So tonight I had a brief but insightful conversation with our VP of Student Affairs. I began to tell her all the major things I was juggling- not my 'to-do' list of tasky items to complete this week/month/semester, no the big things that some how I was responsible for completing not only for the Department, Division but the University! Who died and gave me this responsibility (trust me- we get the weekly obituaries of our university community). Our VP asked me how I was delegating some of these tasks to help ease my plate, I was about to say 'um. I'm not really delegating'- As I mentioned in the beginning my conversation was brief so of course I couldn't answer her question; she was on to someone else in the room.
Fast forward to my drive home and to this inaugural blog. On the drive home I thought- I know the answer to that question! I'm 7 years into this profession, I'm not entry-level; I'm officially mid-manager. Some of my peers have become full managers- department heads; Assistant Deans of Students; Deans of Students; VPs themselves! But alas I am a mid-manager at a large-research institution, which comes to my answer had I thought of this the moment the she (the VP- yes I have given away the gender) asked. I would have responded- I'm in this amazing spot in life. I am a mid-manager, the perfect balance of doer and delegator. I'm on the side of the entry-level position, the doer, the one with the front-line interactions with students and the 1:1 conversations that can have sometime a small but amazing experience on their lives. Sometimes those 1:1 conversations can be a major impact that will forever change their lives. Then on the 'heads' side of the coin of this mid-manager is the delegator, balancing the 'big picture' and mission of the institutions with the duties carried out, promised by the institution. (I'm not digressing, I'm getting philosophical).
At times I have had one too many glasses of wine at the end of the day being in this role, frustrated by not being able to do more, but then okay with not quite having the responsibility that a truly upper-level may have. I think I have finally found my calling; one that I hope to promise to continue- maybe I can provide insight to new and old professionals through blogs and twitter the things they are thinking or wish they could say. Maybe I can voice things others are thinking who are too timid or prideful to admit. Maybe I can offer an afterthought for student affairs professionals. (editorial note: I searched for the blog site: AfterThoughts, that was taken; what do we do better than anyone else? Cutesy acronyms- SAfterThoughts *smile*).
Follow me. Write me. Challenge me. Share with me. Laugh with me- I laugh at myself! But above all thank you for reading.
