Alannah Vazquez from St. Joseph’s University shares Advisor Advice for Fall 2024.
What are you up to this summer?
I have had the opportunity to travel around to several institutions in the area connecting with colleagues to learn about trending topics and programming ideas! It has been exciting to be able to connect with other higher education colleagues outside of traditional conference seasons.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job is helping my students’ dreams become a reality. Nothing gets me more excited than to challenge students by saying “why can’t we do this” and helping to advise them to see their dream programming come to life.
Who/ what are you listening to, reading, or watching right now?
Well – I always have to watch New Heights every week to catch up with the Kelce brothers, but otherwise I’m constantly watching Criminal Minds after a long day!
When it comes to working with this current generation of students, what advice do you have for fellow advisors?
The best way to learn is from the students. I find that stepping into a new institution or role that just listening to the students who were there previously and learning how aspects worked before you came in.
What advice do you have for new advisors and professionals as they step into their busy fall semester?
Find whatever balance works for you. We all handle self care differently, so find what works for you and do that. You can’t fully give yourself or keep pouring from an empty cup. Know when aspects are rubber balls or glass balls, not being able to do everything is OK.
What advice do you have for new student programmers who are stepping into their roles in the fall for the first time?
Enjoy every second! Take a few seconds every program to just be in the moment and enjoy it yourself. Just because you are programming for others doesn’t mean you also don’t need to enjoy the program you host!
After months of planning, it’s finally event and show day! What’s your one absolute most important Babco show tip to share with our readers?
Dunkin! Babco runs on Dunkin, so making sure you are energized and ready for an exciting show! You are in amazing heads with the Babco team.