It Now, Right Now. Notre Dame Magazine,. Retrieved from http://magazine.nd.edu/news/27926-gotta-have-it-now-right-now

• Nauert PhD, R. (2013, Feb 13). ‘Helicopter Parenting’ Can Undermine Students’ Self-Image. Psych Central,. Retrieved on May 3, 2016, Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/02/13/helicopter-parenting-can-undermine-students-self-image/51550.html

• Angone, P. (2015, May 14). 5 Shocking Statistics About the Challenges Facing the Millennial Generation (and how we overcome). All Groan Up. Your Guide Through What Now,. [Type of blog post]. Retrieved from http://allgroanup.com/twentysomething-life-2/5-shocking-statistics-about-the-challenges-facing-the-millennial-generation-and-how-we-overcome/

• Boehman, Ed.D, J. (2011, April 28) Sanfords Challenge and Support Theory. Imjoeboe live authentically, live intentionall, live passionately. [Type of blog post] Retrieved from https://imjoeboe.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/challenge-support/