One key thing I desired when I started a PhD at my university was to engage in activities that involve helping students with studies, international student welfare, admissions or scholarships. Thus, when I came across the advert for the study advisor role, I quickly jumped at the opportunity. Each week I meet with at most 9 students to coach them on study skills which includes structuring assignments, presentations, referencing and general encouragement. I am said to be 7 things in one: a listener, a coach, networker, role model, sounding board, critical friend and facilitator.
- Listener – Actively listen to their concerns and ask questions where I need to understand clearly.
- Coach – Give advice on a wide range of academic issues.
- Networker – Point them to other departments that can offer more specific help. For example to Career and Employability Services if they need advice on finding an internship.
- Role model – Essentially to ‘walk my talk’ and to reflect what I advise them in my own academic life and conduct.
- Sounding board – This is especially for PhD students. To listen to their concerns.
- Critical friend – To provide them with feedback in a constructive and friendly manner.
- Facilitator – To ask them strategic questions that would help them to think more deeply and draw out their own conclusions.
Since October I came on board, I can confidently say there are several things I appreciate about this role which assures me it’s the place I really want to be. There’s an indescribable satisfaction I get whenever I finish a session with a student—that feeling that I am contributing to something that could make a huge difference in someone’s career. Since I meet students from all disciplines and in different levels (Bachelors, Masters and PhD) who share a wide range of academic issues, it’s also helpful to my own study as I get to learn a lot on the spot. I find it to be a useful platform to develop several transferable skills for my future career such as the confidence to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. One phobia I’ve had in the past was ‘how do I initiate a conversation with someone and keep the conversation flowing such that it doesn’t feel awkward?’. Since I drive the meeting which is more of a friendly conversation, it means I get better at this and rather than put any pressure on myself to impress, I just enjoy the interaction. Hopefully, in the future, interviews would feel more like this—as if I’m having a conversation rather than being interrogated.
The experience has been exciting so far with the 7 sessions and 12 students I have interacted with. Acting as a confidant to students, I feel privileged to be bestowed such level of trust. Thus, I couldn’t use this platform to divulge any information about my interaction with students, whether it is personal details or illustrations that are attributable to a specific individual. That being said, I look forward to sharing with you the general ideas I have gleaned from this role in the future.
That’s a great one… I look forward to you coaching me as well…
Thanks, darling sis. You know I’m always at your service in that aspect.
Keep living girl… God got your back
Nice. keep up the good work!
Congratulations on your new role, I’m sure this will bolster your confidence and ultimately help you build new skills too. Lest i forget, nice writeup!
You’re frankly on point. Confidence boosting and transferable skills are some of the added benefits I anticipate from the role. Thanks for your kind words.