The 5 Questions: Mid-Level Professionals

Today's blog entry is part two in a three-part series entitled, "The 5 Questions." As I stated in part one, the intent of these questions are to get you to think. To reflect. To really take time and consider where you are at in your respective professional career. I also hope to crowd-source questions from my readers. What would you want someone who is a Mid-Level Professional to reflect on? This blog entry is focused on the Mid-Level Professional (4-6 years). The five questions are...

1. Am I Happy? Am I Taking Enough Time for Me?
If you read part 1 of this series, you know the same question is asked. However, think about the importance of this question. Are you happy? Our happiness impacts our lives in a powerful way. We spend a third of our day at work and once you have been in the field for 4-6 years, you really have to take a step back and ask yourself, "Is this for you?" Are you happy? Am I taking enough time for ME?

I will never forget attending NASPA during my earlier years in the profession and attended a session on work/life balance. The presentation itself was okay but I'll never forget one stat that the presenter stated. She stated that in higher education, 50% of your respective graduate program cohort will have left the field after 5 years. I found that shocking. Having now been in the field for awhile now, I understand why the retention is so poor. I believe part of the reasoning is this very question I have posed and the unfortunate realization that people simply are not happy. So, ask yourself, "Are you happy?"

One other point on this question that I think must be stated. It is okay to be selfish. Stop worrying about what others will think including your co-workers, students, etc. Too often people get caught up in the emotional reaction of others and forget to think about their own health and happiness. Be selfish when it comes to your happiness.

2. What Risks Am I Going to Take this Year?
At this stage in your career, you know your profession pretty well. You have a vast knowledge of the resources and skills around you. You should know with fair certainty your strengths and weaknesses. Thus, now is the time to ask yourself, "What risk(s) am I going to take this year?"

Put another way, how will you step out of your comfort zone? I mean, REALLY step out of your comfort zone. Maybe you will advise a new student organization. Maybe you will take on the assessment for your office. Maybe you will put in a proposal to present at a national conference on a topic you know very little about but it interests you. Maybe you will ask for a 5-10% raise in your salary.

If we are going into the deep end, maybe you will discuss with your boss this issues you have that you haven't discussed with him/her yet. Maybe you will finally take the leap into obtaining your Doctorate. Maybe you will discuss starting a family with your significant other. Maybe you will finally say enough is enough and quit your job. Maybe you will start your own business.

My suggestion is to write down a list of things you can do to step out of your comfort zone. Make it your "risks" list. After jotting down 5-10 things, circle the 2-3 that scare the shit out of you and focus on those. Why those 2-3? Those are the risks that scare you but will make you a better professional in the long run.

3. Who Can I Mentor?
Having been in the field for 4-6 years, now is the time to find someone you can mentor. Maybe you already have someone you mentor. Add another. If not, find a student/new professional that is eager to learn. Eager to listen. Eager to make you a better professional.

My two suggestions. 1) Read the book Greater than Yourself by Steve Farber. 2) Find someone that is slightly different than you.

Not sure how to begin mentoring someone? Ask your mentor! If you don't have one, then envision what you would want in a mentor and then become it for someone. The art of giving back will serve as a profound fulfillment in your life.

4. What More will I want in a Job Five Years from Now?
At this point, you have a pretty good idea of what you want in your job. What you like and dislike. The culture you work best in. So as you think about your future, ask yourself, "what more will I want in a job five years from now?" Sure, the easy answer is money but what else? Greater autonomy? Supervision? A seat at the "big" table?

You should always be thinking of your future so when the time comes, you are ready and know what you want that will in turn, make you happy.

5. Who Can Help Me Find Ways to Get More from My Present Job or Prepare Myself for What I Want to Do in the Future?
Simply put, who is going to challenge you? I mean, REALLY challenge you. Push you. Make you a little uncomfortable because they are pushing you to be a better version of yourself you didn't think was attainable. You need to find the person or people that are going to ask the "why" question a lot. To the point that drives you a little nuts but you know you need it.

Why is this important? Think of the best teacher/instructor/advisor you've ever had. I bet they were the person who pushed you to the breaking point but out of a place of love. When you think of that person now, I bet you smirk, smile or have a positive image. So, find someone that can do that for you now at this stage in your career.


As I stated above, I'd love to see what other reflective questions you have for mid-level professionals. Leave them in the comment section. Thanks for reading!

The 5 Questions: New Professionals

Over the summer, like many of you, I find myself reflecting on my work, my relationships and my life as a whole. One day while reflecting, I began to think about how often other individuals push us to reflect. Put another way, how often does your supervisor, friend or person in your life get you thinking about what truly matters in your life?

In my opinion, as you evolve in your profession, different reflection questions arise but aren't always discussed. With no scientific or theoretical backing, I'd venture to say we are asked more reflective questions as a new professional than we are as seasoned professionals. So, I thought I'd use this blog to provide a three-part "5 questions" series that provides five reflective questions for three different categories - New Professional (0-3 years), Mid-Level Professional (4-6 years) and Seasoned Professional (7-15+ years).

My hope is that these reflection questions will get you to think. To reflect. To really take time and consider where you are at in your respective professional career. I also hope to crowd-source questions from my readers. What would you want someone who is a New Professional to reflect on? A Seasoned Professional, etc.? This blog, part 1 in the 3 part series focuses on the New Professional. The five questions are...

1. Am I Happy?
A simple yet deceivingly complex question. Anyone can answer "yes" but can you articulate why? If your answer is "no," what are you doing to fix your unhappiness? Most of all, how often do you make excuses to tell yourself you are happy when in reality, you're not? As a new professional it is important to find what makes you happy and surround yourself with people that are going to make going work enjoyable. If you are not happy, stop making excuses and get yourself out of the toxic environment.

2. What Do I Want to Learn?
New professionals have various skill-sets and talents that they bring to their respective position. Yet, there is always room for improvement. There is always an opportunity to hone your skills and push yourself from good to great. So, what do you want to learn? Who can help you learn it? Most of all, how are you going to make it happen?

Also consider the environment you work in. You might know a great deal about your respective department but what do you know about other departments? Who is someone that isn't in your office that sparks your curiosity? How will you arrange a time to meet with that person?

3. What Professional Areas Do I Need to Improve?
Similar to #2, how can you improve in areas that will set you up for success in the future? How can you obtain supervisory experience? How can you be a better supervisor? How would you rate yourself in terms of assessment? Approachability? Fiscal management? Time management? Delegation?

Need help with this section. Ask your current supervisor the question, "what areas can you improve"...constantly. Ask your students. Ask your colleagues. Just remember, feedback should not be viewed as a negative, but a positive.

4. How Do I Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle?
New professionals are notorious for an unhealthy work/life balance. There is a reason the retention rate for professionals in higher education is so poor. Too often I see over-eager new professionals immerse themselves into their positions with the best of intentions. Yet, the long hours and lack of balance take its toll over time and it negatively impacts their lives. So, how will you ensure you are not one of those individuals?

I personally make it a point to go to the gym after work or do some level of physical activity (does kickball count) to ensure I am maintaining a healthy balance. Keep in mind, I used the word healthy, not physical. That works for me but it may not work for you. Maybe you knit. Maybe you have a family. Maybe you enjoy reading fiction books. Whatever it is, really think about what your work/life balance looks like and whether or not it would be considered healthy.

5. What are My Next Steps?
One of the best supervisors I have had in my life always told me that once you are in a new job, you should always be researching for your next job. At first, that caught me off guard but after thinking about it, it made sense. The reality is, we all eventually need to move on. New challenges. New responsibilities. New passions. So, what are your next steps? How will you get there? Who can serve as a mentor or guide for you to get there?


As I stated above, I'd love to see what other reflective questions you have for new professionals. Leave them in the comment section. Thanks for reading!